Top Tips to Becoming a Professional Amateur Photograher

We are in an age when just about every photo that we take ends up online, and just about every person fancies themselves to be a photographer. Obviously there is nothing wrong with that, but for those of us with an interest in photography, there is suddenly a lot more competition to deal with, and thus more work to make it stand out.

So whether you take pictures for fun, or you have a future career in mind, it is worth working on perfecting your skills and becoming the best “professional” amateur photographer there is. With that is mind, here are some photography basics to get you started.

Step 1: Using the Right Tools

You might be able to take pictures with just about anything with a screen these days, but just because it points and shoots, doesn’t mean it is a good camera. If you are taking all of your pictures with a phone, you will sacrifice a lot in quality. A good camera is a must, and depending on how seriously you are taking your photography, you may want to spend some time researching a the best camera. Check a number of different sources, and keep checking back every few days, in order to get the best deals.

Step 2: Perfecting Your Technique

Photography is an art that takes some real training and practice. However, having said that, there are a few basic rules that an amateur photographer can follow in order to improve their pictures:

• The rule of thirds – imagine that your picture is divided up into thirds, both vertically and horizontally, and place the most important elements of your photograph where those lines intersect.

• Perspective – remember to work with perspective. Taking a picture from an odd angle can make proportions look odd, and it might not be the best option for a portrait. However, when taking some photos it might just work to give a photo more character. You can also use shapes and lines to create a more artistic shot.

Step 3: Editing

Of course, photography rarely ends with the taking of the picture. The right kind of editing will give the finished product the feel that you want. This can include altering the contrast to make it more defined, cropping the photo to make it a better size, or even editing out people who stepped in your shot. You can even play around with the colors that are in the photo, if say, the subject of the photo wanted to wear a different shirt that day! With the right editing, you can do just about anything that you want with your photo, tweaking it until it is the perfect picture that you want. So download your favorite picture editor and get editing!

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Jessie Jaureguy

Jessie is a technical consultant and interior decorator living in Seattle. She enjoys web design, Pantone colors, and helping people find their own personal office zen.

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