“Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase” – Percy W Harris.
Photography can never be learned thoroughly; it comes by practice and perseverance. As one starts capturing images learning and unlearning happen daily. But some basic rules mustn’t be forgotten.
1. Rule of Thirds:
As the name suggests, the frame is divided into three equal parts horizontally and vertically. The intersection points of each square grid are essential to place the elements on those lines. This will help in a visual appeal and enhance the photograph.
2. Exposure Triangle:
ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture make up the exposure triangle in photography. A balanced triangle will give a more appealing image and sharp photographs. The ISO controls the camera’s sensitivity to light. Shutter speed controls the time for which the lenses shutter will be open while clicking a photo. Aperture controls the amount of light entering the camera lens.
3. White Balance:
To capture clear and accurate photos, the camera’s white balance should be adjusted. It is done according to the light being used to click pictures. Automatic white balance (AWB), Fluorescent, Tungsten, Daylight, Cloudy, Flash, Shade is the most commonly used white balance settings.
4. The Golden Ratio:
The focus is more on the centre according to this ratio. It is a ratio of approximately 1.618 to 1. It has been used for centuries by architects artists and can be found naturally in our surroundings.
5. Leading Lines:
These lines appear in a photograph showing the viewers’ attention from one part of the photograph to the other. The leading lines direct the viewers’ eyes to the main subject of the composition.
6. Depth of Field:
In photography, the depth of field (DOF) is the distance between the nearest object in the foreground and the farthest object in the background. A shallow or a deep depth of field can significantly impact a photograph.
7. Avoid Camera Shake:
Avoiding pictures looking blurred is the most essential and fundamental aspect of photography. To make sure the photograph is sharp and clear, one’s hands must be steady at all times. Using a tripod stand is also a great way to click clear images.
8. Shoot in RAW:
Starting to shoot in RAW will give higher resolution photos and let one have more control in post-production. The RAW format will not compress the images.
9. Understand Perspectives:
Try and click a photo from different angles to give it perspectives. The more you click from various angles, the more perspective you will get in a single photograph.
10. Avoid Flash Indoors:
Using flash indoors can make the photo look unnatural and harsh. One can use a higher ISO to replace flash, select the required shutter speed, and use the widest aperture.