Photography is an interesting art form. It is a completely mechanical style of art, which is relatively modern. It is not only about taking photos, but also about the quality of the photo that captivates the viewer. A good photograph has the power to evoke specific memories, thoughts, or emotions in the viewer. Some photographs can elicit feelings of heavenly pleasure or peaceful satisfaction, while others may disturb and convey a harsh message. It all depends on the photographer and their skill in capturing these moments.
Just like any other form of art, photography also has two basic elements to focus on: the required skill and imagination. A highly imaginative person cannot be a brilliant artist without having the necessary skills. Conversely, a skilled individual cannot reach their full potential without being imaginative. In photography, one must focus on developing both of these fundamental aspects.
Coolmantra is going to share with you 5 points related to the very Primary Skills that one must have or develop if they are planning to start photography for any purpose. Here you go, and don’t miss the bonus one.
Hold on! You are not going to receive any technical camera operating skills in this article. Firstly, operating a camera is not mandatory when starting photography. Secondly, the best clicking device in the world is the one you have now. Photography is an art that requires a lot of thought about these two mentioned parts (skills and thoughts). Therefore, buying or operating a camera and knowing some cool camera terms won’t make you a photographer, but thinking will.
1. Holding Your Device
Firstly, you must check if you are holding your device properly or not. You may have the best or the latest DSLR camera or an old low-quality phone camera as your device, but without holding it appropriately, you can’t capture a good photo. Quickly check if your device is well-aligned with the horizon and the normal vertical line. You should hold it parallel to both the horizontal and vertical lines. You can enable the grid lines on your device to get an idea. There are some exceptions where angular holding is required to get a nice shot, but most of the time, the device should be held well-aligned with these two imaginary lines. Otherwise, it won’t give you a good frame arrangement.
2. Frame Arrangement
A photograph is an art where a limited area or space is given to you to capture a part of whatever is in front of you. This limited area or space is known as the frame. Therefore, you have to adjust everything according to your frame, keeping in mind that after taking the shot, you won’t have the chance to rearrange. You need to check (either through the viewfinder or the screen) which elements are coming into your frame. Try to exclude unnecessary things from the frame if possible. Also, ensure that your main subject is well within the frame. Here, you need to consider the proportion of your subject that fits best in your frame. Also, think about the part of it that is essential to be placed on which side of the frame. For example, when capturing a face, make sure to include the complete head of the model well within your frame. If your subject is far from your camera, add some depth of field into your frame if possible.
3. The Rule of Thirds
This is a technique for arranging elements within a frame. The frame is divided into nine parts with four imaginary lines, similar to a tic-tac-toe grid. The frame is divided into three sections horizontally and three sections vertically. If the object is point-like, you should try to position it at any of the four points of intersection. When the object is linear, aim to place it along any of the four lines. This positioning creates a composition where the object divides the frame into one larger and one smaller area (in a 2:1 ratio). Consider placing the object in a way that the effects or impressions (such as shadows, direction of eyesight, scatterings, etc.) are positioned in the larger part of the frame. When placing the horizon along one of the two horizontal lines, it is generally better to position it at the lower line if there are more objects in the upper part, and vice versa. To help with this, you can enable grid lines on your camera.
4. Minding the Light
Photography is all about capturing light. Just as light can change a person’s mood, it can also significantly impact the quality of a photograph. Consider the amount, intensity, position, and source of light that are influencing your photo. When discussing lighting, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of shadows. Adjusting your photograph according to the light and shadows present can lead to capturing remarkable shots. Experiment with capturing silhouette pictures by allowing light to directly enter your lens with the object(s) in between. By continuously exploring the interplay of light and shadow, you’ll develop a sense of when to opt for black and white versus color photography.
5. Angle, Perspective, and Posture
Here, things become more complex. For various types of photographs, the photographer needs to adjust the device’s angle accordingly. To capture special types of photos or in unique situations, the frame’s angle concerning the object should be altered. Sometimes, encountering a perspective where placing an object can be an excellent option. At times, capturing a perspective-patterned background from a different angle can result in an appealing shot without a specific object. However, this should be done in a controlled manner, involving time and careful consideration.
When photographing a portrait or figure, the quality of a photograph can significantly change with minor posture adjustments. In addition to experimenting with different angles, you should also guide the model to adjust their posture. For framing and positioning the object, there might be instances where you need to adjust your own posture as well.
BONUS: Editing
Editing plays a crucial role in photography. In situations where you may not have enough time or the ideal position to capture your desired shot through trial and error, editing can help salvage the photo. It’s beneficial to learn the basics of photo editing to enhance your photographs. However, always remember that editing should not compromise the good qualities of the photo. Your editing, if not exceptional, should appear natural.
Lastly, Coolmantra recommends taking more and more photos to improve your skills. As a beginner photographer, it’s essential to study high-quality photos by various photographers. Create more, observe more, and, of course, think more. Enjoy your photography journey.
