How to take better pictures

Posted by Matt McGuire in Blog, Photography Tips

Jan
4

So you want to improve your photography skills and you are wondering how to do it? There is no get rich quick scheme for taking better photos. Sure better equipment will probably get you a better photo, but that is only part of the equation. A skilled photographer can produce much better photos on marginal equipment than a beginner on professional grade equipment.

If you just starting out my fist recommendation is just to take a lot of photos. Take photos of everything you can. Play with your camera’s setting and see what the photos look like. If you are shooting with a digital camera all of this practice is free. Review other people’s photos.

See what you like and what you don’t like in their photos. Pay attention to the angle they shot at and what type of light is used. If possible check out each photo and look at the aperture they used, level of zoom, shutter speed, and ISO they shot the picture at. Even if these settings don’t make sense to you at first get in the habit of reviewing them if you can.

There is a wealth of information on the internet about photography. Read, read, read. Find sites where you can read simple tutorials and where they explain all of the terminology. The more you read the more you will get familiar with the words photographers use.

And probably most importantly is have fun. You will learn so much faster if you are having fun and doing something you are passionate about.

Pleasant Grove Football Pictures

26 Comments to “How to take better pictures”

January 13, 2010 at 5:31 am
James says:

Hi, Matt, I think you’re dead on with the advice to just keep shooting… and shooting… and shooting…

It seems from some of your reviews that you are a Cannon man. What body are you using? I’m in the market, and seeking opinions.

[Reply]
Matt McGuire Reply:
January 23rd, 2010 at 5:33 pm
I am using a Canon 30D right now and saving for the new 7D.

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January 27, 2010 at 11:33 am
Ofallon IL Photographer says:

Matt,
Just ran across your blog today. We’ve used the 30D, 5D MarkII, and 50D. Our favorites are definitely the MarkII and the 50D. When making our decision for a sports camera, the 50D was actually our first choice. The 7D was showing more grain than the 50D did in numerous reviews. Something to think about – plus you’d save some cash going with the 50.

[Reply]
Matt McGuire Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
I heard the 7D has been pretty good for sports so I want to try it out. I am also interested in video. I miss the little video clips that I captured back in the point-n-shoot days.

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January 28, 2010 at 7:45 am
O'fallon IL Photographer says:

Matt,
I’m with ya. If you’re wanting video, you’re definitely going to have to go with either the 7D or the 5D Mark II.

[Reply]
February 23, 2010 at 5:17 am
Alan from Learn Photography says:

Hi Matt, nice blog here! Regarding video, I find that my 500D is more than capable – although the lower 20fps at 1080p isn’t perfect for action videos. But it’s great for anything other than fast moving subjects – and the photos it produces are brilliant.

I wholeheartedly agree that the best way to get better at photography is to take more photos – I try to take shots every day, and am still learning so much.
.-= Alan@Learn Photography´s last blog ..500D vs 550D: Which One Should You Buy? =-.

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March 25, 2010 at 11:53 am
univision online says:

Hi Mat. I congratulate you on this blog, many novice photographers or empirical always need some tips to make your first good photographs. I’d like to know that camera can be used to start as a photographer, as you say this is not an important value but, if necessary. Thank you very much for the tips!.

[Reply]
Matt McGuire Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 11:57 am
A Canon 30D was used.

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April 3, 2010 at 5:39 am
Sell Property Fast says:

That is exactly what I am doing but what I want to learn is how to take a shoot without using the LCD panel and use the eye viewer. Nearly I came to understand the principle but every time I took a shoot I am not satisfied with the result. Any advice or tip for that? Thanks Matt
.-= Sell Property Fast´s last blog ..Benefits of Using Sell Property Fast Pro =-.

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May 3, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Cowvin says:

Thanks Matt! This is great! I recently got a new camera and a photography guide book from the garage sale experts but the guide was too technical for a novice like me. I have always been fascinated by photography, and while I wanted to be good at it I forgot that I should just take the time to enjoy what I’m doing and expertise will soon fall into it’s place! Thanks Matt!

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July 13, 2010 at 3:39 am
photo contest says:

It was a good post. Being a photographer I want to learn more advance. Can you help me please?

