learn to take better photographs

make someone else do it. i bought the bf a canon rebel xti for christmas and his photo skills have greatly improved. and he has a new expensive habit on top of the many others.

So, I’ve had the practise (it’s been nearly a year since I took up this goal), I’ve got the new camera and I’ve even managed to catch a few nice shots, but I still need to improve more.

First thing would be to learn how to use my new (used) 300D properly. I think I’ll have to leave it until after the move, but what better time and place to practise photography than in the lovely spring light in Ireland.

Also, I’ve taken Stu’s advice and looked at a few tutorials of photography and composition. I’ve so far learned about the rule of thirds, the diagonal rule and curved lines.

This list of tips and tutorials was the most appealing and the easiest to understand out of the ones I have looked so far, I thought it might help someone else here:

http://www.livingroom.org.au/photolog/tips/digital_photography_composition_tips.php

With the help of some books I am on may way to better phoyography.

It just takes time and practice… If you really want to get involved thoo, take a class or two… me im a hands on learner so I just went out and tooke pictures everyday… Eventualy you learn by yourself what you can and can not do. Photography is my life. Anyone that has any questions feel free to ask :)

Vinnie

I’ve had lots of people compliment the photos I’ve taken since I added this as a goal in 43T. Someone has even contacted me and asked for permission to use my photos in their blog skins. I said yes, naturally, and now there’s at least 11 people out there who have my photos in their blogs.

I’m not marking this goal done yet, the pictures I’ve taken are good but I haven’t quite proven myself to myself yet, if that makes any sense.

I have been taking lots of “arty” photos this last week, and in general I’ve been quite happy with the results. There is surprisingly quite a lot to photograph around where I live, which leads me to believe that my eyes have opened to see things in a new light already, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

I must’ve been putting lots of effort into my practising since my significant other has noticed it too. We were going for an evening walk yesterday and as we were walking out the door, I heard a subtle “No camera?” behing me, uttered with a sarcastic smirk.

Also, I finally got the pictures of early fruit tree blossoms I had been dreaming of since I first moved to Dublin. I have a big thing about cherry blossoms, and even though I suspect this one was an apple tree, it’s good enough for me. We’ve had clear blue skies here too, and the morning sun was a bit too harsh for nice photos but great for some clear-cut shadows.

I think it’s going to be mostly practice, and also motivating myself to do it. It’s been 8 years since I last cared about photography and I didn’t have a toddler. You can’t really go out to take photographs with a toddler in tow. Luckily his dad wants to spend lots of time with him at the weekends so I try to make sure I take some photos every weekend and experiment a little as well. (Which is much easier to do now I’ve gone digital).

I have decided to start taking better photographs. I divide my new goal into two sections – to buy a better camera, and to use it more creatively. At the moment my maternity allowance doesn’t allow new fancy digital cameras, but I’ve decided to start on the second part while I wait the Money Fairy.

While sitting at home might help me with the first one of the two goals by saving me money, it’s hardly going to get me anywhere with the second one. Thus I took myself, my child, my sunglasses and my camera out for a walk today, and I’m quite pleased with some of the pictures. There isn’t that much to see around here, and I’ve already taken pictures of everything remotely interesting.

Here’s my favourite one of today’s pictures. I’m posting the a few more onto my own flickr account later when I have more time.

For my birthday I got a new digital camera and I’m hoping this will help me learn what makes a good photo. As it’s digital I can snap away to my hearts content and not be worrying about the developing costs of bad photos. See some of my photos on my flickr album.