How to take a creative photo
Published: 05.10.2021
Since the moment when photography became widely available and almost everyone has a camera in their smartphone, millions of photos are uploaded to the internet daily. It is difficult to stand out and create a truly creative and original photo. Having a great camera does not guarantee that you will have cool photos. To take a good picture, you need to show imagination, choose the right moment, and composition. A creative photo, unlike a mediocre one, brings something new, showing ordinary things from a different perspective. It is not enough to just take a beautiful photo, as there are plenty of such photos on the internet, but they do not touch us and are quickly forgotten. Creative photos leave a lasting impression, they leave an aftertaste, and you want to look at them again and again. A creative photo may not have anything supernatural in it, but it has a certain uniqueness, something that attracts. For example, a photo of an Afghan girl with green eyes is so piercing that it has circled the world and become famous. Creative photography can capture unusual natural phenomena or human actions. The main criterion by which one can judge that a photo is creative is that it evokes emotions and does not leave anyone indifferent. Let's consider what techniques need to be used to take truly good pictures.
What to pay attention to in the camera settings to create creative photos
To create a good photograph, not only the right moment is needed, but also knowledge of how to properly adjust the camera. To ensure the quality of your photos, we recommend paying attention to the following points:
- 1. Proper exposure. Long exposure allows you to create unique effects in photos: freeze a moving object, show the trajectory of movement, separate the main subject from the background, create a blurred background. To achieve an unusual photo, experiment with the duration of exposure.
- 2. Aperture adjustment. The way your photo will ultimately look depends on how wide open the lens is. By adjusting the aperture settings, you can create a blurring effect or, conversely, add sharpness.
- 3. Image graininess. The graininess of a photo is determined by the ISO. In low light conditions, it is advisable to increase the ISO to get clearer images, while in bright sunlight during the day, it should be decreased. Usually, graininess in a photo indicates a flaw, but sometimes interesting effects can be achieved using this technique.
- 4. Proper focusing. All cameras have an autofocus function. Beginners often hesitate to adjust the focus manually and rely on the automatic function. However, to make the right accents and not just rely on technology, it is better to shoot in manual mode. With proper focusing, you can emphasize the main and secondary elements, giving the photo more expressiveness. If you want to shoot like a professional, switch off the automatic mode.
What techniques help to create creative photos?
To add expressiveness and creativity to your photos, we recommend using the following tips:
- 1. Take photos for your portfolio with professional equipment, even if you have the latest model iPhone and think that the mobile camera takes great pictures. Do not skimp on a photographer with professional optics. The difference between a mobile and a DSLR camera is noticeable. Professional photos are significantly different from amateur ones.
- 2. Do not include too many photos in your portfolio, even if you really like them. No employer will be reviewing hundreds of your pictures. Save the clients' time, be concise. Choose only the best shots. It's better to have 10 high-quality photos than 100 mediocre ones.
- 3. Use a variety of photos for your portfolio. Show that you can be versatile and look different. Try to showcase all of your strengths.
- 4. Use high-quality photos. Customers need to see details and examine specifics. Make sure all images are in high resolution.
- 5. Don't forget about adding a textual description to your photos in the portfolio. Sometimes, it's not entirely clear from the image what the author wants to express. In addition, text can significantly enhance the photo. For example, if a model posts a picture from the runway, it's worth mentioning the fashion show, the clothing collection, and other clarifying information.
- 6. Regularly update your portfolio and add new photos. All photos should be current and in line with modern trends. If the clothing on the models is from a decade ago and out of style, it will be a negative in your portfolio. Use the latest and trendy shots.
Cool photos deserve unusual framing. Print your cool photos in the style of Polaroid. Fans of instant photography from the 90s can experience familiar feelings by holding a photo in the style of Polaroid. For those unfamiliar with the traditional Polaroid, square images with space for captions will be to their liking.
