Learn Photography

Step 5 Taking Better Pictures

The only way to take better pictures, is to take more of them. Take your camera everywhere, and snap a photo of whatever peaks your interest. Then, you should show it to other people and get their opinions. Forums are a good place to do this.

A friend and I run this website together. It's small, but we have a few very good eyes there, who will help critique your images, and help you with whatever you need. Be careful what forums you get suggestions from. For example, Nikon Cafe is a good website, but I don't like it for sharing pictures. I find that everyone there is too nice, and praises everything you put up. A site like Phodeo will tell you what is wrong with pictures (nicely) and help you to improve them. As a beginner, stay away from sites that praise everything, or it will reinforce habits that aren't so good.

I'm also available to help you with anything you need.

Most importantly...have fun with photography. Take pictures of what you enjoy, and have patience.

Comments

[myheart11]

Hi I have read all of this stuff and i am trying very hard to understand. I know that just practicing wa ith the different speeds and lite settings is the best way to go BUT can you give me some suggestions I have a cannon eos i have a 55- 250 lens and try taking pics at my daughters basket ball game. they come out dark... I know the settings are off can you give me a suggestions to try and fix that

[Weissensteinburg]

So there are three things you can do to make the pictures come out lighter: decrease the shutter speed, increase the iso and increase the aperture. A flash will also help if you have one. Decreasing the shutter speed won't really work in an environment such as a basketball game where you have running/throwing going on. The slowest you can go without getting much blur is probably 1/150-1/200 and that's still pushing it. Increasing your Iso will give you added noise but is probably worth it. A larger aperture (smaller number) will decrease the depth of field but is also probably worth it. There's no guarantee you can get great photos in a large, dark room like a gym...your camera and lens are limiting factors, but those three adjustments will get you as close as possible.

[PPA Master]

What model Canon is it?
If I know the model, I can help you out with that sports photo challenge.

[hunnynspice]

great instructable!!!
did y'all know that the links that are on the last page of it, don't go anywhere?? just wondering.... have a good one!!

[Weissensteinburg]

 Thanks for pointing that out. Phodeo is no longer running, but the link to nikon cafe still works.

[venkatasuresh_g]

Its a nice quick lesson ,Thank you

[johnnyqwe]

Hi all am a newby and hope to learn from you pro's.Thanx for all the advice.