How you get amazing pictures
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Soldato
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exposure. The understanding and application of light.
Soldato
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A good photo is a combination of elements -not the least being the photographer. Understanding composition, the rules of thirds, golden ratios, leading lines etc and then knowing when to break them to a photos advantage. As Fstop11 said, understanding light and exposure and how different cameras and lenses effect it is also key.
Having decent equipment is really very important - if your glass (lenses) is of a poor quality (or IQ - Image Quality) and your camera doesn't allow you to shoot in a raw format then you will struggle. When a normal camera outputs its images it normally does it in a JPEG format which is know as a 'lossy format' because it applies an algorithm to the image to compress it to varying levels which can at times degrade the sharpness and clarity of an image. Higher end cameras allow you to export your photos in a RAW format - that being a 'non-lossy format' which then lends itself to better results from post processing.
As far as post goes, I don't believe you will find many photos on here from regular contributors that have not undergone a level of post work even if it's just a straighten, crop or sharpen pass. Typically we will boost contrast a little, enhance the blacks and boost saturation as SLR cameras do not apply this and the initial images come out looking slightly under saturated. Understanding how a computer views an image and how colour curves relate to what you see is also worth checking out.
As far as getting into photography? Get a decent bridge camera that will allow you to use a fully manual setup and also allow you to shoot in a RAW format. The reason why I say a bridge camera is that in the short term it will save you cash on having to buy lenses. The other option is to buy a reasonable low end DSLR like the Canon 1000D or the Nikon D3000 with their respective kit lenses. Just be aware that with an SLR you're going to be carrying quite a bit more kit around with you than with a bridge camera. It depends on how serious you are about getting into photography.
Hope this helps a little.
Having decent equipment is really very important - if your glass (lenses) is of a poor quality (or IQ - Image Quality) and your camera doesn't allow you to shoot in a raw format then you will struggle. When a normal camera outputs its images it normally does it in a JPEG format which is know as a 'lossy format' because it applies an algorithm to the image to compress it to varying levels which can at times degrade the sharpness and clarity of an image. Higher end cameras allow you to export your photos in a RAW format - that being a 'non-lossy format' which then lends itself to better results from post processing.
As far as post goes, I don't believe you will find many photos on here from regular contributors that have not undergone a level of post work even if it's just a straighten, crop or sharpen pass. Typically we will boost contrast a little, enhance the blacks and boost saturation as SLR cameras do not apply this and the initial images come out looking slightly under saturated. Understanding how a computer views an image and how colour curves relate to what you see is also worth checking out.
As far as getting into photography? Get a decent bridge camera that will allow you to use a fully manual setup and also allow you to shoot in a RAW format. The reason why I say a bridge camera is that in the short term it will save you cash on having to buy lenses. The other option is to buy a reasonable low end DSLR like the Canon 1000D or the Nikon D3000 with their respective kit lenses. Just be aware that with an SLR you're going to be carrying quite a bit more kit around with you than with a bridge camera. It depends on how serious you are about getting into photography.
Hope this helps a little.
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Also, because nobody has mentioned it yet...
Practice.
Nobody (except my insipid cousin) can pick up a camera and just take amazing pictures. You will find at first you can take a thousand pictures in a day and then only get 5 that you like. Dont be disheartened by this... it's how you learn. You look at those 5 images and you say "ok, why are these better than the rest? what did i do differently?". Then you apply that next time you go out to take pics.
Then, once you've progressed into your hobby you'll find yourself not even thinking about it, but you'll apply all these factors (the ones you've found yourself that represent your "style", and those mentioned above) automatically before you take the shot, and more and more of your batch of pics will be of a standard you're happy with.
It's not a fast hobby. You dont just spend £600 on a camera then become a photographer, even after reading all the books. It is, however, incredibly satisfying; especially if you keep all the pics you take and then look back to see how you've progressed as an artist.
Practice.
Nobody (except my insipid cousin) can pick up a camera and just take amazing pictures. You will find at first you can take a thousand pictures in a day and then only get 5 that you like. Dont be disheartened by this... it's how you learn. You look at those 5 images and you say "ok, why are these better than the rest? what did i do differently?". Then you apply that next time you go out to take pics.
Then, once you've progressed into your hobby you'll find yourself not even thinking about it, but you'll apply all these factors (the ones you've found yourself that represent your "style", and those mentioned above) automatically before you take the shot, and more and more of your batch of pics will be of a standard you're happy with.
It's not a fast hobby. You dont just spend £600 on a camera then become a photographer, even after reading all the books. It is, however, incredibly satisfying; especially if you keep all the pics you take and then look back to see how you've progressed as an artist.
buy an 800 mm lens like andrew, it'll be a talking point and the word awesome will be used
Soldato
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I don't need talent, I'm naturally awesome in everyway possible
LOL and astoundingly modest!!!
Exactly what Dampcat said - practice practice practice. And as Gaffer said - don't be down hearted about getting maybe 1-2 in every hundred shots as a keeper - the simple fact is that unless you take extreme care in setting up a shot you'll get stacks of duds for every good one - but when you do get the good one it's worth it!!
Associate
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Associate
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I started in photography about 18months ago. I started out with a LX3 Panasonic a so called prosumer camera. Much like what has been said it gave a good lead into using manual modes to learn how composition, exposure, apature and shutter speed can effect a photo.
After a year or so I felt like I had grown out of the LX3 and bought a canon 500D and since then I've spent a fortune on flash, upgrading lenses, filters and just about everything else I can get my hands on photographic wise. I still keep my LX3 in my kit bag as a handy back up or my evening camera if Im out and about on the town and I don't want to risk taking out the SLR so it's still gets good use.
Definatley a good shout to go with a bridge/prosumer camera
when I first got into photography I found the reviews on www.cameralabs.com very helpful to help me decide on my purchase.
After a year or so I felt like I had grown out of the LX3 and bought a canon 500D and since then I've spent a fortune on flash, upgrading lenses, filters and just about everything else I can get my hands on photographic wise. I still keep my LX3 in my kit bag as a handy back up or my evening camera if Im out and about on the town and I don't want to risk taking out the SLR so it's still gets good use.
Definatley a good shout to go with a bridge/prosumer camera
when I first got into photography I found the reviews on www.cameralabs.com very helpful to help me decide on my purchase.
I have no talent, I'm not awesome in anyway possible
Fixed
As mentioned before, practice, read up on photography / processing techniques and find your niche and most of all enjoy what you're doing.
