Take the perfect photo with your DSLR. The main tips to help you find the perfect shot with a DSLR.
Steps
Step 1. Make sure your lens is clean and you are using a digital SLR; you also need to make sure the sensor is clean
It's easy to do and will prevent your images from having unwanted spots or spots. Use a cloth exclusively for the lenses. First, breathe on the lens and then clean it in a circular way. For the sensor, to reduce dust, always turn off the car before changing the lens and try to do it in a 'controlled' environment such as the back of a car. Basically, try not to change the lens on a very windy beach or in the desert! Many DSLR cameras have automatic sensor cleaning when you turn them off and on, which is very useful! Sure, you can always photoshoot inaccuracies in photos, but in videos it gets a lot more complex - unless you have a lot of free time.
Step 2. Read the instructions
It sounds boring, but a couple of hours with the manual and your machine in hand will guarantee you a quick understanding. The sooner you know how to fully use the manual function, the better. It is the only way to start deepening your photographic skills.
Step 3. Put the subject in the right place
If it's a portrait or a group of people, put them where you want them. Make sure there is nothing sticking out behind their heads, and consider the background. Ask the subjects to move closer or further away, and decentralization with respect to the frame can also work. Never be shy about moving subjects, it's the best way to learn.
Step 4. The frame constitutes 80% of a photograph
Look at pictures in magazines, watch movies, and notice the shots. You need to leave enough space above your head, but not too much, or the image may seem empty. Don't cut off body parts. Try not to position people in the exact center of the frame. Often your eye will get used to this practice and you will know what to do. The best lesson is that 'if it looks good, it's good!'.
Step 5. Use the right light
Lighting is really important and helps set the tone and atmosphere. Although the use of additional flashes may be a bit advanced, setting the built-in flash to the right level for the environment you are in can make a difference. This is where you go back to reading the 'infamous' manual. On many SLRs, a couple of clicks on the menu are enough to access the flash control. Learning how to do this will surely be helpful. If you have a DSLR, grab an external flash and practice using it with your camera.
Step 6. Check the exposure
Being able to control exposure and shutter speed manually will mean being able to open as much as you want and not as much as the machine thinks you want to open. When the machine is in automatic mode, it will focus on the dominant subject. For example, in a photo of your subject with a waterfall in the background, the camera will close the aperture to match the white waterfall, resulting in the subject being underexposed / dark. By learning to use the diaphragm and shutter manually (both of which affect each other) you will be in control and make decisions about which part of the image to expose to light.
Step 7. Study the Depth of Field
Learning the basics of depth of field (PDC) and how exposure ("F-stop") increases or decreases what is in focus, will extend your creativity to infinity. The shutter speed will directly affect your F-stop. Learning how different shutter speeds can affect your photos will also boost your creativity. Switching to manual focus for specific shots is also very useful, especially in macro (close-ups). It means you can decide exactly what to focus on.
Step 8. Have the car close at hand
Again, it might seem obvious, but photography is all about capturing the moment, and moments last a moment … So leaving your car at home or buried in your bag is never a winning choice.
Step 9. Light:
if you're shooting in the daytime and want the best possible photo, then use the sun to your advantage. Backlit photography can look great, and is very useful for separating the subject from the background, it can give a much more three-dimensional effect. However, be aware of the reflection inside the lens and choose if you want that effect. You can limit the reflection by using a shield or just your hand. Whenever possible, use a white piece of paper or a spotlight to bounce the light directly onto the subject's face. You will be surprised to discover the effectiveness of this method, and it will dramatically raise the shadows from the faces of the subjects, improving your photos.
Step 10. Try to use fixed goals
It doesn't mean rushing to buy the most expensive lenses, just set the lens to around 50mm, which is approximately the zoom of the human eye. Then, instead of zooming the car in and out, hold it still and move yourself. Get close to your subjects and lower yourself to their level. Don't always shoot while standing, just because it's more comfortable.
Step 11. Don't be afraid to shoot vertically
Verticality can be perfect for certain shots, especially portraits. Trial!
Step 12. When taking photos of people you don't know, make sure you smile
It sounds simple, but it is always appreciated. You're using their image, so that's the least you can do. It will help them feel more comfortable and they may even smile back.
