Welcome to my first news article!

I thought I should get around to writing something for the news section, but never really had an idea for what to write about. Well I’ve finally decided to stick with a winning formula and offer some personal advice for taking better photos.

Questions are always flying around when it comes to photography and how one can improve their techniques, what kit to use etc and there’s never an easy answer as everybody has their own style. What’s more there’s no easy way to please everybody. You will always have one piece that some people love, and some people have no interest in.

Keeping this in mind, here are a few tips I can offer to the upcoming photographers here on deviant art. Please bare in mind that these are just my findings since I started photography just under two years ago and that not everyone will agree with me. On another note, I’m also not much of a writer when it comes to putting my thoughts down so apologies if this article is just a ramble.

1. Dedication.
In order to obtain better photos, you need to be dedicated. You need to be out and about as much as possible and at the right times. For landscape photographers, this means you need to be out there in place a good hour before sunrise and sunset, and not leave until the sun is either high in the sky, or there is no more ambient light.

Sunrise (to me at least) is the best time for shooting. The landscape is cool and the purple and red pink tones the sky can take are unmatched, even at sunset.

I have a reputation at work for being crazy merely because I get up at 4am to go out shooting 100 miles away, and then get back to work to be at my desk for 9am. My answer to them? At least I got some great shots. Even if I haven’t its still exercise.

2. Filters
Ah, a controversial subject this one, and one that there is no definitive answer to.

Many photographers swear by filters. I however do not. The only filters I ever use are Graduated Neutral Density Filters and the occasional 81b warm up filter. I do no use colour grads, and I very rarely use polarizer’s.

There are two questions I usually face here, why do you use neutral density grads, and why don't you use other filters?

For the first question, I use neutral density grads because I feel they are the best way to balance an exposure when it comes to outdoors photography. I don't like spending too much time on my shots at the computer because to me, they take away from the nature of photography. I don't like the idea of merging shots to correct an exposure.

For the second question, why don't I use other filters. The main answer here is quality. The more plastic or glass you stick in front of a lens, the less quality you have at the end result. Polarizer’s really fall into this category because although they do have their uses, to me colour enhancement should not one of them. They sure boost saturation levels but at the expense of detail and range. Saturation levels can be boosted later on at the post production phase.

Don't get me wrong though, I do use polarizer’s when I see a need for them, and that is for reducing reflections on surfaces which is their primary function.

3. Photography Kit
A common misconception I find with people I talk to when I am out and about is that just because someone has more expensive kit that it automatically means they take better photos. This is not true as many photographers will tell you.

I have seen countless stories from professional photographers who have admitted their shots taken on a Nikon D2X couple with the most expensive lens, have been out-done by a 5 year old with a 3mp compact camera.

The reason I bring this subject up is because I have fallen victim to envy and intimidation in the past when I have been out shooting. I've seen people carrying 600mm f/2.8 lenses around for wildlife photography, and then felt so inferior that I haven’t managed to find the motivation to carry on with the shoot. I'm sure I’m not alone here.

The bottom line is that any camera and lens combinations should be more than adequate to capture stunning shots. There are obviously exceptions here when it comes to lens quality and what you are trying to achieve, but the principle is the same.

4. Brave the Elements
It’s over cast and looks like rain. So what? Get out there and take advantage of the light and the sky, especially if it’s cloudy. Moody skies can really make a different to what would usually be a very dull composition.

5. Look for Inspiration
One of the most important things I find is by looking for inspiration in other peoples shots. Right here on deviant art I find literally hundreds of inspirational shots every day. This keeps my mind open to new ideas and trying things I would never have thought of.

Well that’s my first 5 bits of advice for taking better photos. I hope some people will find them useful and interesting.

Happy shooting and I look forward to seeing all of your work!