5 Basic Guidelines for making Artistic Photos

Hello, everybody! I’m back with some tips and tricks I would like to tell people who would like to get into photography and don’t know how or where to start.

Remember, those are just some basic guidelines you can follow. You are free to do your own thing any time. This are just things that I know from personal experience when shooting with my sister and I would like to tell everyone who needs help so they don’t have to go through the frustration we both went through.

Alright, lets tackle the topic. I will say it upfront, I’m not a professional photographer. I’m a kid and don’t spend my whole time walking around with a camera. But I do make some from time to time for my sister if she has to be the model herself and she is sorta kinda a professional, although she doesn’t charge money for it. Don’t believe me? Well, then take a look at this.

Or this.

You now what, I shot those, even if I just pressed timer and had instructions from my sister. So while I’m not an expert, I do know my stuff well enough to know the basics of how it is done.

No. 1

Alright, let’s get started. The first thing you need is, of course, the right equipment. I mean, you can’t expect someone to make photos without a camera, right?

I also want to say that you should only buy the following things if you are absolutely sure you are going to use them often. While everything is affordable, none of it is cheap so don’t throw your or anyone else’s money away when you’re only following some kind of hype.

When you are only starting to take photos and want to see if it is your thing, you don’t really need most of it either. I bet you have some kind of camera lying around in your house. Just give it a try, it’s the best way to start.

Alright, about the camera, as I said, if you start, you can use any camera you have. To be honest, if you do it right, you can use even the worst kind of camera and it can still be a pretty amazing picture. While I admit a single lens reflex camera has its pros, as I said, its pretty expensive and I wouldn’t buy it unless you know how to use it.

But what I think iyou should avoid is using mobile phones. I know there are some out there with really good, even amazing, quality but they don’t replace a real camera. Of course,they are enough for spontanous pictures and the like, but please. Use your camera if you have the choice.

Now to the more optional parts. I think a tripod is very handy, especially if you need to make two photos from the same perspective. And if you have as shaky hand as me. Seriously, you don’t know how many pictures I ruined because I couldn’t hold the camera properly.

Next is a external self-timer for your camera. We don’t have one, so I can’t make any recommendations. But if you don’t have a younger/older sibling/friend/family member/whatever without a life, yeah, get one.

Now this is totally optional but it’s always good to have it. A photo editing program. You probably won’t need it if you are using an analog camera, but you see this photo?

I doubt each and every one of you has the resources to flood their living room. And Paint won’t do. I never tried the newer versions but it’s best to play save and just get a Photoshop version, from 7 up is pretty good. Gimp is pretty good, too, but I haven’t figured out all the functions yet. SAI and TwistedBrush are art programs, though, so they are not fit for photo editing.

No. 2

Let’s get onto point two now. Know your equipment.

I mean, you don’t send out a soldier without the proper knowledge of his weapons. You shouldn’t go out making photos without even knowing how your camera works and how to get the most out of it. I don’t want you to know how to take it apart and together or to know the programming of photoshop but you should at least know the basics like brightness, focus and the kind. You learn about your stuff the most while doing it, so just play around for a bit. If you’re stuck, there are always tutorials that can help you.

No. 3

Next, you should always have an idea. Alright, some may come spontaneous, but with artistic photos, you should always know what you want your pic to look like and what’s it supposed say. I mean, look at this one.

Or at least have some kind of harmony in itself. Like this one.

So, even if you don’t want to say anything, just have an idea how it’s supposed to look and then how to put it into practice. Alright, there also some pictures my sister didn’t really think about like this one.

Yeah, but believe me, your pictures will look much better if you stop and think about it for a moment.

No. 4

Alright, next point.

 Be patient.

No one expects you to be perfect and making a good photo can be very time consuming and exhausting. If it isn’t fun to you, you can stop anytime. If it is fun, it can be very fulfilling once you’re done. And always take one step at a time. No need to rush if it’s just a hobby.

No. 5

Well, I’m almost done here, but here’s one last little advice coming from my very own personal experience. Watch the weather forecast.

You don’t know how much frustration this picture caused us because the sun was shining.

For more amazing pictures, go on my sister’s blog. You won’t regret it.

Alright, that’s all, I hope you liked it and will tune in next time I get some ideas to share with you. See ya. I’m out.