Photography - An Introduction to the Basics
So you're looking for information and tips on Outdoor Photography? You have come to the right place.
This section is being written for the amateur shutterbug. You probably take pictures of your kids, animals or perhaps  the flowers around your yard.  We can’t forget about those vacation photos we all take. I’m going to give you a few pointers to take better and more Interesting photos.

It doesn’t matter if you have a simple snap and shoot camera, a good SLR or digital camera, there are a few things that are consistent with making a good picture. Composition and recognizing how to ‘build’ an attractive photo are probably the two most important things you need to know.

Digital cameras and software can allow you to crop and correct many problems with a photo.  No film is need and prices are becoming more affordable all the time.

However, I still love my film camera, granted I have to process the film but it makes me really think. There are more critical issues to deal with if you want your pictures to be good right out of the package. One other thing about the SLR I own, (Nikon F3 Highpoint)  I can take a photo even if my batteries fail……..Neat trick that I have used several times over the years to get a now or never photo.  Digital may be the future but sometimes old is good too. There is no right camera or wrong camera just different ones, learn to use the one you have.

The first basic consideration is Composition…. look through that view finder and really think about what you see. Not just the subject you have chosen to photograph but what is behind it, or to the side. Many times we get tunnel vision seeing only the subject we want to photograph. Later we find the picture has something very distracting in background. If you had been looking beyond your subject you could have repositioned and eliminated any problems.

This Water Lily is an example of 'composing' a great picture. The background has been eliminated by getting close and making just one flower and it's reflection the entire focus.

Mini animals in photos…how many times have you taken photos of wildlife, then found that what you ended up with are little blobs of tiny little critters. You have to get close enough to make sure you have something worth photographing.  With today’s digitals this is somewhat less critical. As the digitals will allow for more enlarging without loss of detail. However, the fact remains that if you want a truly good photo, you have to have something of quality to begin with.


People ..spontaneity is probably the most simple way to get really good pictures of people…Posing with everyone facing the camera with that ‘cheese’ grin just doesn’t produce a photo that will become a fun memory.
This requires that you be ready to snap and shoot at any moment. Some of the most fantastic photos are taken when the subject is caught unaware.
Photo courtesy of Mike Long
Light…will make or break a picture…you generally need to position yourself so the light is either behind or to one side.  On days when the sun is bright and harsh you may have to deal with hard shadows. Consider using a fill flash to prevent those strong shadows or if possible reposition into shade.
Occassionally you may actually want to have the bright light behind your subject to produce a dramatic back lit photo.

Or simply consider using that first light in the mornings or late afternoons. That type of light is so sweet and forgiving for the photographer, it is often the only time many professionals work.

Landscapes and scenics We all have taken a picture of some great scenic and afterwards it was disappointing. The reason being, there is simply too much there. It is usually wise to think small…what made you think that what you saw would make a pretty photo? It will usually come down to something like bright flowers at the base of a tree, or driftwood along a beach. Pick your picture apart and focus on a small area at a time. Sometimes you can get a number of great photos from an area that you would have gotten one mediocre picture.

Another trick is think small again.  If you are really looking and seeing you may find buttercups blooming close to the ground, or wild mushrooms growing from a mossy bed. Get down and photograph these tiny treasures up close and personal for the best and most dramatic effect.
Angles…When taking your pictures consider angles. Photograph up, or down, or cant the camera for interest.
When you experiment with these positions you will sometimes create something that is a stand out by simply changing the angle of view.

This photo is an example of adding interest and fun by simply canting the camera.
Water lily and its reflection
Photo courtesy of Mike Long
Cropping has been done to focus the entire interest into one small portion of a landscape. This will create a totally different feel than the original photo. For more information and a larger photo click here or on the photo itself