10 Beyond-Basic Photography Tips

Digital photography can be an addicting hobby. The medium offers instant feedback that you didn't get with film (unless you were shooting Polaroid), and large memory cards allow you to experiment with angles and lighting to your heart's content. If you're past the beginner stage ^[1], photography is your passion, and you're looking for some new ideas to help improve your shooting experience, check out these 10 advanced tips for some inspiration. If you have any tips that you'd like to share, please feel free to add them to the comments section.

1. Shoot in Raw. Most digital cameras are set to capture files in JPG format out of the box. This is very convenient, as it allows you to quickly share files with friends and family—without the need for post-processing. But you're giving up a lot of control by not shooting in Raw—which is an unprocessed file that contains the image as the camera's sensor captured it. A Raw file allows you to tweak colors, exposure, black levels, sharpness, and other attributes with much more flexibility than an already-compressed JPG allows.

2. Consider Off-Camera Lighting. You may have already added a dedicated flash to your camera so that you can avoid the harsh light created by the on-camera flash. But if you really want to experiment with flash photography, moving the flash away from the camera is key. Consider a PocketWizard ^[2] system of wireless remotes to do so. If you're looking for tips and techniques on how to really use off-camera flashes effectively, check out the Strobist ^[3].

3. Try Some Different Lenses. Chances are you've already moved away from the 18-55mm kit lens, either opting for a better quality zoom or a fast prime lens. But if you're stuck in a creative rut, or just want to experiment with some new types of photography, a specialized lens can really come in handy. You can opt for a super-sharp macro lens that can focus close and fill your frame with small objects. You can go in the opposite direction and grab a Lensbaby ^[4], a creative lens system that allows you to adjust the plane of focus, creating photos that have a sharp point of focus that gives way to soft, swirly, dreaminess.

If you have a mirrorless camera your choices are even more vast. There are numerous lens adapters available that make it possible to mount virtually any lens to these cameras for use in manual focus mode. More interesting options include CCTV lenses, which are generally very fast, but produce images with extremely soft corners, Russian rangefinder lenses like the Industar-69 ^[5], and lenses from toy cameras like the Holga ^[6]. Check out How to Use Vintage Lenses on Mirrorless Cameras ^[7] for more ideas. If you want to try a lens before you buy, you can rent online using BorrowLenses ^[8] or LensRentals ^[9].

4. Keep Your Sensor Clean. If you're the type to change lenses in the field, there's a good chance that you've got some dust on your image sensor. This is often invisible at wider apertures, but if you take a photo at f/5.6 or smaller these spots can distract from your photo. Visible Dust ^[10] and Lenspen ^[11] both offer systems for cleaning your camera's sensor.

5. Zoom During Exposure. This may require some practice. Event photographers often apply a bit of a zoom during an exposure to give shots a more dynamic look. Using a flash to freeze the motion of your subject, along with a longer shutter speed so you can change the focal length during the shot will lead to some fun images—if you pull it off. You can also do the same thing during long exposure of fireworks ^[12] (minus the flash, of course).

How to Photograph Fireworks : Zoom During Exposure

6. Replace Your Strap. If you're going to be doing a lot of shooting, you should be comfortable. If you're lugging your D-SLR or mirrorless camera around on the neck strap that came in the box, don't. There are dozens of third-party options out there—many of which are more comfortable and practical. Straps by BlackRapid ^[13] are often used by event photographers who carry multiple bodies with heavy lenses attached. Op/Tech ^[14] also makes a wide variety of straps in styles that are suitable for use for everything from light mirrorless cameras to heavy D-SLRs.

7. Invest in a Workflow Application. You'll need some software to process your Raw images. The best option is Adobe Photoshop Lightroom ^[15]. It offers a nondestructive approach to editing photos—which basically means that the programs record a list of changes that should be made to the Raw file and then output a JPG or TIF version for sharing and printing.

8. Experiment With Post-Processing. It's fun to experiment with the final look and feel of your photos. You can do a lot in Lightroom, but sometimes you're looking for a very specific feel that is out of reach for those applications. The Google Nik Collection ^[16] is a suite of applications that apply different film looks to photos, and can also be used for HDR processing. If you edit photos on a Mac you can also look at similar software from MacPhun ^[17].

9. Print Your Work. It's easy to share your photos online or to view them on a digital picture frame, but if you take a photo that you truly love, it deserves to be printed. You can print at home on an inkjet, but for the best results you'll want to go with a dedicated printing service. Sites like Smugmug ^[18] and Mpix ^[19] offer fun ways to display your work, including prints on canvas, metallic paper, and true black and wh ite photo paper for a classic look. You can also opt for a custom photo book, an update on the classic family album with your photos printed directly onto the pages.

10. Upgrade Your Camera for the Right Reasons. If you're enthusiastic about your photos, you might be itching to buy a new camera. There are plenty of reasons to upgrade, but you don't always have to have the latest camera to take good photos. If you're using an entry-level D-SLR, you'd be better served moving up to a higher-class body rather than a higher-resolution camera of the same class. Semi-pro D-SLRs offer better-quality viewfinders, more physical controls, and sturdier construction.

If you're in the market for a new camera, peruse the Digital Cameras Product Guide ^[20] for the latest reviews, and The 10 Best Digital Cameras ^[21], for the top cameras we've tested.