How to improve your photos..

If you guys are interested I can give you some advice....

Yes, please!

How about you lay down the basics of photography.
What not to do, and what is really important.

First what make your Photo a photo and not a snapshot.

step no 1 .. find out what kind of photos you would like to shoot!
step no 2 rules of composition
step no 3 learn your camera
step no 4 understand the connection between light shutter and speed.


From there your photo will improve !

Thanks KV, really useful hints and tips!

Do you use anything digitally to improve your photos; special enhancements in the camera, or perhaps a computer with Photoshop?

Yes I´ll come to that .I was planning to write more about each step!

So right things for the job..

whats a lens and what the numbers mean ?

The two main optical parameters of a photographic lens are the maximum aperture and the focal length. The focal length determines the angle of view, and the size of the image relative to that of the object, while the maximum aperture limits the brightness of the image and the fastest shutter speed usable

Normal lens: angle of view of the diagonal about 50° and a focal length approximately equal to the diagonal produces this angle.
Macro lens: angle of view narrower than 25° and focal length longer than normal. These lenses are used for close-ups, e.g., for images of the same size as the object. They usually feature a flat field as well, which means that the subject plane is exactly parallel with the film plane.
Wide-angle lens: angle of view wider than 60° and focal length shorter than normal.
Telephoto lens or long-focus lens: angle of view narrower and focal length longer than normal. A distinction is sometimes made between a long-focus lens and a true telephoto lens: the telephoto lens uses a telephoto group to be physically shorter than its focal length.

I will just touch this briefly but:

landscapes use a wide angle zoom or telezoom

close up an fixed lens

allaround a wide angle lens


so whats does the numbers on a lens mean?

ie

Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 24 minimum focal length with a maximum of 3.5 apature or ( shutter as we will call it from now on ) to 85 mm focal length with a maxium of 4.5 shutter.


focal lenth being the distans from the outher lens to the cameras sensor.

one can call it magnification to 85 mangifies more then 24

Thanks for all the info KV!

What do you think on Digital Cameras, any comments about that?

In genereral or a specific manufacture?

Well, in general I guess...

Well its a great way to start your photo career.. if you learn to handle a digital SLR also your atempt is cheap it will cost you nothing to keep trying.. you can move from that to an analog camera and you can go back to basic, thats my aim...

Sounds very good! :D

Last step but important:

Photographic Composition

Heer some few "rules" there more but this is the basics.

Point of Interest

Identify a primary point of interest before taking the picture. When you’ve determined which area is the most important to you, you can compose to emphasize it. (Studying advertising photographs is a good way to get acquainted with emphasis in composition.)

Simplicity

Be sure that only the things you want the viewer to see appear in the picture. If there are numerous objects cluttering up the background, your message will be lost. If you can’t find an angle or framing to isolate your subject, consider using depth of field control to keep the background out of focus.


Balance

Generally, asymmetric or informal balance is considered more pleasing in a photograph than symmetric (formal) balance. In other words, placing the main subject off-center and balancing the "weight" with other objects (smaller or lower impact) will be more effective than placing the subject in the center.

Framing


A "frame" in a photograph is something in the foreground that leads you into the picture or gives you a sense of where the viewer is. For example, a branch and some leaves framing a shot of rolling hills and a valley, or the edge of an imposing rock face leading into a shot of a canyon. Framing can usually improve a picture. The "frame" doesn’t need to be sharply focused. In fact if it is too sharply detailed, it could be a distraction.


Viewpoint

You can often change a picture dramatically by moving the camera up or down or, stepping to one side. One of the best ways to come up with a prize-winning photograph is to find an "unusual" point of view.

Direction of movement

When the subject is capable of movement, such as an animal or person, it is best to leave space in front of the subject so it appears to be moving into, rather than out of, the photograph.

Diagonals

Linear elements such as roads, waterways, and fences placed diagonally are generally perceived as more dynamic than horizontals.

Rule of Thirds

Last, but not least, is something called the "rule of thirds." This is a principle taught in graphic design and photography and is based on the theory that the eye goes naturally to a point about two-thirds up the page. Also, by visually dividing the image into thirds (either vertically or horizontally) you achieve the informal or asymmetric balance mentioned above.

Although there are many ways a photograph can be composed effectively by basing it on the use of "thirds," the most common example is the placement of the horizon line in landscape photography.


If the area of interest is land or water, the horizon line will usually be two-thirds up from the bottom. On the other hand, if the sky is the area of emphasis, the horizon line may be one-third up from the bottom, leaving the sky to occupy the top two-thirds.


Now go out and shoot !!