Photography 101: A Crash Course for the Self-Taught Shutterbug

Let's start with the basics:

• Rule of Thirds: Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid overlaid on your image. Place your subject at one of the intersections for a more interesting composition. Trust me, it's like magic!

• Exposure Triangle: This is the holy trinity of photography: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Think of it like a game of tug-of-war. Adjust one, and the others will have to compensate.

• Depth of Field: This is how much of your image is in focus. A wide aperture (low f-number) will give you a shallow depth of field, blurring the background. A narrow aperture (high f-number) will keep everything in focus.

Now, let's talk about composition:

• Leading Lines: Use lines in your image to guide the viewer's eye towards the subject. Think of a winding road leading to a beautiful sunset.

• Symmetry: Sometimes, a symmetrical composition can be incredibly striking. Think of a reflection in a still pond.

• Negative Space: This is the empty space around your subject. It can help to emphasize the main focus of your image.

And finally, let's talk about post-processing:

• Editing Software: There are tons of options out there, from free ones like GIMP to professional ones like Adobe Photoshop.

• Basic Adjustments: Don't be afraid to adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and white balance.

• Filters: Use filters sparingly, but they can add a fun and creative touch to your images.

Remember, photography is all about experimentation. So go out there, snap some photos, and have fun! And if you ever get stuck, just remember: there's always Google.