The secrets of photography

Photography is a skill and anyone who wants to take fantastic photos learning the basics is a must. While it's highly unlikely you'll be the next Annie Leibovitz, or see your photographs become iconic prints in a gallery, you can take photos to be proud of. In this article, we look take a look at some of the fundamental secrets to great photography.

Know your camera If you want to take the best photographs possible, you need to know and understand every function of your camera. Go through the owner's manual to familiarise yourself with the pre-set, shutter speed, and aperture settings. If you spend some time trying out the camera's different functions, you will soon develop an understanding of how and when to use them.

Compose your shots

Having an eye for a good shot is important, and you can cultivate this ability by studying creative photography books and magazines. You need to think about how you want the picture to look. Will it be portrait, abstract, or landscape? Is the subject going to be centred? From what angle and distance will you be taking it?

These are just some of the things you need to consider before taking your shot. This will become more instinctive with time however, and soon you will be composing a picture before you've even lifted your camera.

Make the best use of the light

Get the lighting right and it can be the making of a shot. Dawn and dusk offer the most attractive lighting conditions for a picture. At these times the light is not as bright as midday, giving your photos a warm golden glow. Those pictures that make the most of reddish sunsets can become fantastic wall art.

During the day, shoot with the sun behind you so that it doesn't overpower the colours. If taking pictures indoors, use light sources from lower angles as it gives them a nicer appearance. When using the flash, tape some wax paper on to it to diffuse the light and reduce the harshness. Be brave

Don't be afraid to experiment with your camera's different settings or take unusual shots. This is how you learn what does and doesn't make a good picture. Use your imagination and strive to make the next photo even more spectacular than the last.

Using these tips, it won't be long before you really start to take pride in your photographs. Show them off, and do something special with the ones you're most pleased with. A nice idea is to have them mounted on your wall as canvas art.