1. Let’s talk about the Exposure Triangle, not just memorise it
The exposure triangle—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—sounds intimidating, but it’s really just your camera’s version of a light switch.
- Aperture is your focus. Imagine you’re at a cafe, holding your camera. You want to capture the perfect, creamy blur behind your friend’s portrait (that’s shallow depth of field), or you might want the entire cafe—from the barista to the artwork—to be in sharp focus (deep depth of field). Play with your aperture, the size of the lens opening, and watch the background melt away.
- Creative image idea:Â Capture two shots side-by-side. The first is a close-up of a coffee cup with a super blurry, busy cafe in the background (low f-stop). The second is the exact same scene, but with a narrow aperture (high f-stop) so the entire cafe is in focus.
- Shutter speed is your sense of time. One day, I took a picture of a waterfall with a super-fast shutter speed. It froze every droplet, looking like a static sculpture. The next day, I slowed it right down, and the water turned into a beautiful, silky cascade of white. You control the motion in your images.
- Creative image idea:Â Find a local fountain or a busy street. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the motion of people and water. Then, set your camera on a tripod and use a slow shutter speed to capture the motion blur of the same scene.
- ISO is your sensitivity to light. It’s the secret ingredient for low-light photos. But remember, too much of a good thing adds “noise” or grain. Learn where your camera’s sweet spot is for low-light shots without sacrificing too much quality.
- Creative image idea: Take a photo of the same candlelit scene using a low ISO and a long exposure, and then a high ISO with a fast shutter speed. You’ll see the difference between a clean, bright shot and a grainy, moody one.
2. Composition: Forget the “rules,” tell a story
The “rules” of composition are simply guidelines to help you tell a more compelling visual story. Once you understand them, you can break them to create something truly unique.
- Rule of Thirds: This simple grid helps you create more dynamic images. Instead of putting your subject dead center, place them along one of the lines or intersections. It’s an easy way to make a photo more engaging.
- Leading Lines: See that bridge railing? The long shadows on the pavement? These are leading lines. Use them to guide the viewer’s eye through your photo to your subject.
- Creative image idea: Look for natural leading lines in your everyday life. A city street, a row of trees in the park, or even the lines on a wooden floor can lead the viewer’s eye to a central point.
- Framing:Â Use your environment to frame your subject. Look through windows, under archways, or between tree branches. It adds depth and context to your image.
- Creative image idea:Â Find a unique way to frame a common object. For example, shoot a portrait of a friend through a window with rain on the glass, or frame a simple flower with the leaves of a larger plant.
3. Focus: What do you want your audience to see?
Your camera can be a powerful storyteller when you control where the focus lies. Don’t let your camera decide for you.
- Creative image idea: Place a key subject, like a toy, in the foreground and a background element, like a window, behind it. Take one shot focused on the toy and another on the window. The effect of shifting the audience’s focus is instant and powerful.
4. Lighting: Your most important ingredient
Great light can make a mediocre photo look magical. The reverse is also true.
- Golden Hour: The soft, warm light of sunrise and sunset. It makes everything—landscapes, portraits, and street scenes—look incredible.
- Embrace the Shadows: Don’t fear the shadows! Hard light can create striking, dramatic images. Play with how shadows fall on your subject to create mood and mystery.
- Creative image idea: Look for interesting shadow play on a bright, sunny day. Photograph a person’s silhouette against a bright sky, or find a patterned shadow from a fence or tree on a sidewalk.
5. RAW vs. JPEG: The creative choice
RAW files are like the raw ingredients for a recipe—all the information is there, ready for you to cook up a masterpiece. JPEGs are like a pre-made meal—convenient, but not as flexible for editing. If you plan to edit your photos, shoot in RAW.
- Creative image idea: Take the same photo in both RAW and JPEG. Open both in an editing program to see just how much more you can recover from the RAW file—especially in the shadows and highlights.
6. Post-processing: The finishing touch
Learning basic editing is like learning how to season your food. A little can go a long way. Programs like Adobe Lightroom allow you to correct exposure, adjust colors, and polish your images.
7. Tripod: Your best friend for sharp photos
A tripod is essential for low-light shots and capturing motion blur. It keeps your camera perfectly still, which means sharper, cleaner images.
8. White Balance: Capture the truth
White balance corrects the color temperature in your photos. Have you ever taken a photo indoors that came out with a yellowish tint? That’s your camera getting the color temperature wrong. Learn to set it manually and capture colors as they truly are.
9. Practice, practice, practice!
The only way to get better is to shoot constantly. Take your camera with you everywhere. Shoot the mundane. Shoot the extraordinary. Every click is a lesson.
- Creative image idea: Start a photo-a-day challenge. Find inspiration in your everyday life, and don’t be afraid to experiment with the different concepts discussed here.
10. Find your voice
As you practice, you’ll find what you’re passionate about. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different looks and techniques until you find your own unique style. Photography isn’t just about capturing what you see—it’s about expressing who you are.