In this article, I have compiled 8 common subjects we often photograph. I'll explain the key points of shooting each subject to help you improve your photography skills in the future.
1.Portrait Photography
- Shooting Mode: Use aperture priority mode for static portraits and shutter priority mode for dynamic portraits.
- Parameter Settings: Use a large aperture for small scene portraits and a small aperture for large scene portraits.
- Composition Methods: Suitable compositions for portraits include the rule of thirds, center composition, and the nine-square grid.
- Points to Note: When shooting portraits, focus on the subject’s eyes and pay attention to facial exposure.
2.Shooting Still Life and Flowers
- Shooting Mode: Use aperture priority mode or manual mode.
- Parameter Settings: Generally use an aperture value above F5.6. A focal length above 50mm produces a more natural effect. Set the ISO to the lowest.
- Composition Methods: The nine-square grid and center composition are suitable for still life and flowers.
- Points to Note: Get the lens as close to the subject as possible to highlight details and achieve better background blur.
3.Taking Photo for Starry Sky
- Shooting mode set to manual mode.
- The Parameter Settings: Using a wide-angle lens, and the wider the better. Rotate the focus ring to infinity. Shutter speed varies from several seconds to several hours.
- Use a large aperture to let in more light and shorten exposure time. ISO can be range from 100 to 1000. Generally,the composition methods use the center composition.
- Note: A tripod and shutter release cable are necessary.
4.Shooting Night Scenes
- Shooting Mode: Use manual mode.
- Parameter Settings: Use a tripod to shoot with low ISO and small aperture to capture details while ensuring image quality.
- Composition Methods: Symmetrical composition and the rule of thirds are commonly used.
- Points to Note: Use a tripod for assistance. If unavailable, keep shutter speed above the safe value, and increase ISO if necessary to maintain shutter speed, sacrificing some image quality.
5.Shooting Sunrises and Sunsets
- Shooting Mode: Use aperture priority mode or manual mode.
- Parameter Settings: Use a small aperture between f/8 and f/16. Set ISO to the lowest due to sufficient lighting.
- Composition Methods: The rule of thirds is commonly used.
- Points to Note: Be aware of glare. Use a lens hood. Use a tripod if available. Meter the area near the sun for balanced exposure. Increase exposure compensation by 1-1.5 EV for correct brightness and color.
6.Shooting Long Exposure
- Shooting Mode: Use manual mode.
- Parameter Settings: Set ISO to the lowest and use a small aperture between f/8 and f/14. Use a neutral density filter if the light is too bright to achieve long exposure.
- Composition Methods: The rule of thirds and foreground composition are commonly used.
- Points to Note: A tripod and shutter release cable are essential. Use a neutral density filter for long exposure during the day.
7.Shooting Silhouettes
- Shooting Mode: Use manual mode.
- Parameter Settings: Use a small aperture like f/8 or f/10. Use spot metering on the brightest part of the scene to turn the subject into a silhouette.
- Composition Methods: Use center composition or the nine-square grid.
- Points to Note: Shoot in backlight conditions without any reflective objects in front of the subject to ensure the subject is silhouetted.
8.Shooting in the Rain
- Shooting Mode: Use aperture priority or manual mode.
- Parameter Settings: Use a large aperture. For short raindrops, use a shutter speed of around 1/100s. For long raindrops, use around 1/20s. Adjust based on the rain speed and desired effect. Test different shutter speeds to find the best one.