Taking good pics

[harb2g]

i was just wondering if anyone knows a good site that will show how to take better pics. I just bought a Canon A70 and just want to know how can i take the best pics possible.

[RichardtheSane]

Well you are on one of them - this forum is great.
Kodak do a fairly good one too:-
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=38&pq-locale=en_US

[DGNugget]

Learn all of the 'rules', then break them.

[cityboy_ca]

Another site I visit a lot is New York Institute of Photography (www.nyip.com). Lot's of information there about composition, techniques, etc.

[harb2g]

thanks for all the help guys, this site is good, i was just wondering what you mean when DGNUGGET said 'rules'?

[DGNugget]

'rules'
Things like:
THe subject should be centered.
highlights and shadows should have some detail.
always focus on the subjects eyes.
underexposure is bad....

[jcsorensen]

Try http://luminous-landscape.com

www.luminous-landscape.com might also work

I just found it and am amazed at some of the stuff on it. Try Briot's series that he is writing in the regular columns section. I believe it is to be 9 parts of which 4 are written.

[excessnoise]

Try http://www.webphotoschool.com/newschool/Default.asp
They have a lot of free lessons that are short and written so beginners can understand. You can also join to see all of their lessons. They ARE Olympus and PhotoFlex lighting oriented but the science and mechanics of photography are all the same not matter what brand camera you use.

[barnold999]

BEST WAY TO LEARN ...

(it is a guarded secret that I have kept close to my, er, um, camera... dont tell anyone, shh... )

...take many photos... play around, see what you like, discover your style. Look for the unique, find what people dont see on a normal basis... From a different perspective than how you see it (i.e. you are normally above children, when you take photos of children, get at their eye level)

Well that is my guarded "secret"

[Red Soldier]

1) keep the shot simple

2) avoid mergers

3) use the rule of thirds

4) keep the photo balanced

5) use lines to make the shot more interesting

6) frame your subject when you can

rule of thirds- imagine there is a giant tic-tac-toe diagram in your scene. now, place your subject in the points of intersection. this will usually make the photo a little more interesting.


-----O-------O-----


----O-------O-----


There. A little homemade diagram for the rule of thirds. Place your subject where the "O's" are for a more interesting look. *Edit: the vertical lines don't work. just imagine them.*

[nosquare2003]

Firstly, I would like to ask a basic question, "What are good pics?"

I'm learning to ask:

1. What is the subject in the photo?
2. What does the photographer want to express? Any story behind?
3. How is it expressed in the photo? And how to draw reader's attention to the subject / story?
4. What else can be done to make a "better picture"? (usually, this question is to review my own pics.)

There are lots of tips and techniques for (3) as listed by others in this thread. There are some more techniques like using high or low key in lighting, contrast in lighting, contrast in shapes, use of background for different moods, use (or absence) of colours, etc... Any photography book will illustrate them.

Well, I have not become a good photographer by doing the above. But at least it helps me to appreciate others' works (and to criticise mine).