5 TIPS IN CREATING PHOTOGRAPHS

Whazzup Everybody! Talking about photography is too comprehensive. Am gonna need months to discuss photography. We'll talk about gears, about compositions, about lights and shadows, about art, creativity, and about style.  

Ahhh there's so much to talk about... but to address the assumption of having expensive top of the line cameras makes the best photographs in the world, I am writing this post.

Almost everyone, including me, falls for this so called gear lust. When we see another photographer using expensive camera and luxurious lens we get intimidated and can't focus anymore in taking photographs. We shy away. We hide our humble camera back to our bag.

 We think that owning and upgrading all the time to a very expensive gears gets the job done, yes in some sense but it doesn't always follow. Making photographs is not about what kind of gear you are using, it is always about the YOU in you that makes the best photograph. 

In this post, am gonna talk about what Chase Jarvis, a known photographer, said in his book "The best camera is the one that's with you" to show you that it's not always the fancy super expensive gears that makes a better photographs. I took the following photos of my beautiful girlfriend after a wedding coverage where she was the maid of honor of the bride using only an iPhone 7 and a 6 inches ring light. I believe I took descent photos of her. Did I?

So, the question is, how do I take and make photographs?

Here are 5 tips that I keep in my mind when I am working with a camera, any camera.

1. Know your light as well as your shadows

Without knowledge of how lights and shadows work in your photograph is a no excuse because since the moment you became conscious, you know already that when a thing is in the dark side its beauty will never be seen so you need light to make that beauty shine. You know too that when its full of light you can't either see the beauty of the subject, no highlights, and details are blown away that's why you need to put shadows.

2. Visualize your desired images

When you have lights and shadows already, place your subject to its best dramatic place. Do not just put it there and let light and shadows do the job. It is you who will manipulate light and shadow to achieve dramatic effect in your photograph. Be creative!

3. Know how your gears work

Befriend your gears. Best if you'll know how your camera works. Know how Aperture, Shutter, and ISO relationships with each other. know the limitation of your camera, your lens. By knowing your gears you can achieve great images without stress.

I hope this make sense, "Know thy self! "You only stands 5'4" and you are playing basketball, admit it that you can never have the center  position, but you can be forward or guard!" Everything is limited but it does not mean you can't achieve the best!

4. Take and Make Great Photographs

Now it's time for you to capture beautiful moments. It is expected for beginners that you can't take photos like the one photographer idolized instantly because becoming one takes time. As Bryan Peterson, a well known creative master photographer said, "Keep Shooting!" Shoot everyday. After a month of taking and making photographs, compare your first photo to your newest photo ... trust me you'll see the difference.

(Photograph by: Tiny)

5. Post Process

Post processing your photos is not bad. Actually, it's needed. Take 100% beautiful photograph using you camera and make your photograph 200% more beautiful by post processing it. 

Take note, while post processing is good, always remember to make your photographs look realistic. As I observed, new photo enthusiasts today are using presets incorrectly and improperly. Presets are good. It gives you another mood or sense of the image but when it's too much it ain't good anymore. Use presets properly and correctly.

So, what now? Grab your camera that is with you and start taking stunning images!