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July 23, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Tony from Chicago says:

Having fun in what you are doing makes you really learn faster, And also interest is also important, because if a person don’t have interest in like example in photography this person won’t become good..

[Reply]
July 26, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Travel artist says:

Matt, I definitely agree. While working with many photographers, I learned that often the best pics actually come out from experiments. And on your last sentence I can’t agree more. Having fun is a must – either you’re a photographer, model, hairstylist or anything else!

[Reply]
August 5, 2010 at 6:58 am
Jonny Somers from Wedding Photographer Leeds says:

Hi Matt I have also got to agree with you. Basic photography equipment is all that is needed to shoot great photographs. It is all about timing for me and that is something which only comes with experience.
Jonny Somers @ Wedding Photographer Leeds´s last [type] ..School’s Out at Deighton Gates

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August 22, 2010 at 12:14 am
suman from Mobile phone offers says:

This is a great tips to take a better photographs. I have canon 5 MP camera and I love to take photos. This will definitely help me a lot.
suman@Mobile phone offers´s last [type] ..Samsung I9000 Galaxy S review and full specification

[Reply]
September 20, 2010 at 2:33 am
Heritage Hotel Jaipur says:

Thanks for posting, i like your blog and reading it carefully,

Please write a blog on Taking the pictures of jewelry with only camera, i have not any other helping accessories for taking picture

Update me

[Reply]
February 9, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Alim says:

Hi Matt…
It is nice to know you…
I am working on furniture and I have a website contains the photos of my products. Well…, this is what I do not like from me…, I never like the photos I took. I always say that those photos are bad.. Your tips above looks so easy to do… I think the most thing I need to master photography is confidence, and also by practicing your tips. The photos on my site aren’t photos I took them myself. I hope you would like to visit my site and let me know your opinion.. Thank you…
Once again…, it is nice to know you here…

[Reply]
April 2, 2011 at 6:02 pm
Sydney wedding photographer says:

Nice advice… digital cameras make it so cheap and easy to just snap away and instantly see whether your photo worked or not. I think forcing yourself to shoot on manual is also a great way to really learn what your camera does so that when you are shooting more automated modes you at least know the basis behind the decisions you are allowing the camera to make so that you are better able to decide if the camera is making the right decisions.
Sydney wedding photographer´s last [type] ..Sydney Advertising Photography – Horsing Around

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April 25, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Selina from Total Curve says:

I remember years ago getting the Olympus E-20. I am pretty sure it was one of the first SLR digital cameras with less than 10Mega Pixels and the lens was not detachable (:

Besides shoot, shoot and shoot some more for good photos I will never forget what one old seasoned told me about using a zoom…

He said, “Don’t zoom in on your subject, approach it.”

Now that can be argued but I’ll never forget it.

Selina

[Reply]
May 25, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Denis says:

Excellent work! Thank you!

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May 30, 2011 at 3:39 am
Backpacker says:

I need an advice. I’m low skilled photographer and I have Nikon COOLPIX 8800. I want to buy Pentax K-r. What do you think about this camera?

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July 17, 2011 at 9:14 am
Steve says:

taking as much photos as possible is not the best if you are on a RTWT – the work you have to do afterwards is a mess…

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August 11, 2011 at 10:25 am
Digital Cameras says:

I feel daunted by a digital camera with a manual setting for this and another for that but will soon ditch the automatic and take the plunge in persuit of higher quality prints.

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September 21, 2011 at 1:09 am
Headshots NYC says:

It takes a lot of practice to be able to master the craft. To add to the list, I would say that you should also make photography your passion so you wouldn’t ever feel like you’re doing it because you have to or it’s part of your job. Good read!
Headshots NYC´s last [type] ..J&J Photography’s Wedding Planning Series: You’ve Just Gotten Engaged…Now What? Part 2 of 3

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October 14, 2011 at 1:53 pm
mike from renewable energy information says:

Thanks for the tip. The thing that really helped me was practice. The more photos I took with different setting, the better I got at choosing the right setting at the right time.

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January 14, 2012 at 10:36 am
Marty from Practical Photography says:

Thank you for all those photos you share. That was really nice and awesome pictures that contributed to the wonderful memories.

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