How to take good pictures: 5 Photography Tips For Beginners
Starting your photography journey can be both exciting and overwhelming.
Here are five essential tips for beginners to help you get the most out of your photography journey:
Starting your photography journey can be both exciting and overwhelming.
Here are five essential tips for beginners to help you get the most out of your photography journey:
1. Understand Your Camera Settings
Aperture: Controls the depth of field. A wide aperture (low f-number) creates a shallow depth of field, ideal for portraits. A narrow aperture (high f-number) keeps more of the scene in focus, which is great for landscapes.
Shutter Speed: Controls how long the camera's sensor is exposed to light. A fast shutter speed freezes motion, while a slow shutter speed can create motion blur.
ISO: Adjusts the camera's sensitivity to light. A low ISO is best for bright conditions, while a high ISO can help in low light but may introduce noise.
2. Study Light
Golden Hour: The hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset offer the most flattering natural light for photography. The light is soft and warm, creating beautiful shadows and highlights.
Natural vs. Artificial Light: Experiment with natural light and artificial light sources. Learn to manipulate light using diffusers, reflectors, and other tools to achieve the desired effect.
3. Learn the Basics of Composition
Rule of Thirds: Imagine your image is divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. Place the important elements along these lines or at their intersections.
Leading Lines: Use natural lines in your scene (like roads, rivers, or fences) to guide the viewer’s eye toward the main subject.
Framing: Use elements within your scene to create a ‘frame’ around your subject, which can add depth and focus.
4. Practice Regularly
Daily Practice: Take your camera with you and shoot every day. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become with your camera and the principles of photography.
Challenge Yourself: Set specific goals or themes for your photography sessions to push your boundaries and learn new techniques.
5. Edit Your Photos
Post-Processing: Learn basic editing skills using software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. Editing can enhance your photos, correct exposure issues, adjust colors, and crop images for better composition.
Develop a Style: Over time, you’ll develop a personal editing style. Consistency in editing can help create a recognizable look for your work.
Additional Tips:
Join a Photography Community: Engage with other photographers through online forums, social media, or local clubs. Sharing your work and receiving feedback can be incredibly valuable.
Study the Work of Others: Look at the work of renowned photographers to understand different styles and techniques. Try to analyze what makes their photos compelling.
By focusing on these fundamental tips, you'll build a strong foundation and continuously improve your photography skills. Enjoy the journey and keep experimenting!
Press credentials, why every photographer should have them, and how to get them.
A press pass and a media pass are both credentials that allow photographers to access certain events or locations that may otherwise be off-limits to the general public. However, there are some key differences between these two types of passes that photographers should be aware of.
Photo of Press Press ( Press Credentials) which include the Journalist's affiliation and expiration date of Press passes
A press pass and a media pass are both credentials that allow photographers to access certain events or locations that may otherwise be off-limits to the general public. However, there are some key differences between these two types of passes that photographers should be aware of.
Press passes are typically issued by a government agency, such as a city or state press office, and allow the holder to cover news events, such as press conferences or political rallies, as a representative of a specific news organization. Press passes are typically only issued to journalists who work for established news organizations, and they may require the photographer to show proof of employment, such as a business card or letter from their editor, to obtain the pass. Media passes, on the other hand, are typically issued by private organizations, such as concert venues or sports teams, and allow the holder to cover events or access certain areas within those organizations. Media passes are often given to freelance photographers or those who work for smaller, independent news outlets, and they may not require the same level of proof of employment as a press pass.
One of the key benefits of having a press pass or media pass is that it allows the photographer to gain access to events or locations that may not be open to the general public. This can be especially important for photographers who are covering breaking news events, as it allows them to get up close and personal with the action, and capture images that may not be possible from the sidelines. Press passes and media passes also often come with additional perks, such as reserved seating at events or access to special areas within a venue. This can be especially useful for photographers who need to be in a specific location to get the best shots, or who want to avoid the crowds to focus on their work. In addition to the practical benefits of having a press pass or media pass, these credentials can also help to establish a photographer's credibility and professionalism. By showing a press pass or media pass, a photographer can demonstrate to event organizers or security personnel that they are there to cover the event in an official capacity, and are not just an average member of the public. This can help to open doors and facilitate access to events and locations that may be off-limits to the general public.
Okay, so now that you have a general understanding of what Press passes are and an understanding of their function, I should tell you how to get your hands on one, so you can start your journey into visual journalism.
I currently hold two pairs of freelancer passes. The first pass I carry is from the United States Press Agency. (I have been with USPA since 2014.) The second pass is from the National Press Photographers Association. Of the two, the USPA pass is much cheaper, costing less than $200 USDA for new members and a $48 annual fee to renew membership. The NPPA Press Pass is more expensive, (not included in the NPPA membership) but comes with several benefits including discounts from Apple and Canon, health Programs, insurance, and more.
Overall, press passes and media passes can be valuable tools for photographers who want to cover news events or gain access to exclusive locations. These credentials can help photographers get closer to the action, secure reserved seating access to special areas, and establish their credibility as professional photographers.
NO PANTS SUBWAY RIDE 2020 NYC
Every year hundreds of New Yorkers participate in the “No Pants Subway Ride Prank”, organized by the local organization Improv Everywhere. The event which originally started out with just 7 New Yorkers is now a global. The 2020 No Pants Subway Ride Pranks has gone international including the proper English translation of “No Trousers Tube Ride” for our friends across the pond. Though I’ve been in NYC for the last 20+ years this is my first time attending the event. (And no i didn’t go pantsless. lol)
Every year hundreds of New Yorkers participate in the “No Pants Subway Ride Prank”, organized by the local organization Improv Everywhere. The event which originally started out with just 7 New Yorkers, is now global. The 2020 No Pants Subway Ride Pranks has spread all over the world including the proper English translation of “No Trousers Tube Ride” for our friends across the pond. Though I’ve been in NYC for the last 20+ years this is my first time attending the event. (And no i didn’t go pantsless. lol)
The attendees got a blessing this year, given its usually below 30 degrees. This winter we’ve been hit with some unbelievably warm weather. So the pantsless straphangers got to shower of the best undergarments in almost 70-degree weather. I guess this might be the warmest day in the event’s history. The event was interesting, to say the least with lots of weird guys taking cellphone pics from very questionable low angles 🤔, but i can say its overall great. Checkout out my photoset below from this year’s prank.
Meanwhile in NYC ...
— ISSA KHARI (@IssaKhari) January 12, 2020
.@ImprovEvery #NoPantsSubwayRide pic.twitter.com/l6nNe5lOkj
