The 100 rules of photography!

Mycroft H

Spotted a list like this on flickr or dpreview, cant really remember. Anyway the idea is that each person gives a rule and we work down from 100.

Hopefully it will become a collaborative source of tips and tricks for newbies and the old hands alike.



100. Always have the lens cap off, you never know when the shot of a lifetime will be in front of you, and you cant get the lens cap off!

Happened to me before!

KarmaGarda

99. Always take more than 1 shot.

I've often come back to a slightly out of focus/something just in the pic only to be thankful I've another few waiting on the memory card to go through.

elven

before someone starts whinging about why you shouldn't have rules...

98. Check your ISO.

smash

97. Always have your lens set to autofocus... last thing you want is a missed chance on a quick fire shot because of a blurred image!

DaireQuinlan

elven wrote: »

before someone starts whinging about why you shouldn't have rules...

98. Check your ISO.

96 THERE ARE NO RU... damnit.

in that case,

96: Always make sure your fingers are somewhere else other than in front of the lens.

Tallon

95: Charge charge charge your camera

Paulw

94: Make sure you have your memory card in the camera and it has enough space for your task.

GristlyEnd

93. Check your exposure compesation

Morrisseeee

This list is gonna be long ! Maybe the OP should stick them all in the 1st post, but it'll be a long opening post then !! but........

92. Don't forget your shovel if you wanna.......nope OK then, don't forget your TRIPOD !

/Edit: 94A. Always check if some one has posted beofre you ! I was 94 when I replied originally....

CabanSail

91. Allow some room around the frame for cropping & leveling.

Tallon

Morrisseeee wrote: »

This list is gonna be long

Yeah?... about 100 posts

90: Never be afraid to shoot the unknown

positivenote

89. Take more photos

jao

88. Try and have a steady hand/ use something to balance the camera

ike

87. Always have a camera with you!

topper75

86. Take time to fool around with B&W. Especially when the 'form' of the subject is of interest.

TanG411

85. bring a spare memory card. Especially for weddings and special events

AnCatDubh

84. Wear warm clean undergarments before you go shooting (you might get run over by a bus you know).

ok, okay, to be serious for a minute (but you have to admit that one was good)

84. learn the rule of thirds, then learn how to break the rule and still produce wonderful photographs

jao

83. Have fun. Take photos of what you want when you want.

xia

82. You see and learn something new every day. So never assume your pictures are perfect and can't get any better

gloobag

81. Don't just stand there like a tourist and take a photo. Get down on your knees or belly or climb up on top of something. Try to get a unique perspective on your subject.

dinneenp

80. Portraits/group photos- take some shots when they're not expecting it (1,2,3, cheese and everyone is posing 'un-naturally'. Chat to the person and snap away, or else pretend to be getting settings etc and snap.

CabanSail

79. Aim for Quality rather than Quantity.

duffarama

78. Make sure there's film loaded in your camera, and you've at least one spare roll with you

Dragan

77: If your angle of vision has changed dramatically then chances are your settings need to.

Kbeg3

76. Shoot RAW if your comfortable with it. You won't be sorry!

Brndn

75. Never forget to clean your lens.

gorilla_image

74. Take at least one good photo everyday.

jrd

73. Spare battery or two. Absolute must if taking long exposures.

Mycroft H

72. When working in manual mode, make sure you you return it to programme or arpeture mode when your finished. I've often forgot it was in manual and have had a load of underexposed or over exposed images before i realised.

