14/09/2026

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Malaysian Paper

@thesundaily @t

Ű BY AMEEN HAZIZI

P HOTOGRAPHY can appear intimidating when beginners first encounter unfamiliar buttons, technical terms and shelves filled with expensive equipment. However, learning becomes far easier when it is approached one step at a time. A beginner does not need the latest camera or several lenses. The best place to start is with the equipment already available, whether it is a mirrorless camera, DSLR or smartphone. Study your gear Read the manual, explore the menus and identify the purpose of each button and dial. Learn how to change the shooting mode, focus point, exposure and image format before worrying about producing professional-looking photographs. Part-time gig photographer Aqif Azim said familiarity with the camera allows photographers to pay greater attention to the picture in front of them. “The more familiar you are with your camera, the less time you spend thinking about which button to press and the more time you can spend thinking about the photo itself,” he said. Avoid depending entirely on automatic mode. Aperture priority, shutter priority and manual mode reveal how different settings affect the final image. Practise changing them at home so that their functions become familiar before an important shoot. common formats and camera categories. Jpeg files are smaller, already processed by the camera and ready to share. RAW files contain more image information and offer greater flexibility when correcting exposure, colour and white balance, although they require editing and more storage space. Sensor size is another common source of confusion. APS-C cameras use smaller sensors and are often Understand the terminology Beginners should learn the differences between

Improving your photography skills helps you better preserve precious family moments.

Photography for beginners

Mastering your gear and camera settings will enable you take interesting shots of everyday settings. – PICS BY AMEEN HAZIZI/THESUN

o How to unleash your inner shutterbug

produces a great photograph.

Learn about lenses Different lenses change what the camera sees. Focal length is measured in millimetres: The lower the number, the wider the view, while a higher number gives a narrower, more zoomed-in view. For example, a 24mm lens can capture a broad landscape or cramped interior, while a 200mm lens makes distant subjects appear much closer. Standard focal lengths between these ranges offer a more natural-looking perspective. Telephoto lenses are particularly useful for wildlife, sports and performances. Prime lenses have one fixed focal length, while zoom lenses cover several. Aperture also matters. A wider aperture, represented by a smaller f-number such as f/1.8, lets in more light and can blur the background. A narrower aperture such as f/8 keeps more of the scene in focus. Filters should be treated as optional tools. A circular polariser can reduce reflections and deepen the appearance of skies, while a neutral density filter limits incoming light for slower shutter speeds in bright conditions. Avoid buying several filters before understanding when each one is useful. Master exposure A simple way to remember the exposure triangle is that ISO controls recorded brightness, aperture controls depth of field and shutter speed controls how motion appears. Raising ISO helps in darker settings but can introduce grain. A fast shutter speed freezes movement, while a slow one creates motion blur and may require a tripod. These

lighter and more affordable. Full frame cameras generally perform better in low light and can produce a shallower depth of field, but they are usually larger and more expensive. Neither format automatically

heights and angles. Aqif advised

settings affect one another, so changing one may require adjusting the others. “Knowing how to adjust your shutter speed, aperture and ISO can help you get the right exposure even when you’re shooting in darker environments,” said Aqif. Train your eye Strong photographs also depend on composition and light. Study the rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry, negative space and natural frames. Check the background for distractions and try photographing the same subject from different

beginners

not

to

become

trapped

by

composition rules. “Once you understand why they work, you can also break those rules intentionally,” he said. Above all, keep taking photographs. Experiment with portraits, food, streets, architecture, events and landscapes before choosing a speciality. “Don’t find a niche – let the niche find you. Shoot as much as you can, figure out what you enjoy and, just as importantly, figure out what you don’t enjoy,” said Aqif.

Live performances allow Aqif to work with movement, expression and changing stage lights. – PIC COURTESY OF AQIF AZIM