How to Start Taking Good Photos

(Learn the Basics and Know Your Equipment Well)

By Hermes M. Singson

So what if you only have a 3.2 mega pixel point-and-shoot camera? Why get intimidated in a group-shootout if all of them have DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras? What will you do? Will that stop you in taking a good photograph? I hope not!


If you are a beginner or novice, or has a 3.2 mega pixel point-and-shot camera, this is a photography tip for you. In every photographer there is always a first time, especially, if you are really new in this field. In photography you will be doing a lot of things for the first time, and you need to try them out, so that, if someday you were confronted with the same situation you would know how to deal and execute it. You also need to start somewhere, so I suggest, that you start from the beginning and do not skip the learning process. Just like when you watched a movie, you start from the beginning up to the end, ‘coz by doing so, it will be much easier to understand.

Learn the basics in photography, enroll in a class, or join group sessions, or even better get photography books so you can always go back to review what you have learned. Do not neglect the basics; it is one of the important foundations for your photography. Know what aperture, shutter speed and ISO (speed) are for, and really get to understand them very well. Because if you did, no matter what situation you are in, you would know what aperture, shutter speed or ISO to use in taking a photograph. From what you learn put it into practice and see if you really understood it, and also take down notes for reminders. Practice handling the camera; hold it in the most comfortable way that you can hold it steady, may it be in the horizontal or vertical position. Look at some illustrations for guidance. Like drawing a pistol, sometimes you need to shoot fast in order not to miss a shot. So keep practicing. Also, read and study the manual of your camera; know what every buttons and dial control is for. Why? Because they would have not put it there in the first place if there was no need for it. Learn it’s capabilities and limitations, use it where you know you can make the most with it. So check them out and know your equipment well.

As I have learned from the book “Photographic Composition” by Ben Clements & David Rosenfeld, “The camera is a sensitive tool that responds to the thinking of a person who operates it and no amount of technical knowledge, craftsmanship, and care can make the camera produce art when it is guided by a non artist.” And that says it all. So think again… it is illogical and nonsense to think that you cannot take a good photograph even though you only have a 3.2 mega pixel camera. But please be reminded, I am not saying that you stick with it, for starters this is fine. As time goes by, if you feel you need an upgrade, or if your shots are getting better and would make good prints, and if it permits that you have the budget to get a DSLR camera, then, please do so. Because it would be a shame, if you have good photographs and you cannot make big quality blow-ups with it.

Basically, to take good photographs does not depend so much on the camera you use; it depends more with you on how well you will use what you know and what you have learned. So have patience, practice and never stop learning. – HMS

From top to bottom: 1900 (Malate), Colorful Exterior, Old Hydrant and Palm Leaves. All photos © 2005 Hermes Singson. All photos taken with Nikon CoolpixE3700