5. Try different shutter times!
The shutter time determines for how long the sensor of your camera is exposed to light. By manually adjusting that time you can show motion in your picture. For example, if you take a picture of a waterfall you can either choose a short shutter time around 1/1000s which will freeze the single water drops in the air. Or you can choose a longer shutter time of a few seconds which will make the water look very smooth emphasizing its motion. So by consciously modifying the shutter time you can create very different looks. Other motives that are perfect to experiment with the shutter time are cars at night, pedestrians, athletes, or boats.
6. Make a plan!
Especially if you want your pictures to be more professional instead of “only” taking holiday photos it can really help to make a plan a detailed plan before taking your picture. That can include many aspects depending on what type of photography you are into. Before going on a trip you can for instance collect information about interesting places, events, etc. that you could imagine as a motive. Then you can think about the perspective, the weather, the light, and other details. Considering these requirements you can then prepare the suitable equipment and plan the optimal schedule. Missing that type of preparation can often lead to dissatisfaction with the own pictures because the conditions weren’t perfect.
7. Editing
Editing and post-processing are very powerful tools but also one of the most debated aspects of photography. Some artists prefer doing only minor changes trying to keep their picture as natural as possible whereas others create artistic compositions that change the character of the original picture completely. But that’s up to everyone’s sense of artistic expression. The most popular editing software for professionals is Lightroom, Photoshop, and Capture One offering all aspects of image editing from simple adjustments of the exposure to advanced features like color grading. For those who don’t want to spend that much money on editing software, there are also free solutions that lack some features but still suffice for basic adjustments. For example, there is a free mobile version of Lightroom that allows you to make changes in light and color temperature in a very good quality. Furthermore, you can download the free VSCO editor which offers a great variety of filters and presets.
8. Equipment
It is important to mention that nowadays you can also take high-quality pictures with most smartphones or a basic camera. But to be more flexible in certain situations, to get even better quality, and to facilitate the operation of your camera it can be useful to get some additional equipment. First of all, I would recommend you to get a tripod since it permits you to do long exposures and timer photography way more conveniently. If you have a camera with interchangeable lenses it is worth getting different focal lengths or prime lenses. What type of lens you should get first completely depends on your choice of motive. In animal photography, a telephoto lens is very helpful whereas for landscape photography a wide-angle lens might be most recommendable. Thirdly you should know about ND filters, which allow you to make long exposures during the day, and polarising filters, which eliminate reflections.
9. Try out different styles!
Trying out different styles will give your pictures more variety while helping you to find your sense of photographic expression. Just change the settings of your camera or phone for a day and be creative. I can definitely recommend you try out a black and white filter. At first, it will be challenging because you have to change your approach to photography a little as all colors are missing, but if you focus more on contrasts the b/w style can create great looks. Furthermore, it is worth trying different formats, especially the 1:1, and also photographing with a fixed focal length. With macro photography, which requires you to take the picture from very close, you will get a whole new perspective on every motive. Typical macro motives are insects and flowers.
10. Get inspiration!
Through the internet, we can access an endless amount of pictures of every kind that allow us to discover new motives and new technology. Just follow your favorite photographer, magazine, or influencer on Instagram or Pinterest and collect ideas. Don’t hesitate and try to recreate your favorite pictures because even though you might not achieve the exact same result the process will still give you a lot of experiences. Furthermore just watching impressive pictures always motivates you to go out and take pictures on your own.