Photography Advice

PlatinumLiam · 4 Apr 2013 at 20:01

Hi all , I would like to get some tips from the great photographers that are on here in regards to improving my photography . I have been told my photo's are decent but when i look on here at phto's like the one's Raymond Lin took in HK i just dont think they have that WOW effect as most others i see on here do . I am going to buy a Canon 600D at the end of May and will also be buying new tripod , Lenses ect but having the best equipment doesn't always mean you'll get the best photo's . Any tips will be appreciated

D.P. · 4 Apr 2013 at 21:20

Buy "The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos", by
Michael Freeman. Read it carefully, and multiple times. It is the single best resource out there and should have a dramatic impact on your photography.

Also as a beginner it is valuable to learn the capabilities of your camera to a decent enough level such that you are comfortable in using all the features appropriately. Similarly make sure you can take technically flawless photo (no focus errors, no subject motion blur, no handshake, no overt noise, crisp images, control the exposure and highlights suitably). The artistic side will take time and experience to achieve, there are not many shortcuts, but getting flawless photos is something than just needs some understanding and basic skill. It will be a big help when your artistic abilities improve knowing that the photos wont have issues even if the subjects and compositions are pleasing.

PlatinumLiam · 4 Apr 2013 at 21:23

D.P. said:
Buy "The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos", by
Michael Freeman. Read it carefully, and multiple times. It is the single best resource out there and should have a dramatic impact on your photography.

Also as a beginner it is valuable to learn the capabilities of your camera to a decent enough level such that you are comfortable in using all the features appropriately. Similarly make sure you can take technically flawless photo (no focus errors, no subject motion blur, no handshake, no overt noise, crisp images, control the exposure and highlights suitably). The artistic side will take time and experience to achieve, there are not many shortcuts, but getting flawless photos is something than just needs some understanding and basic skill. It will be a big help when your artistic abilities improve knowing that the photos wont have issues even if the subjects and compositions are pleasing.

Thanks a bunch i'll have a look at that book

SDK^ · 4 Apr 2013 at 21:23

A lot of the 'wow' factor can be linked to the narrow depth of field (wide lens aperture) making the subject pop out of the image and the processing in an image editor. Tweaking the exposure, colour saturation, contrast and sharpness can change a bland looking image into something that really stands out.

PlatinumLiam · 4 Apr 2013 at 21:31

SDK^ said:
A lot of the 'wow' factor can be linked to the narrow depth of field (wide lens aperture) making the subject pop out of the image and the processing in an image editor. Tweaking the exposure, colour saturation, contrast and sharpness can change a bland looking image into something that really stands out.

Thanks I have 100 pounds worth of books in my cart that i have picked out so i should have a good knowledge shortly of using post processing programs and how to take good photos as well .

42zx · 5 Apr 2013 at 10:23

Aside from Raymond's processing, he was also using pretty specialized kit i.e a manual focus tilt shift lens that gave the photoss a unique look. Its definitely not a lens you would buy as a beginner, I'd stick to a nifty fifty so you can play around with shallow depth of field too get that lovely blurred background look.

PlatinumLiam · 5 Apr 2013 at 11:22

42zx said:
Aside from Raymond's processing, he was also using pretty specialized kit i.e a manual focus tilt shift lens that gave the photoss a unique look. Its definitely not a lens you would buy as a beginner, I'd stick to a nifty fifty so you can play around with shallow depth of field too get that lovely blurred background look.

Yeah , a friend of mine has that kind of kit and if you know how to use it then its gonna be great but for me i wasn't the best with the tilt shift lens

A nifty fifty is on its way

GTRacer · 5 Apr 2013 at 12:11

As for books, I much prefer picking up monographs/collections of agencies (Magnum are one) or photographers that I like over the technical stuff which can be learned on the web and with a bit of practice. A good starting point is The Photography Book (pub. by Phaidon) since it has a broad range of photographers in there with a few example photos, pick out a photographer you like and work from there, analyse their style, see what themes crop up in their work. Over time your taste in what makes you go 'wow' will refine and your ability to spot those things in real life will improve too.

Columbo · 5 Apr 2013 at 12:57

42zx said:
Aside from Raymond's processing, he was also using pretty specialized kit i.e a manual focus tilt shift lens that gave the photoss a unique look. Its definitely not a lens you would buy as a beginner, I'd stick to a nifty fifty so you can play around with shallow depth of field too get that lovely blurred background look.

Please don't forget the bloody talented artist stood behind the camera.