Ten Tips for Great Photography

I have been taking pictures with my Pentax K1000 35mm film camera for a couple months now. I have done extensive online research, read several books on the subject, and through my own experience I have come up with a list of ten tips I think could help anyone interested in photography.

1. On long journeys, prepare for anything. I like to carry a couple of lenses, filters, several rolls of film (different speeds and B&W), and a tripod at all times. Sometimes I carry even more than that.
2. Load film carefully and make sure it advances before closing door. Nothing is worse than spending a day snapping off 36 photos only to discover you never properly loaded the film. Load it carefully, make sure the small teeth are engaged in the holes on the edge of the film, and then gently close the door.
3. Keep lenses clean. I keep caps on both ends of lenses not in use at all times, and when I attach a lens to the camera body I keep a lens cap on when not in use. Usually when looking through the viewfinder, you will not see a finger print, smudge, or spot of dirt. In fact, you usually won't see any of those until you have the film developed, see a breath-taking image, and try to get an 8"x10" enlargement. Then you see all the ugly details you missed before.
4. Squeeze the shutter button, don't press. The difference is how much you shake the camera. Especially if you are using a longer lens, something above 100mm, you want to keep the framing as steady as possible. Compose your shot, adjust focus and aperture, then gently squeeze the button.
5. Be careful with built-in light meters. Light meters inside cameras are Spot Meters, meaning the camera measures light bouncing from a certain spot within the frame. This spot is usually the very center, and only measures about 1/20 of the entire frame. If you are taking a picture that has a very dark and very bright light source within the same frame, the meter will only measure what is at the very center. Tip: frame your composition, then going from that framing point the center of the camera toward the brightest spot and use that measurement.
6. Read, read, read. Find websites that give out tips with photographic examples. Hit up your local library (yes, they still exist). Buy a few inexpensive books from Barnes & Noble. The point is, read up on what others have done before you. There is no point in spending a lot of time and money on film to learn what others have already learned. Pick a particular subject, such as Night Photography, and then read everything you can find on the subject. You will be better prepared.
7. Use the right film for the right situation. I only buy 36 exposure film (hence the name of the blog) because it is more cost-efficient. Think about it: the cost of developing and a picture CD is the same regardless of exposures. Film speed is another consideration: the lower the number (100) the more light is necessary, making it a slower film. 100ASA is good for bright sun, 800ASA is good for low light and action shots.
8. Take your time. I will spend anywhere from an hour to three hours to snap off a 36 exposure roll of film. Photography is a patient hobby, so if you don't like to take an hour out of your day to snap off a roll, then don't waste the time at all.
9. Take notes. At the start, taking notes on film speed, aperture, exposure, focal length, filters, and details on lighting. Then, once you have the film developed you can compare notes to see which pictures turned out best and then duplicate the results.
10. Be a director. While it is nice to capture a slice of life in the spur of the moment, such as a child laughing to a silly joke, it is equally nice to compose a picture. Instead of letting a few people simply stand in a line for a picture, get them to move around, duck, kneel, stand, smile, whatever works well for your location. Direct the action.