Normal rules for a good snap?

[Jonesychickx]

Can anyone tell me the normal rules for taking a good photo, as I just tend to like the look of something and snap it...sometimes it works and sometimes not!!

 

[Big Mike]

If it were that easy, everyone would be creating masterpieces everyday.
Creating 'good' photos is a lifelong pursuit.

I'd suggest you start by learning the basics of "exposure". Learn about shutter speed, aperture and ISO...what they do for a photo and how you can use them to get the results you want.

 

[KmH]

Also study visual image composition, and graphic design.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Cambridge is a great start Digital Photography Tutorials

 

[cgipson1]

The term "SNAP" is usually considered to be derogatory, much like "snapshot". Many of us will not even bother looking at or CC'ing posts that have "snaps" in them... as the the term usually means an image that was taken quickly without any thought given to it. Just thought I would let you know so that you can choose whether you use it in the future to describe your images.

 

[orb9220]

Yep as pointed out above there are no easy way to make great images except thru dedicating time & discipline to learning photography.

1) As pointed out learning the exposure triangle of Aperture,Shutter Speed & Iso
2) Learning your camera it's abilities & limitations intimately ditto...for each lens used.
So you can concentrate on composition.
3) It's all about Learning the light Highlights,Shadows Details + Composition = Image vs. just snapping a snapshot.
4) Develop your Mind's Eye and how you see things even when you are out & about without the camera. We miss so much that would make an outstanding image that goes unnoticed. Have to re-train ourselves in seeing what isn't normally noticed or ignored.
5) Composition Study & Learn from others investigate and study their images. Why are they great? What makes them interesting?
6) The most important GET Out there and Shoot! the more the better. None can master the medium just reading about it or on just the weekends or once a week sort of thing.

It is a slow intensive learning that is always ongoing but very rewarding experience.
If you are not getting pleasure & joy doing it. Then find another hobby that does.

Is Not an easy checklist thing that you can pick up in a day,week-end or month kind of thing.
As that is what P&S camera's are for.
.

 

[mishele]

After reading this you can go "Pro"! Enjoy!!
Composition and the Elements of Visual Design

 

[Village Idiot]

As one person I've heard from recently so believes, it's all in the equipment. You'll not be good until you have $30,000 in cameras, lenses, and lighting.

Or just play around in photoshop

 

[TheLost]

Strange... My cameras go *CLICK*. It's probably why i take awesome photos! :mrgreen:

 

[amolitor]

After reading this you can go "Pro"! Enjoy!!
Composition and the Elements of Visual Design

Man, that stuff on Dominance and Subordination isn't what I expected.

AT ALL.

 

[Derrel]

LOAD! FORMAT! METER! AIM! FIRE!

 

[imagemaker46]

As one person I've heard from recently so believes, it's all in the equipment. You'll not be good until you have $30,000 in cameras, lenses, and lighting.

Or just play around in photoshop

In some cases having "All" the right gear can make a difference, same as having the best engine "Can" make a difference, ultimately it will still be the person using the gear, regardless of the cost.

 

[Derrel]

Again, V-I....three lights, a prime, and a bottle of tequila, right??? Imagemaker46 has a good point--at times, the "right gear" makes one heck of a difference...it really,really CAN open up possibilities. Even been inside the cockpit of an aircraft with nothing wider than a 35mm lens??? Pretty much USELESS compared to say, a 10-22mm uber-wide zoom... Ever shot night-time high school football under utterly craptastic lights with soccer-mom gear??? Like say, an f/4.5~5.6 zoom lens? Why did you spend all that money on Dyna-Lite packs and heads? Would Yongnuo's cheapies not cut the mustard? What? Did you need the lightest,smallest,best location packs and heads???

Come on V-I....let it go....Kerby and you arguing back and forth was fun in THAT thread...but jeeze...

 

[amolitor]

Oh, you just want some simple rules of thumb for getting snapshots better?

- Get in close, but don't cut off their heads or hands.

- Put the subject anywhere but the center, unless it's something very symmetrical and you like the symmetry aspect.

- If the subject is a person or anything else that can look, have them looking across the frame, not out of the frame.

- Get the eyes in focus.

That should make things better.

 

[KmH]

Turn the camera sideways for tall narrow subjects (vertical framing).