Anyone can own a camera; it takes someone special, however, to really grasp take a photograph that will not only capture a moment but capture a memory as well. For many people, taking a great photo comes naturally. So what can you do to turn those not so great photos into something outstanding? With the use of modern technology and photo editing software, you can all-but go back in time to retake the picture. A word of warning, however; you will need to have high-resolution images in order to edit them without altering or losing too much of the data.
Instructions
1. Before you even head out to take photographs, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with your camera (and its features). Spend some time ‘playing’ with all the different functions. Get comfortable with any equipment you’ll be using, such as a tripod. If you are using a digital SLR, you most likely have interchangeable lenses and filters. Do your research on what lenses and filters are best to use in various situations. If you bring only a 35mm-70mm lens, you probably won’t get very good photos of objects far away.
2. If your camera has a “RAW” feature, try to always shoot in that mode. Many photographers will choose to shoot in RAW and JPG at the same time. With camera RAW, editing the image later will (in most cases) not damage the pixel information (in other words, the data that makes up the image). Make sure your memory card has sufficient storage for the kind and length of event you will be shooting. Shooting in RAW and JPG at the same time can easily fill up a memory card in no time.
3. Remember the rule of thirds. When you are preparing to capture an image, don’t just point anywhere in the general direction of the subject and shoot. It is a proven fact that the most eye-pleasing photographs are often times those where the subject is not centered, but rather about one-third of the way set in from the edge. Most digital cameras manufactured today have these “guides” built in to the viewing area.
4. When you are done with your photo shoot, it is time to upload the images onto your computer. Typically, this will require a card reader; these come in various sizes to accommodate the variety of memory cards on the market. You are now ready to edit your images in a great many ways, bringing the quality of your otherwise average photo up to something extraordinary. If you were able to shoot in camera raw, you’ll be able to increase the resolution of your images by about another 20 percent without distorting the image too much.
