Mistakes to Avoid as A Beginner - Part One

Once you get your hands on a DSLR, you become curious about all the buttons, the different modes and so on. But during the beginning stages we tend to make some mistakes.

The previous night, you might have shot a nice landscape in Manual mode with ISO 800, exposure of 4/5 seconds and exposure compensation set high. You sleep, go for a morning walk and start to take pictures, but when you look at the image it looks washed out. Yes, we will forget to change it very often as we are not used to with a DSLR in hand. Whereas some might change the mode from manual to aperture but, keep the ISO value and exposure compensation unchanged, which can make your photos grainy and washed out.

Keep in mind to check your settings each time you take a shot under different conditions.

Review the image you took and decide whether you need to make adjustments in order to produce a much better shot.

Take time to understand the surroundings, just noticing them will help you choose the settings you need.

Compose your shot well, take your time and decide how to frame your image so that it looks appealing.

Capture your image in RAW format, it helps a lot in post processing.

So keep in mind these things the next time you take out your DSLR for capturing fantastic shots.

I will write dedicated posts on Composition, Aperture, RAW format, ISO and so on.

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Anyone can capture a good picture

The secret to capturing a great image is not necessarily having a great camera. There is no need for a high end point and shoot or a DSLR to capture what you see or the story you want to capture. It is more about you or the person behind the lens. An ordinary mobile phone camera can produce amazing captures too. Then comes a question on how I can shoot long exposures? If there is ample light, all you have to do is capture 9/10 pictures without changing the composition and you can later do some post processing to mimic long exposure shots. So many things are possible using a normal camera, be it the one on your mobile or an ordinary point and shoot. A good picture has a nice composition and good lighting. (I can talk about lighting and composition in the coming posts). 

DSLR’s do have advantage over a normal camera, mainly because of its sensor, the lens combination, an extensive manual mode and so on. But if you are on a tight budget, buying a good point and shoot is a good alternative. Most mobile phone camera’s now possess a decent sensor and enough resolution to take clear pictures. So what is your excuse now? Go ahead and capture. 

Keep in mind to:

• Compose the shot well (include a little bit of foreground when necessary).

• Try to keep the subject well lit.

• And get close to the subject.

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My Story

Everyone who have taken photography as a serious hobby or as a profession did have a first camera, which put a big smile in our face. My first camera was a HOTSHOT 35JR which had a fixed focal length of 45mm. To be honest, I have never heard about this brand in my entire life. I received it for free when we purchased a television. It worked alright and took pictures using film, which I later took it to a local studio to develop. Images mostly looked washed out. But I was thrilled, because I finally had a camera with which I could express my love for nature. Somehow it just stopped working.

After a few years, I saved enough money to buy a second/ third hand multimedia phone, a Sony Ericsson W700i. It sported a 2MP camera with a dedicated button for taking pictures. This was my introduction to digital photography. The phone did have some problems, but I managed to take a lot of pictures. Soon the basic features that a phone was supposed to do were not in a functioning state.

Waynad - Sunrise (W700i)

By this time I had graduated and got admission to one of the best universities in the country. So I had to leave my small town. My Father gifted me an LG P500 Android Smartphone. It had a 3MP camera, which was really good at taking pictures. Being a lively campus with scenic beauty, I used to go out with friends and sometimes alone just for the sake of taking pictures. For the first time in my life, I was appreciated for taking pictures. Some of my friends pointed out that I had a knack for taking pictures. I just believed it to be true.

From The Rooftop (LG P500)

Still in possession the P500, I bought an HTC Incredible S from a friend, it had an 8MP shooter, a far better camera than the one in my phone. Soon after I got my hands on it there was a good monsoon, which made the campus lush and more beautiful than the previous semester. This increased my desire to make photography a more serious hobby than it ever was. Till recently I was using this to snap most of the pictures, though sometimes I use my Samsung Galaxy GT7582 to take pictures.

Just After The Monsoon In University of Hyderabad (HTC Incredible S)

The Campus is Known for its Fauna (HTC Incredible S)

After getting a temporary job, which paid well, I bought my Nikon D3200, an entry level DSLR camera with 18-55mm kit lens and a 55-200mm zoom lens. I also purchased a Simpex VCT-690RM tripod, a UV Filter, a CPL Filter, an ND-2 Filter and some SD cards. Getting a Nikon was my individual preference. If I can get enough words to write a review on the D3200, I will do so. 

Miles to Go (Location - en route to Vattavada, Munnar) Nikon D3200

As an end note, I would like to thank my loved one, my friends and family for the immense support shown by them, many have let me use their smartphones, digital cameras and so on for snapping pictures, and I do remember each and every one of you.

My next post will bear the title “Anyone can take a picture”

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Inquisitive

I was returning home while I saw a group of blacksmith families on the roadside making knives and axes, they come from a different state and try earn their livelihood. They travel as group shifting from one place to another. I found this little boy mostly clinging around his mother, I asked her whether I could snap a picture, the lady nodded. I took out the camera adjusted a few settings and snapped the boy who was too inquisitive seeing the device on my hand.

EXIF

Nikon D3200
Lens: 18-55mm kit lens
focal length: 55mm
f/5.6
ISO 200
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Time: 1/80
WB – Auto

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