BetterPhoto Basics: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Taking Photos Like a Pro

421 Pages·2010·16.03 MB·English

by  Jim Miotke

Copyright © 2010 by James C. Miotke All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Amphoto Books, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random
House, Inc., New York.
www.crownpublishing.com
www.amphotobooks.com
Cover photographs (clockwise from top left): Jim Miotke, Susan Patton, Stacey A. Bates, Jim Miotke, Graham Sher
AMPHOTO BOOKS and the Amphoto Books logo are trademarks of Random House, Inc.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2009931351
eISBN: 978-0-81740024-8
v3.1
Also Available an as eBook:

The BetterPhoto Guide to Digital Photography
The BetterPhoto Guide to Exposure
Available Spring 2011
The BetterPhoto Guide to Photographing Children
Available Spring 2011
The BetterPhoto Guide to Digital Nature Photography
Available Spring 2011
Available Spring 2011
This book is dedicated to everyone
who dreams of living a more creative life.
Photo © Mary Iacofano
CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Introduction
GETTING READY: A SNAPSHOT OF THE ART
What Photography Is Really All About
What to Shoot
Welcome to Your Camera
STEP 1: MEET YOUR CAMERA MODES
Portrait Mode
Landscape/Infinity Mode
Macro Mode
Sports Mode/Kids and Pets Mode
Night Mode/Night Portrait Mode
Indoor Mode
Beach Mode/Snow Mode
Fireworks Mode
Fully Automatic Mode/Program Mode/Manual Mode
Aperture Priority Mode/Shutter Speed Priority Mode
Flash On/Flash Off/Auto Flash
STEP 2: FORTY ABSOLUTELY EASY TIPS TO INSTANTLY
IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOS
> GET COMPOSED
Take Charge of Your Composition
Choose One (and Only One) Subject
Keep It Simple
Fill the Frame
Get Even Closer
Place Your Subject Off-center
Place Your Subject in the Upper Third
Use the Rule of Thirds
Get Down Low—or Up High
Know Where to Put the Horizon
Choose Your Background
Include a Foreground Object
Turn Your Camera
Frame Your Subject
Avoid Getting More than You Bargained for
Tell a Story with Your Photograph
> GET SHARP
Hold Still
Use a Good Tripod
Use the Self-Timer
Five More Tips for Taking Sharp Photos
Focus on Your Subject
Focus on What Is Most Interesting
Don’t Get Too Close
> GET LIT
Turn Off Your Flash
Find Great Outdoor Light
Keep the Sun at Your Back
Find Great Indoor Light
Prevent Red-Eye
Avoid Flash Shadows
Avoid Flash Reflections
> GET THE SHOT
Catch the Decisive Moment
Overcome Shutter Lag
Grab a Safety Shot
Take Your Time
Work the Subject
Photograph in Any Weather
Photograph in Fog
Photograph in Rain
Shoot a Lot!
Edit Your Images
STEP 3: TWENTY POPULAR PHOTO ASSIGNMENTS
> NATURE IDEAS
Photograph a Flower Close-up
Capture a Scenic Landscape
Be Inspired by Nature Around You
Capture Reflections
Capture a Spectacular Sunset
Celebrate the Seasons
> PORTRAIT IDEAS
Take a Portrait Outdoors
Take a Portrait Indoors
Take a Portrait of Your Pet
Shoot Candid Photos
> ANIMAL AND WILDLIFE IDEAS
Capture Pictures of Animals at the Zoo
Go Hunting, the Humane Way
Get Close to Bugs
Photograph Birds and Other Small Animals
> STORYTELLING IDEAS
Use Details to Tell a Story
Document Your Travels
> ARTISTIC IDEAS
Make Great Black-and-White Photos
Shoot Graphic Shadows
Try Abstract Photography
Copy Your Favorite Masterpiece
STEP 4: MASTER THE LIGHT TO TAKE YOUR PHOTOS FURTHER
Pay Attention to the Light
Appreciate Soft Light
Choose the Best White Balance
Increase Your ISO
Shoot with Sidelighting
Shoot with Backlighting
Use Fill Flash
Shoot During the Golden Hours
Turn Around … at Sunrise and Sunset
Make the Most of Midday Sun
Shoot at Twilight for the Best Night Photography