Nigel Atkinson Photography

 

Tips for Better Photographs

 

In general, the more you do something the more you realise that others do it better. Photography is no different. Here are some tips that make sense from where I'm at:

 

 

1) Don't get worried about your equipment

If you have a working camera its time to think about photographs. As you progress you may decide to buy something else, but I'll bet you can do better with what you have. Remember that photographers are judged on their photographs, not their equipment.

 

Point and shoot cameras can produce great pictures. Though many enthusiasts prefer larger SLR-type photographs there really is no point buying one unless you are prepared to carry it around. The smaller your kit, the more likely you are to have it with you to capture interesting moments.

 

2) Be clear what you want from your photos

Why are you taking photos? What are your favourite subjects? When you get better at it, where are your good photos going?

3) Take more photos

The more you take, the more you can learn (if you look at them closely or ask others for their honest opinions). Look for variations in  perspective, light and subject. With people it often takes a few frames to get them relaxed. Taking more shots used to be expensive on film, but you still saved money if you followed tip 1! In the digital world people probably shoot too much and don't edit enough.

 

4) Go to a good lab

With traditional print film it also helps to get quality processing. I've had several rolls of appalling prints back from labs where they had only a fraction of the detail on the negative. You'll only appreciate this if you look at and treasure your negatives (and good labs tend to protect negatives more than bad labs.) Once you find a good lab, stay loyal!

 

The same also goes for digital photography. If you only look at images on a screen you should at least calibrate it. When you want prints you'll find it takes time to get really good prints from a home set-up, and it may be more efficient and cheaper to use a high-street or internet lab.

 

5) Take a good look at your photos

Photographers generally find it hard to edit their own work. How many people have shown you every photo from their holiday, good or bad? When you get your shots back from the lab (or digital equivalent) be hard on them! Throw out obviously bad photos right away, making a note of whatever mistake you made and vowing not to do it again. Now make a more critical assessment of the rest and only keep the very best.

 

5) Do something with your good photos

Now you're only keeping your best photos its time to show you value them. You can put them in a decent album, add captions, and even get enlargements to put on your wall. How about a web site like this one! You should also be keeping and filing the negatives/ original files because they are worth more to you.

 

6) Take notice of good photos taken by other people

Why do you like it? How was it done? Could you copy the technique? Are there books on that topic? A good start are the photographers in my links page.

 

Now when you show people your photos they will see better photographs presented well, and thus see a better photographer. Remember yet again that photographers are judged on their photographs, not their equipment.

 

I've learned much from the web, magazines and books. I also have much more to learn, but I hope you found this helpful.

 

 

Nigel Atkinson

 

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