There are some very common questions that beginners constantly ask from experienced photographers. At times, even if you do know the practical answers to these questions, it might be a tad confusing to put them into words on the spur of the moment. Since these questions are so common, we felt it would be better to address them over here and also provide easily explainable solutions to them.
1. How Do I Achieve a Blurry Background?
Effective blurring can successful redeliver that 100% effect blurry background effect, which the photographer initially set out to achieve. You can also control depth of field and always shoot using a wide aperture.
2. How Do I Attain a Sharp Background?
Sometimes even if we shoot a perfect landscape, it might appear blurry during post production. Or else certain objects in the foreground such as the grass and trees might be in focus, but the background comprising of the mountains and lakes might be more blurred than desired. In such an instance, you can maximize depth of field so that the entire scene is properly in focus, right from the foreground up till the horizon. Always shoot landscapes with a narrow aperture, as it sets the entire scene in sharp focus.
3. Why Do I Get Such Harsh Flash Shots?
A common error most rookies commit is to overpower their flash in dark scenarios. This results in their images possessing a harsh effect with white light that looks unsavory instead of enhancing the shots. To negate this, first the flash lights needs to be diffused. There are several methods to do this successfully. You can put a lightly colored scarf, or a handkerchief, or better yet, a proper pop-on flash diffuser in front of the flash. Another way is to redirect the flash so that its light bounces off the wall, ceiling, or another smooth surface onto the subject.
4. Is it Really Necessary to Control the Depth of Field?
As a professional photographer, it’s your moral obligation to incessantly remind your inexperienced counterparts that depth of field is one of the foremost factors in deciding the kind of photographer you develop into. Make them understand how to direct their subjects’ eyes to particular aspects of the scene, by proportionately blurring the foreground and the background. They need to realize the kind of dramatically different results and lasting impressions these minor yet vital facets of photography can have on their end product.
5. How Important is the Adjustment of ISO?
This is a common confusion among beginners. While shooting with a tripod, the ISO can be fixed at 100 for the best picture quality. But while using a handheld camera, you can play around with the ISO at will. The higher the ISO range, the faster the shutter rates, which in turn result in sharper images. This method is useful while shooting portraits in dimly lit interiors or while capturing rapidly moving subjects. The greater the ISO range, the more chances are for your images to appear grainy. Just remember that it’s easier to retouch a grainy image than a blurry one during post production.
6. What Does Exposure Actually Mean?
This question can be answered by simply stating that exposure is basically the image shot by a DSLR’s sensor, who’s level of brightness depends on the aperture and shutter speed. The combined values of aperture and shutter speed selected, ultimately establish how dark or bright your exposure looks.