Capturing Photos Effectively

How To Capture Photos Effectively Using Any Camera

Have you thought about being a photographer? Or perhaps wanting to take better photos, but you may not have the money to buy an expensive camera? Well I've got an answer for you. Here is a manual that will help you take photos effectively using any camera. Why should you save money to buy an expensive camera, when you can use your phone or any digital camera? This manual will demonstrate how to capture images in the most effective and efficient way possible.

Basic Steps

Open the camera app on the phone or turn on the camera
Go to settings: turn on gridlines if you have it
Gridlines will help you balance your photo
Go back to the camera
Adjust brightness according to available lighting
Make sure the subject is as clear as possible
Then shoot

Understanding Your Camera

1. Check out camera features. Use them to see how they work

2. Go into settings. Explore what it can do

DSLR Cameras: Basic Settings
1. Using the automatic setting is a quick and easy way to start shooting
Auto mode controls the shutter speed, aperture and ISO

2. Using Manual mode helps produce strong images as well
a. When using manual mode, the camera controls the ISO while the photographer manually sets the aperture and shutter speed for good exposure.
b. Exposure includes ISO, aperture and shutter speed.
c. ISO is how sensitive the sensor in the camera to the light source. the higher the ISO, the brighter the image, The brighter the light source the lower the ISO should be.

d. You can find the ISO in your settings.

e. The Aperture is the f/number, as shown below. The aperture is the how wide the lens are opened to capture light. Furthermore it is how much light is captured. The smaller the f/ number, the more light is allowed. Vice versa. A smaller aperture is used best when light source is low.

f. The shutter speed is the amount of time the image sensor is exposed to light comes through the aperture to the sensor.
Shutter speeds are shown in fractions of a second like ⅓, 1/20, 1/40, 1/80, 1/100 etc.

g. The Meter is great for showing how exposed a photo is. When the pointer is in the middle or close, it shows that a photo is well-exposed. (some camera may use similar display). The further on the right the pointer is, the more exposed it is--overexposed. Vice versa for the left sideThe circle on the left of the photo above shows meter reading. It shows that the photo is overexposed.

Taking The Photo

1. Make sure you focus the camera on the image being captured
a. The image does not have to be centered. (depending on the effect you are trying to get).
b. If the subject is not centered, make sure there are no objects or person that may distract the beholder. (This includes irrelevant items).
i. Bright colors can be a distraction to the image if it does not have a story within the photo.

Yea, that person in the red orange is a distraction. If you in a hurry, try your best to avoid distracting things and colors.

2. To make images stand out better, place image against contrasting background

3. Check sources of light
a. A light source should not be behind the image unless it serves the function of an effect. For example, taking a silhouette.

b. Look for good lighting. Avoid bad lighting. Below shows bad vs. good lighting.

This one isn't that bright but it all depends on the effect you are trying to achieve.

4. Practice
5. Different angles create depth
6. Find anything that captures your eyes- Anything ex. A tree

It's all about capturing the image in the efftective and efficient way