Learning Photography - Five Tips For New Photographers

So you've just gotten your first single lens reflex camera (SLR)

. You've skimmed through the manual and surfed a few websites and now you're ready to get out there and start taking pictures. But before you start shooting dozens of images, take a moment to read over these five tips that can really improve your images with just a little practice.

1. Dump the Flash: While it's true that professional photographers do use a flash or complicated flash setups, you really don't need a flash in most lighting conditions. Subjects taken without a flash often look more natural and will have much more detail and depth by using natural light. By getting rid of your flash for a week or so it will make you intimately more familiar with how your camera works with light - an invaluable skill for the beginning photographer.

2. Turn Off Auto-Focus: There is no arguing that a camera that auto-focuses is super easy to use and convenient. However, focusing in a hurry is an important skill for every photographer. Considering the fact that the camera doesn't know your intent, it is up to you to make sure you're focused on the right thing. It is incredible how unique and interesting an image can be when you allow the focus to move out of the direct center of the frame, so set this one to manual for a while.

3. Take a Photo Class: You can buy all the books in the world and browse the internet for days, but the absolute best way to learn about the basics of photography is in a classroom. Find a class at a local community college or adult school and see how learning the basics can really improve your photos. As an extra bonus, your teacher will often give you photo assignments based on different elements of photography that you may have never considered.

4. Learn How to Use Your Camera: Before you start taking hundreds of photos, take time and figure out how to use your camera. No matter if you have a digital or film camera, you need to know what the different dials and settings on your camera are and how to use them. Nothing is worse then having an opportunity at a great shot and missing it because you couldn't get the camera to cooperate.

5. Shoot, Shoot, Shoot: This may seem obvious, but if you're interested in becoming a "great" photographer, you'll need to shoot lots and lots of photos. The more you shoot, the better you'll get. Photography is often as much about timing and luck as it is skill and technology. Even "great" photographers only average three or four great shots at a time. It's far worse to miss a shot than take too many!

There is really no one secret to being a great photographer. The more you challenge yourself, the better you will become. If you start with a solid understanding of how your camera works and what it takes to take a good photo, the rest will come with practice. Your camera will never change, only your ability to manipulate it. So keep your SLR close and have fun experimenting with new ideas! And remember: The most important photograph in the world is the one you are about to take.

by: Autumn Lockwood

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