Grab Your Camera
We will discuss your camera, some of the settings, and camera techniques. Cameras today come in all sizes, configurations (your phone), levels of sophistication, and price. We will not detail each configuration as new cameras appear on the market almost monthly. We will see that price isn't always as much an indicator of quality as may be expected. Auto-everything super-cameras may even be less useful than their manual counterparts. Fine photographs can be produced with modest equipment when used properly.
Choosing a camera.
First, try working with the equipment you have at hand. We will assume you have a 35mm (or larger) film camera made in your lifetime or a digital camera. Film cameras using formats smaller than 35mm will be problematic. Digital cameras with 1-6 megapixels will work depending on final intended use. These cameras will have multi-coated lenses and exposure meters.
If you don't have a usable camera at hand its time to review your needs. If you are going to hire a professional photographer to do your brochure covers and other high resolution work, you can get by with very modest equipment or even disposables for your web and projection needs.
RTFM.
Read The Fine Manual. Paraphrased somewhat from the dictum of software, reading and understanding your camera's basic controls is essential for good photographs. Spend some time and actually hold the camera while going through the manual. For additional information, visit the manufacturer's web site. They will often have a shooting tips section or tutorials based on your camera. Also, search the web with you specific camera make and model. There will be numerous web sites and discussion forums for every camera.
Become Flash Literate.
Although many of your images will be taken in full sun, much of the real documentation work is pictures of the process. These can often be in semi-enclosed areas which are always shaded. These are usually wear areas where the paint and finish is dark or absent (augers). Additionally, when dealing with asphalt work, the subject itself is black. Added together, flash is the only way to balance the sunlit equipment with the dark, shaded principle subject. Consult your camera manual for using flash. Many cameras have built in flash just for this purpose.
Practice.
Take your new found knowledge out for a test drive. Over a weekend, use the camera to make photographs of your family, car, home. Inside and outside shots. Tell your spouse you need to photograph a process and have them mow the lawn or clean the gutters for you. (you can try). Document the steps in making a sandwich. These sound like simple tasks but will force you to think about your photography.
Eliminate Camera Shake.
Practice locking your elbows to your sides when taking photographs. Take a deep breath and hold it when firing the shutter. Roll your finger to fire the shutter, don't poke. These three work habits will increase you picture taking signal-to-noise ratio considerably.
Edit.
Have your film processed at your favorite one-hour lab, or download your digital images for viewing on your computer monitor (the small monitor on the camera isn't adequate). Do the finished images correspond to what you saw in the viewfinder? Make a mental note of anything that can be improved.
Repeat.
Use your camera's exposure controls. Use the different modes available. Take notes on each shot so that you can identify the settings used to make them. Making photographs becomes easier the more you do it. Your images will become predictable. When you no longer have to wait for processing to know that you have the proper image, you're ready.