Lately, the use of digital cameras has created a whole other field of photography. As a beginner, you might see these photos, which have drastically been edited in computer programs or on phone apps such as Instagram, and feel like you could never create photos like that as a beginner. While it’s true some photographers use Photoshop or other photo editing applications to create interest or contrast in photographs, even a beginning photographer can start taking some amazing photographs. Here are a few tips to take better photos as you are getting more comparable behind the camera:

Create composition – One of the most common rules in photography is called the ‘rule of thirds’. This concept helps you create more visual interest in photographs by placing the subjects in strategic locations within the frame. Since it could get quite boring to see the object of your photo in the dead center of every image, the rule of thirds helps you move the camera round to capture the different elements in your photograph. Many digital cameras feature a grid overlay in the settings, so you can implement the technique as you take photos.

Choose the right shooting mode – You’ll notice on a digital camera there are various modes for which you can choose while taking photos – the faster your images move, the higher the shutter speed needs to be adjusted. Adjust the settings on your camera to capture quick moments, such as a moving bird in flight or your favorite sports player making a game-winning goal.

Always be aware of your lighting – Have you ever taken a photo and realized it looks too dark and you can’t quite make out the images in the photograph? Lighting plays a key role in how well your photos turn out. When you’re taking photos outside, avoid taking pictures with when the sun is behind the subject, as it will not show up very well in that frame. Many cameras automatically use the flash when it detects a lack of light, but if you are shooting outside your camera might need to be manually set to use the flash if you are not able to work around the placement of the sun.

These are just a few tips to help you, as a beginner, create great photographs. As you become more comfortable, you’ll be more apt at taking amazing images and then editing them in various programs to create the perfect photograph.