10 tips to improve your photography

10 TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHYValencia College

Learning Day 2015

I have no formal photography training or degreeI now practice photography professionally.

I’ll try to share a few tips on how I learned how to improve my own photography.

photograph courtesy of Jim Hobart: http://www.macbethphoto.com/

How it all started...

Capturing moments I never wanted to

forget has always been one of

my biggest motivations.

Everyone began to nudge meto do more photography.

Everyone would ask where I had my pictures taken.

Before long I began to pursue photography professionally.

photographing babies.It didn’t take long before I realized I loved

You really don’t need a degree —to take great photos.

TIP #1

Before I became a photographerI knew nothing about photography.I just knew I loved taking photos.

Things that helped me learn photography

http://kenrockwell.com/the best place to learn what camera or lens to buy

Things that helped me learn photography

I read lots of books to learn howmy camera works.

Things that helped me learn photography

I referenced tutorials and videosonline based on what I was trying to learn.

Need more proof?You too can learn photography.

Meet Hope.When this photo was

taken she was only

7 years old.

I took.Here’s a photo

my 7 year old took.Here’s a photo

And you really don’t need a fancy camerato take great photos.

Point & Shoot CameraHope takes pretty awesome photos with a

Point & Shoot CameraIn fact, she’s quickly becoming my competition with that

Ultimately, you are the one who determines

how great your photos become.

Learn how light works.

TIP #2

Light controls

everything.

Taking photos towards your light source

Will lead to silhouettes.

My photography uses mostly

natural light.

Trust me, It’s not always

as easy as it looks.

The most frustrating part...

Light changes all day.

The best times to take photos are in the hours just after sunrise and before sunset.

Sunrise will leave you with

softer cooler light.

Sunset will leave you with

warmer light.

The hour before sunset is

the golden hour.

Sunset makes your subjects

look like they’ve been

kissed by the sun.

Direct sunlight is the most harsh during the middle of the day.

Sunlight during the day leads to harsh shadows.

But don’t stop taking picturesbecause it’s the middle of the day.

Regardless of what time of day it is,begin to pay attention to the light

and your photos will improve.

When you find amazing light

take advantage of it.

Light can help you create

unforgettable photos.

Direct light creates shadows making some

photos more memorable.

This was taken a few minutes later

when the direct light was gone.

Soft light is amazing

On cloudy days.

Light near windows and doors provide great light.

Ambient light is usually softer.

Avoid making your subjects

look into the light.

If your subject squints a lot try the 1, 2, 3 trick.

Have them look at you once you count to 3.

Sometimes you may have to

Reflect, deflect & diffuse light.

No reflector

No reflector With reflector

Avoid using Flash.

TIP #3

(or learn to use other off camera sources of light.)

If you care about your pictures

flash on your camera.Do NOT use the default

Unless you want everyone to look like a

Possessed Unabomber.

Find a light source

Off Camera

Some places do not allow flash.

Learning to turn flash off can help you capture moments.

Learn to change your ISO

TIP #4

to take better pictures in poor lighting situations.

Higher ISO’s can help you take photos in low light.

Higher ISO’s can also lead to noisier photos on some cameras.

Learn how to change your exposure.

TIP #5

Exposure can help control how light or dark your

images appear

http://learnprophotography.com/bracketing

Learn how to change your focal point.

TIP #6

Depth of field can help bring

your photos to life.

Learn how to change your aperture.

TIP #7

To control depth of field you must understand

how to control your Aperture & f-stop

The smaller f-stop size allows more light to enter the camera.

The smaller the f-stop number

opens your aperture up to allow in more light.

Source: Digital Camera Tutorial: Aperture & Depth of field - Trusted Reviewshttp://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2006/08/17/Digital-Camera-Tutorial-Aperture-Depth-of-Field/p1

The smaller the f-stop number the larger your aperture and

the smaller your depth of field.

The smaller your f-stop number focuses on a smaller amount in your photo.The larger your f-stop number leaves more of your photo in focus.

Aperture is controlled by your camera settings

Most Digital SLR’s allow aperture control.Source images: Ken Rockwell, http://www.kenrockwell.com

When you can control your depth of field and focal point

You can focus on what you want.

Invest in good lenses.

TIP #8

Yes, photography can become an expensive hobby.Source images: Ken Rockwell, http://www.kenrockwell.com

You can also rent lenses from : The Lens Pal, http://www.thelenspal.com/Lens Pro to Go, https://www.lensprotogo.com/The Lens Depot, http://thelensdepot.com/

Shoot from more than one perspective.

TIP #8

My triathlete friends jokingly have referred to me as a “sniper”.All that military training was worth it – many of my best photos are taken from this perspective.

“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.”—John Swift

Thanks to my colleague

Josh Murdock for some of these

behind the scenes photos.

I’ve been known to climb on walls and

trees to capture some of the best moments.

I’ve taken great risks to capture the moments I have taken over the years.

Taking risks makes moments that much more memorable.The waves crashed on the shore and me a moment later. I was drenched up to my hips by the ocean.

Want to know how you get better at photography?

Take lots of pictures.

TIP #9

You take

lots of photos.

And you keep taking

lots of photos.

It’s better to take too many photos than to miss capturing moments.

And before you know it your photos will improve.

In 2009 I challenged myself to take one photo of each person in our family every day of the year.

My 365 project helped me improve as a photographer.

http://www.picturemosaics.com/Mosaic created by

It may take hundreds or thousands of photos before you realize

the most memorable moments can’t be staged.

You don’t plan

for moments like this.

The best moments aren’t staged.

They just happen.

Shoot fast & often because moments

can’t be recreated.

Yes, sometimes the best moments...

They just happen.

And what do you do when your subjects

just won’t cooperate?

Yes, you

keep taking pictures!

But sometimes giving them time & space

leads to better pictures.

Candid moments usually make

the best pictures.

No matter what age they are...

It helps to let them be themselves.

And whatever you do, please...

stop saying cheese.

Learn photoshop.

TIP #10

When you can’t take ONE perfect photo.You rely on photoshop to help you.

Rarely are photos perfect straight

Out of your camera.

Photoshop can help make

a good photo great.

Yes, some situations even

make me want to give up.

With a little patience and help from photoshop

amazing memories are captured.

“You don’t take a photograph, you

make it.”—Ansel Adams

www.amandakern.comwww.facebook.com/amandakernwww.facebook.com/amandakernphotographywww.twitter.com/amandakernwww.pinterest.com/amandakernwww.instagram.com/amandakernwww.slideshare.net/amandakern

email: akern@valenciacollege.edu

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Questions?