Thoie

71. When shooting landscapes, take the time to really really really look around the viewfinder before shooting. I have a blindspot for telegraph poles

challengemaster

70. Don't shoot into the sun unless you've got some clue of what you're doing

Ghost Train

69. Early morning or late in the day when the sun is low in sky is a good time for shooting landscapes. Usually get more shadows and less flat looking photos

Anouilh

68. Play with Custom White Balance for some unusual effects:

[IMG][/img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2835610089_25159742f8.jpg


http://www.flickr.com/groups/sooc/discuss/72157594491074096/#comment72157607158741936

mrmac

67. Remember - "one mans rubbish, is another mans gold" - so just take pictures that YOU are happy with, and to hell with everyone else! (They're all wrong; wrong I tell ya!!)

charybdis

66. Have a quick mental checklist that you run through whenever you pick up your camera: battery, card/film, white balance, ISO, exposure mode, exposure compensation, metering mode, autofocus, autofocus mode, self timer, etc....

65. Backup your data, properly and regularly.

mrmac

64. Try to get the best shot you can, straight from the camera. Film users learn this the hard way. If you're using digital, review your image, and make adjustments if you have to. There's only so much you can do in PP.

Cosmo K

63 Always format your memory card before you start shooting.

AnCatDubh

62. Don't put 35mm film into your DSLR. No really, don't do it.

ok, okay, the serious one next (what do you mean that ^^^^ wasn't serious?)

62. Try keep your lens changes short and snappy, and do them in minimal dust environments. It will help reduce the risk of dust getting onto the sensor. (sorry - but even if following this tip, dust will still eventually get you at some stage. So think of this as avoidance rather than elimination).

KarmaGarda

61. Always read AnCatDubhs second tip. The first ones are rubbish.

:pac:

Ah no, here's one:

61. Patience, patience, and then... more patience.

As someone once told me, good photography talent often comprises of 20% skill and 80% patience. You'll often spend more time waiting/setting up/focussing/etc than actually spotting and taking a good photo.

Mellor

60. Don't throw away old or damaged film, use it anyway, the results may surprise you.

Howitzer

59. Money saver: Foam yoga mats from your local 2-euro store offer good kit protection once cut to size...

AnCatDubh

58. yellow snow is probably not just a white balance issue.

ok, this ^^^^^^^^ was semi sensible

58. on the subject of low cost alternatives, you can diffuse harsh light sources (flash) with all kinds of everything; a cut out of a milk carton, an empty film canister, or if you were really stuck - a clean tissue.

57. Sometimes the simpler the better,look to see is there too much clutter in the viewfinder.

Bucklesman

56. Look behind you!

Often the best shots are in the most unlikely of places. When everyone looks one way, point your camera the other!

Fionn

55. Use a Polarising Filter for Landscape and General outdoor photography. It reduces glare etc. resulting in richer and vibrant colours especially in the blue sky. Try and shoot with the sun at a 90° angle to your line of sight.

54. Aim to capture a level horizon. Because we stand upright and look out at the horizon we percieve it to be level. It looks unnatural if it's tilted even slightly.

smelltheglove

53. Keep your camera out of reach of 2yr olds.

Always leave your camera switched on, nothing worse in zooming and pressing the button only to realise the camera is off!

humberklog

52. Bring sambos. This isn't a joke as it really makes a difference when you're completely self sufficient. It takes away thinking about where your gonna eat and lets you crack on.


Today I had corned beef hash, butter (breaking kosher:eek:) and english mustard. Delish.

Blisterman

51. Check the edges of your frame to make sure you're not barely cutting off something which would look better completely in frame.

For example, in photographing architecture, trying to fit in as much of a building as possible and finding out later, you cut off the top few inches of a spire or minaret, will frustrate you no end.

sheesh

50: Spend more time framing the shot. more time framing is supposed to lead to better shots.

karlog

49:

Remember to take the lens cap off

dakar

Alternate #49 since I think the lens cap thing has been mentioned (but still very good advice!)

'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson is probably the best investment a new dslr user will ever make in terms of getting full value out of their new toy.

48. 'If your pictures aren't good enough you're not close enough.' - Robert Capa

Don't whinge about your lack of gear. Humans have a useful built in feature called bipedal zoom, use it.

If you don't know who Robert Capa is :

47: Google 'Robert Capa'