How to Learn Photography: Digital Photography for Beginners

Learn Digital Photography - Portrait Photography Tips

Portrait photography was once the realm of the professional portrait photographer but now most amateur photographers can shoot a reasonable selection of portraits without much experience. This is because digital SLR courses allow you to review your images immediately and make any colour or lighting corrections. So how can the average amateur take good quality portrait photos. Here's how.

1. Relax your subject

The difference between a professional portrait photographer and an amateur can be seen immediately by how relaxed the subject is in the photo. How to become a photographer will put a subject at ease very quickly. Without the ability to do this you won't progress much further in your portrait photography. So take the time to master this before attempting any shooting of your subject. There is one problem though, if you aren't a people person you are going to struggle in this field as it is focused people. So, either find a way to become more outgoing or choose another genre of learn photography.

2. Use props

This can be a contentious issue as some photographers don't like using props. I say whatever works, use it. The bottom line is that you want a great image at the end of the shoot and however you do it is okay. Now, it will be difficult to keep a supply of props for every kind of person so doing a bit of research prior to a shoot is essential. Ask the subject to bring in their favourite things, work or play items or just something that they'd like in the image. Children make this easy as they always have something that they are interested in or like.

3. Change your perspective

By simply changing the position you are shooting from will create a different image altogether. Don't be afraid to vary your height or angle. Shoot from low down looking up. With children you need to get down to their level and make sure that the camera is at the same level as their eyes and they are looking directly into it. So often images of kids are taken from above their eye level and they are just not as effective so remember this point.

4. Get in closer

We all tend shoot from too far away and rely on zooms. By shooting just part of a subject's face you immediately change the whole character of the image. Eyes of course are the most effective as they are the window to the soul, as the old adage goes. Remember that portraits are shot to make memories and a closer image allows you to see more of the person which is important years in the future.

5. Lighting

I can't even begin to scratch the surface of this subject as books are written every year on lighting. What I would recommend is that you get a good flash with a diffuser to break down any harsh lighting. Reasonably priced lighting kits are available for the beginner so explore online and in your local photography lessons Manchester shops for entry-level gear. And, don't be afraid to explore natural lighting, another huge subject.

Focal length is definitely the distance from the sensor to the center of the front lens element. Each time when focal length is doubled, you magnify the images 2x, 4x, or 6x. To learn the approximate magnification, simply separate the focal length of the lens by 50mm. Wide angle lenses are lenses which have less than 40mm focal length. Wide angle lenses are perfect to use for panoramas and interiors. If you want to look thinner in your photos, use wide angle lenses!