some good photography-taking tips?

"Pictures are not taken, they are made." Ansel Adams.

First, learn to ignore those who tell you to go out and just shoot and shoot and shoot and shoot. They'll tell you that that's gaining "experience" but in reality its seldom meaningful experience. Why? Because good photography requires thinking - thinking about the light, the composition, the exposure, the Depth of Field (DOF) you want to achieve. Since thinking requires time, if all you do is shoot and shoot and shoot and shoot then you aren't taking time to think. All you're doing is taking snapshots.

So if you want to improve your photography begin learning about light, composition, exposure and DOF. Here are some sites to help with that:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/

http://www.illustratedphotography.com/photography-...

http://www.cambridgeincolor.com/

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

When a scene catches your attention don't just stand there and point and shoot. Instead, look at it standing, kneeling, sitting, maybe even lying flat on your belly. Move closer. Back up. Move to the right. Move to the left. Try a landscape (horizontal) composition. Try a portrait (vertical) composition.

Think about whether you want a shallow or deep DOF. Think about how the light looks from your different points of view. Think about the exposure. A flower might look good in direct light but what if you get around behind it and allow the sunlight to come through the petals? This gives a stained glass effect. Sometimes, a subject in direct light might not be worth taking - until you get it backlit.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drifter45h/4521637213...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drifter45h/3581810196... Flat on my belly in wet grass.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drifter45h/2364791076... These early Spring buds were rather blah in direct light.

While you're doing all of the above you also need to remember to look at other elements within the frame that might be distracting. Is there a dead tree branch? Is the sky blah? Did some moron drop a hamburger wrapper or a plastic bottle? Any power lines in the background? If your subject is a person, is there anything in the background that will distract the viewer? Maybe a tree or pole "growing" out of their head? Any of the above problems can be avoided, usually, by simply changing your composition to eliminate or at lease minimize them. You may have to play garbageman as well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drifter45h/3991210245... Before settling on this composition I picked up 3 cigarette butts, a discarded tissue and a plastic bottle. I carry a small garbage bag and hand sanitizer for such special occasions.

So devote time to learning about light, composition, exposure and DOF and then practice using what you've learned to make the pictures you want to make. The more you think about what you're trying to do and how to do it the easier it becomes. The idea is to "Get it right in the camera" and thus minimize your time spent with an editing program.

To the best of my knowledge there are no contests or prizes for taking the most pictures in a day. There are, however, contests and prizes for people who make a good photograph. If someone says "I took a 1,000 pictures today" my first thought is "And how many did you delete? 900? 950? 990?" Quality trumps quantity every time. So develop the skills of a photographer, not a snapshooter.

F-stop, shutter speed, ISO, depth of field, focal point, rule of thirds. ARHHGGHH!! People don't realize just how much goes into composing compelling images.

I teach photography and have to say that struggling with the technical stuff can drain a person's creative inspiration and expression more quickly than anything else.

Take a course where others share your level of exploration and curiosity.

Join a forum and ask questions. Participate this way if you don't want to take a course.

Try these for a start:

http://freephotocourse.com/photography-forum.html

I came across this one a few weeks ago and like it because it's new. Lots of room for new questions to be posted and answered. I like it when something new is in the offing! I'm going to jump onboard this one.

http://photo.net/beginner-photography-questions-fo...

I've been using this forum forever and always find a perspective that I've not previously considered. Good info for sure from a lot of dedicated users! I'll keep using this one!

I prefer the in-person approach, as you can compare the emotional side of photography more aptly than through an electronic forum, and photography is as much about emotion as it is anything else. However, if you would rather be a bit anonymous these are great places to start.

David

It doesn't come down to tips or tricks, so much as knowing exactly how to get your camera to do what you want, and then knowing exactly what you want xD

Start with learning the basics of exposure. Look up information on Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO, and the effect each has on your photos. Then start shooting Manual as soon as possible. Learn the limits of your camera. Eventually, as I did, you'll feel that you've kind of maxed-out your camera's capabilities. That's when I upgraded to a DSLR.

I also recommend starting a photoblog. Depending on how much time you have available, you could do I daily post (like me), a weekly post, or some other time increment. Just make sure it's regular and you stick to the schedule or else it will never get updated again after the novelty wears off :) The blogging community is full of nice and helpful people who can really help you learn.

Other than that, it's just a matter of shooting and shooting and shooting. Experience is king. You'll learn as you go. The first step is just to switch it away from that "Green Box" mode :)

Good luck!

P.S. Get a free Flickr account - also a great community for a photographer to be part of.

Welcome, the photography world is a wonderful place!

First, you are going to need to the appropriate equipment. Especially if you are planning on using digital, you are going to be greatly limited to the camera, lens and flash equipment that you are using. Here are a few pointers to help you out along the way:

1. Don't be afraid to take a LOT of pictures in the beginning. Most decent DSLR cameras are meant to shoot at least 50,000 shutter actuations before they start to show signs of wear. This will not only give you more practice but also give you path to find out what it is that you like to shoot.

2. The lens is more important than the camera, and your eye is more important than both. What I mean by that is try picturing, through the viewfinder of course, what your subject is before hand and truly consider whether it is a worthwhile scene or subject. I know it sounds so simple but take a look at what you are looking at.

3. Buy the appropriate lens for what it is that you are shooting. In other words, don't buy a wide-angle lens to shoot wildlife. If you like portrait try finding a prime lens that is between 85mm and 135mm in focal length.

4. Controlling light is extremely important. I like to shoot a lot of natural light, but there are time when you don't have any other choice but to use flash, but use it in moderation. You want to be sure not to overpower your pictures with too much flash, try creating an image where flash does not look present.

5. Have fun! If you aren't having fun you are not going to be comfortable. Do your own thing, too. Look places for inspiration, but if truly want to be original, be yourself and create the pictures that YOU want, not someone else. Unless you are getting paid for it, then you do whatever the person says that is paying you. :-)

6. When you are unsure of exposure trying doing a bracket, if your camera supports. This will take several photos, usually of the same thing of course, at varying exposures so that you can choose the best one for use.

7. Try taking the picture right the first time. Too many people out there nowadays rely on software to solve all their problems, and this is the wrong way to go about it. Not only because you spend more time on the computer and less time shooting, but you aren't going to learn anything that way.

That is all for now ... but keep shooting and enjoy!

One of the best thing to do is try and think of a way to see something that most people don't! Take pictures from several different vantage points! Also, a very simple idea, don't center anything! Try off centering to get more in the background! Also make sure to keep your eyes open for neat things! A half empty smoothie cup or a pigeon sitting neat the fountain offers a lot of opportunities! Also remember to keep shooting! Sometimes the unplanned pictures are the best!! Take as many as you can and I am sure that you will be surprised!!

Tip # 1 - Read and refer to your handbook/manual.

Tip # 2 - See #1.

Tip # 3 - Practice, see and think.

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Rule of thirds.