Starting out in photography can be overwhelming. There are so many terms and advice on how to capture the perfect image from shooting in manual vs auto, the type of lens you should be using based on your subject, and so on. But it doesn't have to be complicated.
Maybe you just bought for your first DSLR or have been a novice for some time now and what to take your skills to the next level. Learning the basics of photography is a great place to start... so let's dive in with this beginner's guide!
Photography is the art of capturing light with a camera to create an image. The basic principles of photography include understanding how a camera works, composition, and lighting.
A camera is essentially a light-tight box with a lens on one end that focuses light onto a light-sensitive medium, such as film or a digital sensor. The aperture is the hole in the lens that controls the amount of light that enters the camera, and the shutter controls the length of time that the aperture is open. Together, the aperture and shutter determine the exposure of the photograph.
Composition refers to the way that elements in a scene are arranged in the frame. There are many different techniques for composing a photograph, such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, and symmetry.
Lighting is an essential aspect of photography. The quality, direction, and color of light can greatly affect the mood and atmosphere of a photograph. Natural light, such as sunlight, can be beautiful, but it can also be harsh and unflattering. Artificial light, such as from a flash or a lamp, can be used to supplement or replace natural light.
Another important aspect is the camera settings and ISO. ISO is the measure of a camera's sensitivity to light. Lower ISO numbers indicate lower sensitivity, while higher ISO numbers indicate higher sensitivity. Higher ISO settings are useful in low-light situations, but they can also introduce noise (small speckles of color) into the final image.
There are many different types of photography, such as landscape, portrait, and still life. Each of these types of photography has its own set of challenges and techniques. And it's also important to consider post-processing your image using software like Lightroom, Photoshop or other alternatives.
In summary, photography is about capturing light and creating an image that tells a story. Understanding the basics of photography and how a camera works, composition, lighting, and camera settings will help you take better photographs and express your creativity.
If you are just starting out, be sure to subscribe as I'll be detailing the basic terms used in photography for my next post!
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