Three Top Professional Photography Tips from the best books I have read:
These tips are on lighting contrast, flash output, and camera settings they will point you in the right direction and help you make your own masterpiece photographs.
I The picture-taking was so much fun! When looking over the resulting pictures, however, I also saw many photos that were not great. Then it occurred to me that looking at both the keepers and the losers might help you learn how to take better pictures. So I selected 10 pairs of pictures that show what works and what doesn't work. Note that, in many cases, both of these before and after photos are fine. Sometimes one is not necessarily better than the other. They often just have different effects on the people who look at your photos. So let's begin by taking a look at a pair of two good photos.
Digital cameras offer many fully automatic modes and options, making it easy for novices to take nice pictures. But the simplicity of automation can also lure photo enthusisasts into the trap of point-and-shoot picture taking. That can lead to lower technical quality and a lot of so-so snapshots. All too often, the photos are not technically excellent or effectively composed, so they do not offer the visual appeal that friends expect from our images.
The best way to begin learning photography is simply to do it. As they say, practice makes perfect. Practice also causes you to think of new things to photograph, as well as questions and fun new photo ideas. In this Introduction to Photography Assignments, you'll find several ideas to keep in mind when you head out with you're camera. Doing one or more of the following photo assignments will get you going on your path toward becoming a master photographer. These assignments are designed to inspire you and help you improve as a photographer. Whether you get to that "master photographer" status, you'll find yourself having a lot of fun in the process.
In the world of natural light, high contrast can mean high drama in your photographs. With the right scene and the right approach, the striking interplay of brights and darks can create some of the greatest, most dynamic show stoppers in outdoor photography.
In particular, shadows can produce a quick and powerful impact, since they emphasize form over detail. Best yet, chasing shadows is a creative pursuit for enthusiasts who prefer either color photography or black and white photography.