It’s National Photograph Month! Tips For Improving Your Photography

May is National Photography Month, and it’s also the perfect time of year to get outside and take some photos as the natural world comes back to life. Most of us probably aren’t professional photographers, but we still enjoy taking photos and trying to capture beautiful moments.

If that sounds like you, then take a look at some of these tips for improving your photography this spring.

Know Your Gear/Read Your Manual

So many of us are guilty of buying a new piece of equipment and casually giving the manual a once-over before moving on to using it. No, your camera manual isn’t riveting, but it probably has a few instructions that you’ll want to know when you finally get around to shooting with it this spring. Know your gear like the back of your hand, and your photos will improve.

Know Your Meter And Focus

Take some time this spring to learn your camera’s metering modes, and practice metering and setting exposure for different lighting and backgrounds. You should also figure out how the different autofocus modes on your camera work, and what you can do to change the focus if your camera isn’t providing you with the focus you want.

Change Your Perspectives

It’s pretty amazing how the perspective we choose can completely change a photo. Think about the shots you normally take. Are they mostly from eye level? That’s the perspective that most people live their entire lives at, and breaking from that can help make your photos more interesting and unique. Get down on the ground, up in the air, or pick a new angle that you’ve never used before.

Practice Makes Perfect

Try keeping your camera on you as much as possible. Some people feel embarrassed about this, but practicing is really the only way you’ll get better, just like with any other skill. You’ll miss so many wonderful shots if you don’t have a camera close at hand, and you’ll be so thankful you had it when a random moment presents an opportunity for a beautiful photo.

Study and Learn

This doesn’t have to mean taking a class, but it wouldn’t hurt if you have the time and inclination. Follow photographers you like online. Check for workshops in your area. Study the work of famous photographers and pick up a couple books on photography at your local library. There are so many resources out there that you can easily take advantage of.

Improve Your Eyesight

It’s tough to get the perfect shot when you don’t have the eyesight to pick it out initially. Glasses place a barrier between you and the camera, and contacts aren’t always reliable. Instead, think about getting picture-perfect eyesight with LASIK eye surgery. You’ll be able to see your surroundings with clear eyesight, and your photos will benefit from it.

So if you are thinking about LASIK eye surgery, then give us a call at OCLI. We’ll go over your options for laser eye surgery and get you started on the path to great vision and even better photos.

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