Taking a step into the wondrous and creative land of photography for the very first time might feel a tad bit intimidating, but by keeping the helpful tips listed below in mind, you will soon find yourself taking photos on par with some of the best photographers in the field.

Set up some basic programs for your DSLR camera. By setting some of the basic values ahead of time, you don’t have to mess with them in the event that you want to get a shot in, in a short amount of time. Instead, you just press the button and start shooting.

Use manual white balance to spice up your photos. It is possible to let the camera decide the proper white balance for a given environment, but sometimes the camera will get it wrong and the photo will look washed out. Using a manual white balance also allows you to take artsy photos with sepia tones, for instance.

If you are taking pictures in the sun during the spring or summer, make sure to turn the flash on. Failing to put the flash on your camera can result in a bad glare, which can taint your photos. Once you turn the flash on, you can take pictures as you usually would.

If you’re doing a landscape shot, try and capture some movement in the shot. Whether it’s the wind blowing the trees or a wave crashing against the shore, capturing this movement can add an extra layer of depth to the photograph. If you’re going to try and capture movement, make sure you’ve got the shutter speed set correctly.

After reading and using these tips, you should have more confidence in your photo taking ability. With the knowledge you now have on photography, you should feel eager to tackle some challenging scenarios and build your skills.