Photo by Pablo Guerrero on Unsplash
Let me begin by saying that improving your photography skills is a process. It will take tons of practice and dedication to learning new skills and putting them into action.
That being said, there are plenty of easy photography tricks you can use that will have a positive impact on the images you create.
Below, I’ve listed a few of my favorite photography tricks that you can start using right now, today.
Easy Photography Trick #1: Use Aperture Priority Mode for Portraits
Photo by A L L E F . V I N I C I U S Δ on Unsplash
If you shoot with a camera that has manual controls, set it to A or Av (aperture priority mode) for portraits.
Shooting in aperture priority gives you control over the aperture of the camera’s lens. The aperture controls the amount of light that enters the lens. It also influences the depth of field, or the amount of the image that’s sharply in focus.
Since many portraits have a nice, blurry background, you’ll want to set a large aperture, as that’s what helps blur the background.
Set your aperture to the largest setting possible, which is likely f/3.5 on a standard kit zoom lens, bearing in mind that the smaller the f-number, the larger the aperture opening.
Then, minimize the distance between you and the subject while maximizing the distance between the subject and the background. This will help enhance the background blur.
Get more details on aperture and depth of field in the video above by Chris Bray Photography.
Learn More:
Easy Photography Trick #2: Enhance the Appeal of Landscapes by Going Minimalist
photo by borchee via iStock
When photographing landscapes, it’s common to try to include absolutely everything you see into a single frame.
The problem with doing so is that it can create an image that looks and feels chaotic.
Instead, when photographing landscapes, take an approach of “What can I leave out?” as opposed to “What should I include?” in the frame.
photo by MarsYu via iStock
One way to make a more minimalist landscape photo is to use the first trick outlined above and shoot with a shallow depth of field.
Doing so allows you to create a much more intimate landscape photo that highlights a single, small detail rather than the whole scene.
photo by Everste via iStock
Another tip is to find ways to isolate the subject, as has been done above.
You can do this by surrounding the subject with negative space (i.e., incorporating a lot of sky into the shot) or, alternatively, by shooting with a longer lens to fill the frame with the subject.
Learn More:
- Best Camera Settings for Landscape Photography
- Beginner Photography Mistakes and Tricks for Avoiding Them
Easy Photography Trick #3: Timing is Everything for Macro Photos
photo by oluolu3 via iStock
If you enjoy taking macro photos of insects, flowers, and the like, timing is everything.
The best time of day for outdoor macro photography is the morning.
In the morning, you can capitalize on the beautiful, warm tones of the sunrise while also avoiding wind that kicks up later in the day. After all, you want your subjects to be as still as possible to get nice, sharp photos.
Likewise, insects are less likely to be moving about in the cool mornings, so your chances of photographing them are increased. Dew is often present in the morning as well, which can add an element of interest to your macro photos.
Learn More:
- A Step-By-Step Guide to Macro Photography Jargon and Equipment
- 3 Ways to Get Better Photos Without Buying More Gear
Easy Photography Trick #4: Take Photos With the Intention of Printing Them
Creating a photo doesn’t end when you press the shutter button.
Instead, your workflow should include processing the image and, in some cases, having the image printed as well.
All too often, we take photos with our digital cameras, only for those photos to linger on a memory card somewhere, never to see the light of day.
But when you create photos with the intention of having them printed, your approach changes. You slow down. You’re more purposeful with composition and framing. You pay closer attention to camera settings, focus, and so forth. At least that’s my experience.
Don’t just have any old print made of your photos, either. The special ones deserve a special treatment that turns them into a fine art piece.
For me, that means having large format canvas prints made.
I love canvas because it has a timeless look. The texture adds dimension to the print, and the thickness of the print gives it a visual heft that looks awesome on the wall.
I use CanvasHQ for my prints because I’ve found them to have the perfect balance between impeccable quality and quick turnaround times.
They use archival canvas, top-quality inks, and hand-made frames, so you get a print that does justice to all your hard work.
Think of the print as what brings your image life and allows people to enjoy that moment you pressed the shutter button as though they were there with you.
When you think of it that way, choosing a printing company is all that more important.
With CanvasHQ, you’re treated like their one and only customer. If you have a question or concern, a real-life human will talk to you. They’ll even offer suggestions for printing sizes and options, and they offer free touch-ups too.
It’s no wonder CanvasHQ offers a 30-day money-back guarantee...your satisfaction is paramount!
Give printing your images a try and see how this and the other tips I’ve discussed above can help you create better photos!