Photography Techniques for Beginners

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If you are taking your first steps into the world of photography, it is essential that you understand the basic fundamentals to develop your skills.

From understanding how a camera works to mastering the concepts of exposure and composition, this manual will provide you with the information you need to begin your journey into professional photography.

Basic photography techniques

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Shooting modes

The shooting modes modes of a camera allow you to control how a photograph is captured. Here is a list of the basic modes you can find:

The shooting modes of a camera allow you to control how a photograph is captured. Below are the main shooting modes you'll find on most cameras:

  • Automatic: In this mode, the camera adjusts all exposure settings automatically. It is ideal for beginners who want to capture images without worrying about settings.
  • Semi-automatic: Semi-automatic modes, such as aperture priority and shutter speed priority, allow you to control a specific aspect of exposure while the camera adjusts the rest.
  • Manual: Manual mode gives you full control over all exposure parameters. It is ideal for advanced photographers who want total creative freedom and control over the final image.

Shutter speed

The shutter speed determines how long the camera shutter stays open when taking a picture.

A faster shutter speed freezes motion, while a slower shutter speed can create motion effects.

It is important to understand how shutter speed affects image sharpness and motion capture.

Diaphragm aperture

The diaphragm opening controls the amount of light entering the camera.

Un diafragma más amplio permite más luz, mientras que uno más estrecho la limita.

In addition, the aperture affects the depth of field of the image, which is the area of the image that is in focus. Understanding how aperture affects exposure and depth of field allows you to control the focus and lighting of your photographs.

Semi-automatic priority modes

The semi-automatic priority modes offer a balance between creative control and ease of use. Some of the most common semi-automatic modes are:

  • Aperture Priority (Av or A): In the aperture priority mode, If you select the aperture, you can select the aperture while the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed for proper exposure. 
  • Shutter Speed Priority (Tv or S): Here you can choose the shutter speed while the camera automatically adjusts the aperture for a balanced exposure.

These modes are useful when you want to control a specific aspect of the exposure while allowing the camera to adjust the rest of the settings.

Steps of light

The pasos de luz are a measure of change in the exposure of a photograph; each light step represents double or half the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor.

Understanding the steps of light allows you to adjust exposure accurately and creatively.

Shooting in Raw

Capturing images in RAW format gives you maximum flexibility when editing your photos.

Unlike JPEG files, which are compressed and processed by the camera, RAW files retain all captured information by the sensor, allowing you to make more precise adjustments during post-production.

Shooting in RAW gives you more control over colour, contrast and other aspects of the final image.

Conclusion

Mastering the basics of photography is the first step on your journey to professional photography.

From understanding how your camera works to mastering the principles of exposure and composition, this manual gives you the foundation you need to become an expert photographer.

Are you ready? Discover the 17 most used techniques in photography

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