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Tips for Making Your Photographs Look Professional

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Photography is an art and with the hi-tech smartphone in our hand, all of us have metamorphosed into artists. We know that duck-face is not flattering and selfies look great in soft light. Also a twerk does not really make us ordinary mortals look cool. Professional photography lays emphasis on your best features and accentuates them. In a great snap the angles are perfect and the lighting is just right. The picture dramatizes a feeling or a mood, and conveys it in the most beautiful manner. While taking photographs is easy, taking good photographs certainly isn’t. Making them look extraordinary is even more difficult. In this post, we share with you some tips on taking photographs like an expert.

1) Try to Get Close

Experts say that getting close to the subject enhances the appeal of the pictures. If you feel that your lens is not capturing any action, try to get closer to the scene or the subject. You will soon get the right shot with the right expression and feeling. This holds true when you are capturing foreign cultures and people as well. You may have to look really close for the images to pop with flavor.

2) Light up Right

Professional photographers know how to use lighting to their advantage. Selfies are best taken in a soft and ambient light. The LED flash on smartphones does not reflect a healthy hue on the subject. The advancement in mobile technology does not do much to negate the LED effects. To get warm and more natural images, it is best you learn to use natural lighting and work with it to get the best picture. With experience you will learn to evaluate how the light interacts with the subject and capture the most flattering angle.

3) Use Flash to Your Advantage

Flashes are not meant to be used while clicking pictures at night or in low-light areas alone. Sunlight often throws harsh shadows on the face when you are trying to click a picture outside. You can even out the shadows by using a flash to brighten the dark areas and have a uniform exposure. Shady areas are really good spots to click pictures. There is no harsh and uneven contrast, and your subject does not squint into the camera. Portrait photographers recommend shady spots for their warm natural light. Even selfies look great in these conditions.

4) Slow Down

Before you click a picture, it is important you slow down and look at what you see through the lens. There may be many things going on, therefore first decide how you would like to place your subject in the surroundings, and what you want the picture to convey. Also, another tip from the best photographers is to always click away, even when you are not out with your lens. Envisage how you would best capture what you see and observe. This helps you develop the knack, intuition or gut feeling, or simply the photographer’s eye, that is so essential to identify the special moment, the short span of time when everything comes together for the perfect shot.

5) Know Your Gadgets

Whether it is the latest DSLR or the ‘best smartphone for selfies’, they come with plenty of features and specifications to aid photography. But all cameras and phones are different. Spend some time going through the user’s manual to get well-acquainted with your gadget. This will help you get an idea of all the fabulous things your camera or phone is capable of.

6) Never Underestimate Your Ability

You do not need the best camera or the most expensive smartphone to click a great picture. Some of the most amazing photographs seen in recent times have been clicked by amateurs on ordinary phones. Invest in some good books on photography. They may not teach you the art but the more pictures you see and the more you learn about the technical aspects, the better your photos, portraits and selfies will turn out to be.

7) Background Matters

The background can make or mar a photograph. A dirty kitchen sink, a waste bin or the public urinal does not provide a good background for the perfect selfie. They are too distracting, unpleasant and maybe, even disgusting. A selfie is about you, so decide on how you would want to be seen, especially since you will be sharing the picture on social platforms. Make sure you are clicking the picture with the right background. It should be in sync with the mood and the story you are trying to tell.

8) Don’t Zoom on Smartphone

Smartphones have a much-used zoom function. Experts suggest you don’t use it too much, because it just deteriorates the quality of the image. The lens is just extrapolating what you see, and bringing it too close for comfort and adversely affecting a decent shot. Smartphone lenses have a good resolution, mostly 8 megapixels and sometimes even more. This allows you to crop substantially and still be left with a good high-resolution picture. So don’t zoom, but crop for the perfect picture.

9) Don’t Taken the Beaten Path

Almost every teenager uses Nashville and Earlybird. The results are uniform and you end up having boringly similar pictures on Instagram. So why not go the professional way? Ditch the popular filters and go for full-on photo editing apps like SnapSeed (iPhone, iPad, Android), Photoshop Express (iOS, Android), Repix (Android, iOS), Pixir Express(Android, iOS) and VSCO Cam (Android, iPhone).

10) Return the Favor

If you love clicking pictures while travelling, remember that to get the best photos you need to include the natives or the local residents. They help to enhance the character and the soul of rugged mountains and lonesome valleys. But while clicking pictures of strangers be courteous and grateful. Remember that they are doing you a favor by posing for photos. Chocolates for kids and a thanks to adults should be your way of returning the favor.

11) Be a Part of the Wider Community

There are several online forums and communities where you can publish your work and take part in discussions. Being a part of such groups enhances your knowledge and understanding of the art. You will find inspiration, information and support as well as come to know of opportunities for growth in your field.

Conclusion

Photography is a beautiful and powerful form of art. It offers scope for constant learning, evolution and improvement. So pick up your camera and happy clicking!

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