Lighting

Lighting is one of the most important elements of photography. It can make or break a photo, and it's something that you should pay close attention to when you're composing a shot. In general, the best lighting is natural light, which can be soft and diffuse or bright and harsh depending on the time of day and the weather. You can also use artificial light sources, such as flash or studio lights, to illuminate your subject and create different effects.

Composition

Composition refers to the way that you arrange the elements of a photograph. It's about how you use the space in the frame to create a visual balance and draw the viewer's eye to the subject. There are many different compositional techniques that you can use, such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, and symmetry. Experimenting with different compositions can help you to create more interesting and visually appealing photos.

Exposure

Exposure refers to the amount of light that reaches the camera's sensor. A properly exposed photo is one that is neither too light nor too dark, and it's important to get the exposure right if you want to capture the details and colors of your subject accurately. You can control the exposure by adjusting the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which are the three main elements of the exposure triangle.

Focus

Focus is another important element of photography. It determines what part of the photo is sharp and in focus, and what parts are blurry. You can control the focus by using the camera's autofocus system or by adjusting the focus manually. In general, it's a good idea to try to keep the subject of the photo in focus, as this will help to draw the viewer's eye to the most important part of the image.

These are just a few of the basic principles of photography, and there is much more to learn if you want to become a skilled photographer. However, by understanding these concepts, you'll be well on your way to taking great photos and capturing the beauty of the world around you.  Study these fundamentals and read more about getting started!

Lens choice

The lens you use can have a big impact on the final look of your photos. Different lenses have different focal lengths, which determines how much of the scene is captured in the frame and how much is compressed or stretched. Wide-angle lenses have a shorter focal length and capture a wider field of view, while telephoto lenses have a longer focal length and capture a narrower field of view. You can use different lenses to create different effects, such as making objects in the foreground appear larger or making the background appear more distant.

Depth of field

Depth of field refers to the range of distance in a photograph that is in focus. A photograph with a shallow depth of field will have a small area in focus, while a photograph with a deep depth of field will have a larger area in focus. You can control the depth of field by adjusting the aperture, which is the size of the opening in the lens that allows light to pass through. A wider aperture creates a shallow depth of field, while a smaller aperture creates a deeper depth of field.

Shutter speed

Shutter speed refers to the length of time that the camera's shutter is open when taking a photo. A fast shutter speed captures a shorter amount of time, while a slow shutter speed captures a longer amount of time. You can use different shutter speeds to create different effects, such as freezing fast-moving action or creating a blur to show movement.

ISO

ISO refers to the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light. A higher ISO value allows the sensor to be more sensitive to light, which is helpful in low light conditions. However, a higher ISO also introduces more noise, which can affect the quality of the photo. It's important to find the right balance between ISO and other camera settings, such as aperture and shutter speed, to get the best results.

Aperture

Aperture is an important element of photography that controls the amount of light that enters the camera. It is measured in f-stops, and a larger aperture (a smaller f-stop number) allows more light to pass through the lens, while a smaller aperture (a larger f-stop number) allows less light to pass through. In addition to controlling the amount of light, aperture also affects the depth of field in a photograph. A wider aperture (a smaller f-stop number) creates a shallow depth of field, which means that only a small area of the photograph is in focus, while a smaller aperture (a larger f-stop number) creates a deeper depth of field, which means that more of the photograph is in focus. Aperture is an important tool for controlling the exposure and creating different effects in your photos, and it's something that you should consider when you're composing a shot.

These are just a few more of the basic principles of photography that you should be aware of. By understanding these concepts and learning how to control the various elements of your camera, you'll be able to take better photos and capture the world around you in a way that is creative and meaningful. So, get out there and start experimenting! If you want to learn about the different types of photography continue reading!

There are also many different styles and techniques that you can use to create different effects and tell different stories with your photos. Some examples of these styles and techniques include:

Portrait photography : Portrait photography is all about capturing the personality and character of the subject. It can be done with a variety of camera angles, lighting techniques, and posing techniques.

Landscape photography : Landscape photography is about capturing the beauty of the natural world. It often involves wide-angle lenses and deep depth of field to show as much of the scene as possible.

Street photography : Street photography is about capturing candid, spontaneous moments in public places. It often involves using a small, discreet camera and a candid approach to capture the energy and character of the city.

Black and white photography : Black and white photography is about creating contrast and drama through the use of light and shadow. It can be a powerful way to convey emotion and mood.

Macro photography : Macro photography is about capturing close-up details and textures. It often involves using specialized lenses and equipment to get close to the subject.

Action photography : Action photography is about capturing fast-moving subjects, such as sports or wildlife. It often involves using fast shutter speeds to freeze the action.

Night photography : Night photography is about capturing the beauty and mystery of the night sky and cityscapes. It often involves using long exposures and specialized equipment to capture the low light levels.

These are just a few examples of the many different styles and techniques that you can use in photography. The key is to find what works for you and to keep experimenting and learning to develop your own unique style and vision. So, take your time, be patient, and enjoy the process of creating beautiful and meaningful photos. If you want to learn more about photography and have recently purchased your first camera, check out our article “picking your first lens – love at first sight”.