How to Take Better Pictures

Nowadays, almost any camera can deliver flawless quality imaging if you know how to operate it. Moreover, you can even create the illusion of professional photos with just a few tips and settings. 

1. Adjust Shutter Speed

One of my favorite features is shutter speed time. The shutter speed is how long it takes for the camera to capture a picture. This is useful for action shots; you can take clear, still pictures without blurring using 1/2000 of a second. 

Or, you can do the complete opposite and exaggerate motion with 1/4 second.

2. Use Focus For Emphasis

Although the focus adjustment feature is helpful for enhancing clarity, it can be used to capture a clear focus point while ignoring everything else. This is not possible on cameras with only autofocus, but on DSLRs, focus can be manually adjusted. It is actually one of the easiest tricks, and can make extreme close ups look like art. In this case, blurring is no unfortunate mistake, rather a way to improve a photo.

3. The Miniature Effect

To make any scene look like it belongs in a diorama, the miniature effect is a very fascinating setting to try out. It focuses on one main point in the image and slightly blurs the rest, resulting in the picture looking like a toy, scaled down version. However, this works only with buildings, vehicles, and scenery captured from a higher point. This is actually an optical illusion.

4. Star-burst Light

Notice all the lights in the image are radiantly shining with rays encircling them. This is the starlight, also known as the star-burst effect. A camera can achieve this effect with simply adjusting the size of the aperture, or opening to let light through, to a larger size. This can be achieved at daytime, as well.

5. Silhouetting Figures

Silhouettes are created by placing the subject between the photographer and the light source. Focus should be on the background and a minimum of light should be let in. This will create a dramatic effect that focuses on the outline of the subject while ignoring the colors and textures.

6. Vivid Coloring

To make photos even more colorful, the vivid effect can exaggerate the pigment brightness of a photo. It results in beautiful, full-color images which have a wide spectrum of hues. 

Those are just a few tips that make everyday photos look spectacular. Remember, photography is art and it is important to be creative with your images. The average picture may be worth a thousand words, though with enough innovation and some editing, it is worth a whole novel.