What are the basics of photography?

[audrey21love]

I take really good pictures, but they just happen. I want to know how and what I'm doing so that I can get good pictures more frequently.
I have no idea what cameras are good, how to tell if a camera is good, or anything like that. Please don't just say "shutter blah blah... light blah blah...settings..." Because I don't know what any of it means. Elaborate, I want to know as much as possible.

 

[Mere_Mortal]

It's too bad that you do not know what any of that means. You should always know the basics of your tools...that will help you create your art.

Composition, Light, Subject are the basics of photography.

 

[gatewaycityca]

That shutter "blah blah blah" is absolutely critical to photography. If you don't even WANT to learn about basic things like shutter speed and aperture settings, then you just aren't ready for photography. You won't be able to take better pictures until you learn about the basics. It sounds like you aren't willing to take the effort to learn...so why should anyone bother trying to help you?

IF you WERE serious about wanting to improve your photography, then I would tell you that the very first thing you absolutely must learn about is exposure. The eposure is one of the most important things - whether your picture is too light or too dark, the amount of detail you pick up in bright areas and shadows, etc. You have to learn about it, there's just no way around it. And in order to learn about exposure, you're going to HAVE to learn about shutter speed and aperture settings. The way you're asking your question is like saying..."I want to learn how to drive a car, but I don't tell me anything about a gas pedal or brake or stuff about gears, blah blah blah."

In order to learn more about photography, you're going to have to learn about ISO, shutter speed, and aperture settings. There's just no way around that. If you don't want to learn about that, then you aren't ready for photography. Period. There are ways to explain it in simpler terms that are easier to understand, but the tone in your question is extremely insulting. If you don't appreciate that photography is a skill that has to be studied and learned, and you don't want to learn...then why should anyone waste their time trying to help you? Photography is an art, but it is also a technical skill that must be learned and practiced.

 

[Sadie I]

Okay I'm going to tell you that it doesn't really matter what type of camera you have to create a great image.

A few sentences won't be able to tell you everything you need to know, even those who have been practicing photography for twenty years know everything.

Probably one of the best ways to learn will be by joining a local camera club, or going on a course. Failing those the other way is to write down the settings you have used and eventually you will learn an understanding of taking a great image. It won't happen overnight.

Here is a link full of information that may be relevant http://www.silverlight.co.uk/tutorials/toc.html

I hope this helps.

 

[Steve P]

I know you are sincere with your question, but you are actually insulting photographers here. Photography is not something that can be taught to you in a few sentences here in this little box. Good photographers have spent many years, often with formal school training, learning the craft, and you still never cease learning.

No one can just type out a few words here and all of a sudden you will be all knowing of all things photography. As I said, I know you are sincere, but your question is totally ridiculous.

You need to enroll at any photography course in a school, or if you can't or don't want to do that, there is a world of resources available in print and on the internet to get you on your way.

You can visit Better Photo.com or Ken Rockwell.com to get going on some learning.

Proper photography is a SKILL and art that requires time and effort on a person's part to learn. Shutter, light, settings blah blah blah is part of it. If you don't know what any of it means there is no crime in that, but don't expect people here to be able to magically put it all in your head with no effort on your part. Can't be done.

steve

 

[fivetoze]

ah, the ignorace is bliss approach... mmm i like it...

well, in the absence of any knowledge, i'd say you were one lucky person. you have an eye...

no one ever told michaelangelo, hey dude' thats a nice brush...
no thinking husband ever said, why honey, that a lovely cake you baked, you must have a fantastic oven...

ohotgraphers (thats me) take photgraphs, we look we see, we compose meter and expose... theres rules, obviously. but rules were always meant to be broken...

you take really good pics, well, i'd like a look... a link will do...

the glass, isnt as important as the person who views life thru it...