There is no substitute for hands on training and a good teacher when it comes to taking the perfect shot! Photography can capture a memory and turn it into simple tourism or elevate it to artistic excellence. Skill is essential. Read some tips and tricks that others have found beneficial from experience:

When you are shooting a photo of someone, make sure that you are close to them to maximize the quality of the details on their face. This is very important, as you will want to capture every aspect of their expression to help to personalize the photos that you take.

You should create depth and perspective when photographing landscapes. Establish a sense of scale by placing an object within the foreground of your picture. You can get decent focus on both foreground and background objects by using a small aperture setting: Something under f/8 with a standard digital camera or f/16 when using a full-frame SLR.

When composing shots, set your white balance manually, instead of relying on the automatic settings. Setting your white balance manually gives you more control over the contrast and mood of your photo. You can make photos look more stark or more natural, and it’s all up to you. Don’t let the computer program decide how your photos will look.

When photographing portraits, isolate your subject. Use a medium telephoto lens or the medium telephoto setting on your zoom. That, combined with a large aperture (try f/4 or larger), blurs the foreground and background. Focus on the eyes. Use diffused lighting for a flattering look. If outdoors, wait for an overcast sky or shoot with the subject in the shadows and the sun at your back.

Use the tips and tricks provided in this article to help you with your photo efforts. While there is no real substitute for personal experience, you can certainly benefit from what others can teach you. Make your photos special! Turn a simple memory into art! Work on your skills to perfect the art of photography!