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How to Take A Professional Photo

CreativeSkillsHow-to

The advancements of smartphone cameras have made photography more common, thus increasing the worth of a professional photograph. Crafting a professional quality picture might seem as easy as pressing a button, but it is a skill that you can hone with practice. Understanding lighting, framing, and focus can help you take on incredible picture no matter what type of equipment you are using. Learning how to take a professional photograph and implementing some tips and tricks for success can lead to a great result.

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The lens quality of smartphones has dramatically improved over the last few years, so it is entirely possible to take a professional-quality photo on your phone.

The Benefits of Taking Professional Photos

Photography is a versatile and transferable skill that can help you succeed in various fields. Many businesses want com photographic content for their websites or social media pages, and professional photography can help secure you a role in one of those positions.

 

Generally, three ways exist to help a photographer sell their work:

 

1. A company can hire you directly, pay you a salary, and request various work during business hours.

2. Photographers can work as contractors and sell photographs per contractual agreements to multiple clients.

3. A photographer can upload their art to different photo selling services so that businesses and individuals can buy the picture.

man holding camera

How to Take a Professional Photo

First, select your subject or what you would like to photograph.

 

It can be a person, a landscape, or an item. Choosing your subject first is important because it can dictate what equipment and lighting you might need for the photograph.

 

Deciding what you would like to photograph also reinforces a decision about the ultimate goal of the picture. Trying a few different techniques during a photo session is expected, but the photographer will always have the desired result in mind.

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Second, be sure to use the right camera equipment.

 

When you start your career or hobby as a photographer, the amount of gear available for shoots can be intimidating. What’s excellent though is that you do not need a professional setup to produce a high-quality photograph.

taking a photograph on top of a mountain

Tips like using a tripod for steadiness and leveraging new and vastly advanced smartphone cameras can help you quickly develop into a successful photographer.

 

Third, adjust your lighting appropriately.

 

Proper lighting helps the subject of your photograph be highlighted. Mastering the art of lighting can dramatically create a more upscale look. Try taking advantage of natural light by photographing at specific times of the day or shifting your camera angle. Additionally, if you take a photograph of a person, it is best to light from the front to help balance shadows.

person taking photos with a digital camera

How do you take professional pictures with your phone?

The lens quality of smartphones has dramatically improved over the last few years, so it is entirely possible to take a professional-quality photo on your phone.

 

Phone cameras have other elements as well, like the ability to narrow the depth of focus. A vital tactic when using your phone to take a picture is to frame the subject properly. Practice makes progress, so framing your subject in new and creative ways is an exciting way to find your photography style naturally.

 

Finally, it is easy to spend a lot of time on the subject of your photography, but be sure to notice carefully what distractions or other objects are around the subject of your picture.

 

Find unique angles for your photograph. For instance, using a ladder to get a perspective from a higher angle can be a great way to diversify your skills. Choosing a focal point for each photograph helps draw the viewer’s eyes to the picture’s subject – angles and focal points can refresh your portfolio and create beautiful professional-looking pictures.

How to Use Photo Editing Software

camera and tablet creator setup

To create a professional photograph, you might be surprised to learn that most experts in the field use some photo editing or enhancing software.

 

Properly using your camera, selecting your subject, choosing a focal point, and lighting to accentuate the subject is the first half of taking a professional-grade photograph. Photofinishing is just as essential to ensure your picture rises to the level of professionalism.

 

Editing allows the photographer to control the final product by shifting contrast levels to highlight the lighting work that the photographer did while the photo was being taken. Additionally, editing created that polished look that is associated with a professional portrait.

 

Using your smartphone in conjunction with some apps can give you that same editing power that some experts in the field use. Social media apps, like Instagram, have filters to enhance the look of a picture and add different effects to pictures. Creating a specific social media account to practice your photography skills is a fun way to get practice and share your work.

person holding digital camera

Tips for Taking a Professional Photo

Improving your photography skills will require a bit of dedication, but it can be worthwhile to start a new hobby or hope to begin a new career in photography.

 

Becoming a better photographer begins with lots of practice. The more photos you take and edit, the better you will become at taking pictures and developing your personal photography style. Following professional photographers on social media can help inspire your work, and often, experts in the field will share their tips and tricks on their accounts.

 

If you have a photographer you like and respect, you can ask them to serve as your mentor, review your work, and offer feedback based on your goals. Mentors can help you find your voice and develop your look as an artist.

 

Creating a specific social media account or developing a portfolio is a great way to share your work with potential clients or future employers.

 

Another great way to network and share your photography is entering into photography challenges that offer specific prompts. A prompt can help you step outside of your comfort zone and can develop different types of photography skills.

 

Developing your photography skills and beginning a path towards becoming a professional photographer is exciting. Utilizing these tips and recommendations will allow you to become better at taking photos regardless if you have a smartphone camera or a large amount of camera gear.

 
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