If you want to improve your photography skills, then knowing your camera in and out can help you to a great extent. Knowing what your camera is capable of, what features does it offer, what all functions it is equipped with etc. can add an extra edge to your photography. With that you can decide which all settings you can experiment with. Knowing your camera and its features is an extra & essential knowledge for honing your photography. Here are some of the basic camera tips that'll help you become a better photographer.

1. Shoot in RAW or JPEG?

If you shoot casually and do not intend to do any manipulation or retouching, then shooting in RAW is not the option for you. However, the professional photographers to post process their pictures, shooting in RAW is the best solution for them.

2. Experiment:

Until you experiment with your camera settings, you won't learn what setting affects what in the picture. So, experimenting is the key in improving photography skills. Experimenting can also include testing new lenses, testing the ISO, aperture, focal lengths & white balance to see which options gives the best result.

3. Invest in a good Tripod:

A tripod is one equipment on which many things depend. It is an asset to you. So, invest in a tripod which is sturdy, strong, still and worth the trust. Don't go for cheap options available in the market, they may malfunction in just one use. Whereas it expensive counterpart can give you many years of service, making it a sensible long-term investment.

4. Handhold or use Tripod?

One thing we can't deny here is the importance of both. Hand-holding a camera is equally important as mounting it on a tripod. When you are shooting in a long exposure and slow shutter speed, then tripod works best for you. However, for spontaneous shots, you need to hand hold your camera. It depends on situation to situation.

5. Other camera supports:

If you do not have a tripod, or do not want to invest in a tripod, you can use other things to support your camera to keep it steady. You can mount it on a small bean-bag or a rice bag to keep it still and steady. You can also rest you arm against the wall or a tree to keep still. If you can think of any other thing to keep your camera still, go ahead and use it.