Article Directory :: Arts & Entertainment Articles Learning Photography - 5 Tips for New Photographers By Autumn Lockwood Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 16Jan2010 Word count: 546 Viewed: 325 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site So you've just picked up your first SLR camera. You've read the manual and surfed a few websites, and now you're ready to get out there and shoot some Pulitzer-grade photography. But before you hit the pavement with your camera in-hand, take a moment to read over these five tips that can help push your work from great to amazing: 1. Dump the Flash: While it's true that professional photographers often do use a flash or complicated light rigs, you shouldn't need a flash in most lighting conditions. Subjects shot without a flash often look more natural, and you'll get much greater detail and depth by using natural light. Additionally, ditching the flash for the first week or so will make you intimately familiar with how your camera works with light - an invaluable skill for the beginning photographer. 2. Turn Off Auto-Focus: There's no arguing that a camera that auto-focuses is infinitely handy and easy to use. However, focusing on the fly is an important tool in any photographer's toolbox. Considering the unfortunate fact that cameras do not understand your intent, it's up to you to make sure you're focused on the right thing at the right time. 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 community college or local art school and see how understanding the basics changes your work for the better. As a bonus, your teacher will likely give you assignments based on individual elements of photography you may have never considered. 4. Learn How to Use Your Camera: Before you start taking dozens of pictures, sit down and learn how to use your camera. No matter if you have a film or digital camera, you need to understand what the different dials and settings on your camera are and how you can 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 luck and timing as it is technology and skill. 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 no great secret to being an amazing photographer. The more you challenge yourself, the better you will become. If you start with a firm understanding of how your camera works and what it takes to make a decent photograph, the rest will come in time. Your camera will never change, only your ability to manipulate it. So keep your SLR close and never be afraid to experiment with new ideas! And remember: The most important photograph in the world is the one you are about to take. Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames.com and loves photography. Your Picture Frames makes it easy for you to find just the perfect frame for your photo or artwork. Check out our online frame collection and see our selection of gorgeous black frames now. EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here More articles by Autumn Lockwood

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