UK Photos web: Tips and hints for successful photography

Shot Composition

Take time to compose your shots, trying to avoid any obstacles in the foreground that take the attention away from the subject that you are shooting, such as railings posts etc. It acceptable to have foreground foliage such as long grass, twigs of small branches for landscapes, as long as they don't obstruct the main feature of the photograph.

Aperture and depth of field

If you are photographing  landscapes try to use the smallest aperture possible, to give the largest depth of field (all or most of frame in sharp focus) that is the highest f number at least f11 if possible (f16/f22 or higher is ideal) The depth of field will also depend on the distance from the camera lens to the main subject of closest focusing point, the further the subject is from the lens the greater the depth of field will be.

Another way of obtaining a small aperture is to use a slower shutter speed and a tripod, if the light conditions prevent you from getting a high f-stop.

In contrast to landscapes If you are photographing still life such as a flower, plant/fruit or insects then use a large aperture, a low f-number such as f5.6/f4.0 will be required. Some lenses will stop down to as little as f1.8. This will give you the effect of background blur enhancing the subject of the shot. The closer the distance from the camera lens to the subject the smaller the depth of field will be. Different lenses will have varied closest focusing distances. Some specialist lenses (usually macro lenses) will have a very close minimum focusing distance, as little as 1 or 2 CM.

Usually wide-angle or wide angle zoom lenses with a short focal length or focal range (for zoom lenses) will have a much closer focusing distance than a telephoto or a telephoto zoom lens. Typically a wide-angle zoom lens will have a close focus of 28 - 50 cm where as a telephoto zooms typical range is 50cm to 1.5 meters. (depending on the make and quality of the lens.

Understanding depth of field is important if you are to get the effect that you want to achieve. Below is a link to a selection of images taken at small and large depths of  field.

Example photographs of large and small depth of field

Shutter Speed

Try to keep your shutter speed 1/90 - 1/125 or faster for landscapes to get crisp images, anything less than 1/60 and you will need to use a tripod to eliminate camera shake. For some people even 1/60 may be too slow to eliminate camera shake. The longer the focal length of the lens the more noticeable camera shake will be.

If you wish to obtain a blur effect to running water, stream or waterfall to a photograph to illustrate movement then a slow shutter speed is needed. Depending on the amount of flow, 1/15 - 5 seconds is usually sufficient. To do this successfully it is necessary to use a tripod to eliminate camera shake. In addition to this it is advisable to use a shutter release remote if you have one. Another way round this is to set the camera off by timer, as most cameras support this function. either way this will minimise the risk of camera shake.

If you wish to obtain a crisp image of a moving object then you will need a fast shutter speed of at least 1/250 or higher.

The f-numbers will depend on your lens but most will go from f4-f22 some lenses will go to a  higher (i.e. f32 smaller) or lower (i.e. f1.8 larger) aperture. More expensive zoom lenses (usually prime/professional lenses) will have a constant aperture throughout their focal length, where as cheaper lenses usual have an aperture range (typically f-4 - f-5.6)

Much of this will also depend on your camera, more modern cameras offer many features as well as better light metering, and auto/manual focus, giving you the choice to be more creative. Opinions vary considerably as to best method/practice. Practice almost makes perfect.

No one can get it right every time all the time. (in my opinion) Photography is a way of life every time is different and you never stop learning.

Note:

When using a telephoto or telephoto zoom lens a shutter speed equal or higher to the focal length is required for hand held photography.

For example when using a 200mm lens a shutter speed of at least 1/200 is required to reduce the chance of getting blurred images from camera shake.

See shutter speed explained in pictures

Key

Smallest aperture = Largest f-stop (i.e. f22) Large depth of field. This will give you all or most of the frame in sharp focus.

Largest aperture = Smallest f-stop (i.e. f4) Small depth of field. This will give you the main subject in focus, background and or foreground blur to draw attention to the main subject.

Fast shutter speed = 1/125 -1/1000

Slow shutter speed = 1/60 - 30 seconds or timed (B) Bulb exposure.

Also see photography equipment that I use of have used, a short description of what it is used for.