12 Essential Photography Tips

Photography is more than just pressing a button to take a picture. It's an art form that allows you to capture something special, tell stories and convey emotions. Whether you're just starting out in photography or already have experience, there are always new techniques and tips to discover that can help you to improve your photography skills.

From the correct use of aperture and getting the perfect lighting to optimal image composition, in this article we will give you 12 tried and tested professional photography tips to help you improve your photography skills and create impressive images.

We recommended using an aperture of f/8 in bright light conditions in order to achieve a balanced exposure and a good depth of field. It is particularly useful for landscape and outdoor shots, as it sharpens both the foreground and the background. Automatic exposure programs do not usually work well in bright light, therefore, manually select aperture 8 as this offers more reliable colour fidelity and exposure. If the exposure is still not ideal, the shutter speed can be adjusted and the ISO value needs to be kept low.

This rule applies to moving subjects. The more open the aperture is (i.e. the smaller the f-number, e.g. f/2.8), the more light will reach the sensor, which enables a faster shutter speed. This means that the moving subject will not be blurred but can be frozen. In situations where there is a lot of movement and an extremely fast shutter speed is required, it may be necessary to increase the ISO value in order to get enough light onto the sensor. However, the possible image noise that can occur at higher ISO values should be taken into account. In addition, use the continuous autofocus mode (AI servo for Canon or AF-C for Nikon) to focus on moving subjects.

The wider the aperture (small f-number such as f/2.8), the shallower the depth of field, which blurs the background and emphasises the subject. This will create a wonderful bokeh effect where the background lights appear soft and aesthetic. An open aperture is particularly useful when taking portraits to clearly separate the main subject from the background. This puts the focus on the essentials and minimises distracting elements in the background.

The more closed the aperture (large f-numbers such as f/8 to f/11), the greater the depth of field, which means that both the foreground and the background are in focus. This is particularly useful for landscape and architectural photography, where details in all areas of the image are important. With smaller apertures, less light reaches the sensor, which as a result means that the shutter speed or ISO value must be adjusted to ensure correct exposure. However, a slower shutter speed can cause camera shake, which is why a tripod is often helpful.

The golden hour takes place twice a day, an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset, when the sun is low and produces a warm, orange-reddish light. This light produces long shadows and creates a terrific atmosphere that is particularly suitable for portrait and landscape photography. During this time, the lighting conditions are softer and more flattering resulting in better photos. In contrast, the bright midday sun is often avoided by photographers as it creates harsh shadows and any darker elements will not be very visible and the bright light can end up dominating the photo.

The blue hour takes place at dusk after sunset, when the sky has a blueish colour and creates a magical, calming atmosphere. During this time, the colours are not as harsh and the light has a special quality that is perfect for atmospheric shots. When it's almost nighttime, you can use an open aperture such as f/2.8 to capture more light and preserve the magnificent atmosphere. A tripod can be helpful to allow longer exposure times without risking camera shake.

If there is no sun, the flash can help to illuminate the subject. However, keep in mind that a direct flash can lead to harsh shadows and overexposed faces, while the background often remains too dark. To avoid this, a diffuser can be used to soften the flash and distribute it more evenly. Alternatively, you can use the flash on a camera to indirectly point it at a wall or ceiling to diffuse the light.

If you prefer to take photos without a flash, then first open the aperture to let more light onto the sensor and then adjust the shutter speed. If this is not enough, increase the ISO value. However keep in mind that, image noise can occur at a certain point (from ISO 800 to 1600, depending on the camera). Modern cameras often have good noise reduction, but it is still advisable to keep the ISO value as low as possible. It is recommended to use a tripod to allow longer exposure times without having to increase the ISO value too much.

Use the rule of thirds to make your images visually more appealing and balanced. The image is divided into nine equally sized fields and important image elements are placed along the lines or at the intersections. This technique results in a more balanced and appealing image composition that will make your image stand out wonderfully. The rule of thirds can be used in all fields of photography.

Sometimes it is worth changing the angle, whether by changing sides, looking for a higher point or kneeling down to find a more interesting part of the picture. Different angles can present a subject in a completely new way and create exciting compositions.

Generally, the background in a picture should be calm and not stand out too much as you don’t want to avert attention away from your main subject. A busy or bright and colourful background can be quite distracting and reduce the overall effect the image should have. However, the opposite is often true for landscape shots, as an interesting foreground can add depth to the picture and make it more appealing. Make sure that the background complements the main subject and does not stand out too much.

If your digital camera can save images in RAW format, you should use this option. RAW files are uncompressed and contain more image information than JPEGs, which allows you to edit your images a lot easier on your computer. You can adjust exposure, white balance and many other aspects more precisely without risking a loss of quality. Although RAW files require more storage space and editing, they offer the greatest flexibility and best image quality.

You can find more useful tips and information hereon how to improve your photography skills.