Why once we get used to the camera we only "take" out for a walk on the big occasions ?, What about those valuable first moments in which we discovered that this was much more than a passing fad ?, Those moments in those who photography became part of our lives as the most fascinating hobby we would have ever discovered? Those moments in which we photographed everything without order or concert, a fallen leaf, the knob of a door, some sandals on a tile, a very close-up of your cat's eyelashes ... Those first times it seemed to you that you were evolving by leaps and bounds. And surely, even if you don't believe it, it was, because you practiced , because you sharpened the ingenuity with the use of small everyday things , because you gave yourself to your new hobby with passion . With the passage of time we tend to fall into laziness or to think that this rookie phase is over, as if we had to overcome it! Great mistake! That enthusiasm of "newbies" is the great ally of any photographer. Without that, there is little left, we become lazy, we practice little, inspiration leaves us and we lose enthusiasm. What a dramatic scenario, right? Well, almost everything in this life has a solution, and luckily, practice we have it at your fingertips every day in any corner and with any object.
1. PLAY WITH DEPTH OF FIELD
Or what is the same; Play with the opening of your goal. As you know, the more you open the diaphragm (f / 1: 4, f / 2: 8, etc.), the less depth of field or area focused on the image you will have. Mastering the opening will give you interesting images especially when you want to isolate an object from the background or highlight a part of it. If you use the opposite technique, you will close the diaphragm (f / 16, etc.), which will give you more area focused on your image.2. HIGH SPEED PHOTOGRAPHY
Or how to photograph a drop without dying of despair . You will have seen those fascinating images of a drop captured at the precise moment before falling on a liquid surface, or that of an object falling on a liquid and spilling perfect frozen drops everywhere. Well, to get these magnificent images you need nothing more than your camera, a little patience, something liquid and a little imagination.3. FORCED PERSPECTIVE WITH EVERYDAY OBJECTS
Forced perspective is a type of perspective that we use to "fool" the eye, making two objects that are on different planes appear to be in it, creating "impossible" images.4. OBJECTS IN HIGH KEY
If you like high contrast images against an impeccable white background, you cannot stop using this technique. A white background, lots of light, a tripod and follow the instructions in this article that explains step by step how to convey positivism, peace and happiness through this technique, is all you need to get these fascinating images.5. LOW KEY OBJECTS
If, on the contrary, you are more interested in the mystery embodied in a black background and low light, I recommend that you try to photograph in a low key. A black or very dark background, low light and punctually directed on the object, and some tests and adjustments depending on the situation, is all you need to photograph in low key.6. THE SMOKE
Did you think you couldn't photograph something as ethereal as smoke? This article will show you that not only is it possible, but that the results you can obtain are magnificent. You only need an opaque black background, something that makes smoke, a tripod and an external flash ... Do you dare?7. MACRO
I could not miss the macro-homemade photography. At home we have time and we master all the variables as if it were a study, so we have time to make mistakes, to repeat, to practice and solve situations. It is a great time to start in macro photography before launching outside to photograph other objects. Do you know how amazing the objects around us can be seen daily at size 1: 1 (ie giant ... )?8. MINIMALIST COMPOSITIONS
A very good way to learn composition is to practice with everyday objects, since we have them at hand, they do not move and do not get fed up with our experiments. Practice with the rules of basic composition such as the rule of thirds, that of the golden ratio, the negative space , the lines , the law of the horizon and a long etcetera, with a simple composition (of an element or very few) is one of the best ways to learn composition that you will find.9. COMPLEX COMPOSITIONS: STILL LIFES
Once you master the minimalist compositions, you can dare with the compositions that include more than one element. How about some still lifes to Rembrandt? Do you dare to create a picture of the seventeenth century in your own kitchen? Still lifes will help you practice with complex compositions and with the orientation and strength of light. Take your time and enjoy learning.10. LIGHT AND DIFFERENT LIGHTING SCHEMES
The difference between a lighting scheme or another or one type of light or another, is essential to understand the why of an image, to anticipate the result, to train your photographic eye and control your scenes. What is the difference between soft and hard light ?, and between natural and artificial light ?, What is the difference between a zenith and a lateral illumination ? Mount your everyday scenes in your home as if it were a laboratory, your camera and the objects around you can be your best school. Remember that many of the great photographers of all time are self-taught; there is no better way to learn11. PAINTING WITH LIGHT: LIGHTPAINTING
We have already talked about lightpainting on occasion. If you have a camera that you can program manually, a dark scene, a tripod, a light source (candles, flash, flashlight ...) and maybe and optionally an assistant, you already have your lightpainting photography.12. THE POINT OF VIEW
Popular wisdom already tells us that everything depends on the point of view by which you look at something, right? Well, in photography it is exactly the same. Do not limit yourself to photographing from the same point of view , since you will be missing approximately 80% of interesting alternative images to yours. Forget about always shooting comfortably from your height. Get down, get up to your object, get on top of it and sting it or underneath it and make it a counter-sting. Move and experiment, do not limit yourself "to the usual"; The angle and perspective vary .13. THE DOUBLE EXPOSURE
I think there are few techniques as easy and with as surprising results as double exposure . The possibility of mixing two realities in the same image , two different narratives united in one ... The possibilities of this technique are endless. You can mix objects, textures, concepts, portray the passage of time , or everything that comes to mind.14. THE BOKEH
Is it me or does this technique really make scenes of 6 quickly become scenes of 8.5? I don't know why, but those warm, repetitive and unfocused forms manage to contribute so much to an image, but the truth is that it is so, and best of all, it is quite easy to achieve this effect. If you want to know how, here is step by step how to achieve this effect.15. REFLECTIONS "OF WALKING AT HOME"
Bright surfaces such as the dark marble of your kitchen, or the freshly waxed floor, a mirror or whatever you can think of, can create very interesting compositions in your photography of everyday objects.16. MIXING DIFFERENT ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES
It is not my case, but if for example you know how to draw and you like photography, why don't you try to mix your two hobbies to see what result you get? Photography is not isolated. It feeds on you and all the things you have learned and unlearned throughout life. Why not make it a part of them and give an original touch to your images?17. ABSTRACTION
The repetitive lines or patterns, the textures, the repetitive or combined colors, the placement of an object in a place that does not belong to it, its isolation, a limited focus ... Everything is susceptible to abstracting us to other abstract realities.18. TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET STARTED IN PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY
Knowledge does not take place, and you never know where your hobby can take you. Also, as complicated as everything may seem to you at the beginning, the truth is that all you need is a camera, time, motivation and practice . You don't even need a lot of money, since most things can be solved with some DIY and homemade imagination. You would be surprised by the study that you can mount with a homemade light and white cards… I recommend this fantastic article from which you will not only extract ideas to photograph products, but also to experiment with anything around you.19. POST PROCESSING
It is time to experiment, to find your style, to help your image grow old or to make it avant-garde, to transform it into black and white, to sepia, to make it real or unreal, to find the space in which you feel comfortable outside from the opinion of others (which is always appreciated but does not have to be decisive). For this I recommend that you have previously configured your camera in RAW so that you have more freedom in processing and with better results. The best photography school is the one you have at your fingertips , the one that allows you to practice, innovate, err, learn ... It's all that surrounds you. Don't wait to make that great trip, to have that wonderful objective, or that camera you dream of. None of that will make you a better photographer. It won't even allow you to get better photos. To be better, there is only one recipe, practice without stopping, and, what better and easier than doing it with everything that you have at your fingertips at every moment? So you know, let's practice! And if you liked it and think that someone else will take advantage of this article, share it on Google+, Facebook or Twitter. Thank you!