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Getting Back to Photography Basics
By Wayne Cosshall

For those of us who have been in photography for some time it is easy to forget some of the basics. Newcomers naturally need to learn them to start with. Let’s examine some of these basics.

You have to be there.
You won’t get great photos if you don’t get off the couch and take photographs—lots of photos.

Hold your camera correctly.
Camera shake ruins more photos than one would imagine. Anti-shake features in camera bodies and image stabilization in lenses only get you so far. You want a solid two-hand hold, with your hands positioned so that you can handle the controls you need without losing the good grip. With an SLR that means getting a good grip with your right hand, with your left hand under the camera and lens with the fingers ready to manipulate the focus and zoom rings. With a compact camera the left hand needs to grip the camera top and bottom or front to back so that the fingers are not covering the eyepiece window or flash. In either case, tuck your elbows into your sides so that they are supported.

Use a tripod.
Even with a good camera hold there are many instances in which using a tripod would be better. In fact, a good argument can be made that a tripod is always better because it will give much more rigid support and also allow you to step back from the camera to consider your shot, without losing the framing. I have taught myself to love shooting on tripod, primarily because I like this extra step of careful consideration.

Know your camera.
Even when you use a tripod, there will be a range of shutter speeds where the mirror action on an SLR will cause blur. This is usually in the 1/30 second to two- second range, but it varies from camera to camera.  At these shutter speeds you want to use the mirror up function if your camera has it.  

But this is only one example in which it pays to know your camera. Your camera may always overexpose when metering in certain conditions. If you know this and can use the exposure compensation appropriately then there is no issue. If you don’t know it, you are in trouble.

Use what the camera offers.
Most cameras have lots of features. Some of them are great. Use them. Things like eyepiece blinds for when your eye is not up to the eyepiece when shooting on tripod are there for a reason. Or, the grid in your viewfinder that you can enable with a menu choice can make accurate composition easier and aid with keeping things level or vertical.Being able to display a histogram on the LCD either before or after the shot is fantastic and the key to better quality images, if you use it. Dynamic range enhancement (called different names by different manufacturers) can be a real help. And so it goes. Find out just what your camera offers and use the features that make sense.

Pay attention.
Remember always that aperture also controls depth of field, and shutter speed also determines the ability to stop movement. In the heat of the moment you can forget these, but you shouldn’t. You need to keep all the factors balanced in your head while shooting.

A bit of attention to the basics can help and refresh even the most experienced photographer.
Posted 09-02-2008 4:36 PM by Eileen Fritsch
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