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Take more photos - This seems to be the single most important thing you can do to improve your photography. However, there are a couple of caveats. |
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Be honest - If it doesn't work, admit it. |
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Don't over-critisize - Admit it when it has all come together. |
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Learn how your camera works - The better you know your equipment, the more time you can spend on the creative aspects: viewpoint, compostion, etc. |
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Be aware of the "rules" - There are a number of rules suggested for good composition. (thirds, level horizons, simple backgrounds, etc...)
I think it helps to be aware of these, but don't feel they have to be followed slavishly. If anything, they're only suggestions of things that might work in certain circumstances. |
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Become familiar with the work of other photographers - Find artists whose work you enjoy (or hate) and try and work out why you like it (or don't). Avoid trying to copy another artist's style, but be aware that you can learn from other people's images, even if just to say, "I'd never do *that*!". |
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You have feet, use them - Move around, try different viewpoints. Remember that you can bend your knees, or lie on the ground, or stand on a chair to change your height. (But be careful about it. Personal safety should always come first.) |
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You don't need exotic locations or good weather - Different days and locations suit different subjects. A little forward planning can help. Or try "studio" work on days when it's too nasty to be outside. |
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Crop, crop and crop some more - Crop in camera, crop on enlarging. Make your picture punchy, by removing extraneous details. |
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Lesley Mitchell 2003
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