THE 10 BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FOR BEGINNERS!


If you're like me, you hate those posts where you have to scroll to find the best photography tips for beginners, so let me get to it! Time is valuable!



PHOTOGRAPHY TIP #1


Find a camera! More accurately, a good camera that's affordable! When you're learning you need a camera to learn on, so the odds are, you are not going to keep this camera forever. Check for shutter count- most cameras last up to 200,000 shutter clicks- so make sure you are looking at that. Make sure the camera is in great condition. You do not want a camera that isn't going to last either. You're going to be practicing a lot! My recommendation for affordable is a gently used crop sensor camera. They call it crop sensor because the imaging sensor is smaller than a full frame camera so there is a little difference in picture quality and that is what makes them so affordable! When you are starting out, you will not notice this tiny difference in quality until you get really good at shooting in your camera so don't focus on the whole "full frame or crop sensor" camera comparison right now. You will upgrade to a full frame when you are ready. By that time, you will notice the difference in quality AND you will know exactly what you want in a camera (features) because you have spent a lot of time practicing! Make sense? I should also say it is also the same with camera lenses. You can get a gently used lens from a trusted online provider. Make sure they are in great condition also. Let's move on.


PHOTOGRAPHY TIP #2


Don't compare yourself to others! You are learning beginner photography! Imposter syndrome happens for us all, just make sure you don't spend too much time thinking and not "doing". Get out there and shoot what you want to shoot and learn to get good in-camera so you can take photos that you want to take and not what everyone else is doing to be "trendy".


PHOTOGRAPHY TIP #3


Don't learn photography alone! I can't tell you how many late hours I spent researching "beginner photography" online. It consumed my life for a time because I couldn't find a good learning resource back in 2012 before there were amazing resources online. Also, when choosing a learning resource, make sure you are choosing one that will help you do the things you want to do from someone who has been where you are. People will say anything to make a buck these days and some screening is a great idea!


PHOTOGRAPHY TIP #4


Learn what the exposure triangle is and how to shoot in manual mode. These are key things to learning to control your camera settings and to take awesome photos! My Ultimate Guide to Beginner Photography goes into great detail about this! You can find it by clicking on the "for photographers" page!


PHOTOGRAPHY TIP #5


Learn Lighting! Lighting is such an integral step of getting those amazing photos you've always wanted in photography. Learn what looks best when shooting and what doesn't. Find out what you like best as far as lighting your photos! You don't have to have fake light! You can learn in outdoor light, indoor light, window light, sunset, sunrise, and much more different lighting scenarios. Make a goal to stick to the light you like getting most. That's where you will find that your style will begin. It's personal preference! You are an artist and I bet anything you are a visual learner too!


PHOTOGRAPHY TIP #6


Get your camera out everywhere you go. Someone once said to me that "a good photographer takes their camera everywhere" and it has proven to be true. It may seem heavy and unnatural for a bit, but you get used to it and some moments pop up where people will ask you for photos OR you can use opportunity to ask them if they will be your photography subject. A lot can happen just by bringing your dslr camera with you.


PHOTOGRAPHY TIP #7


When using an editing software- ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS use Lightroom and photoshop. They are the best out there. Don't waste your time by learning other editing apps that are free when you can go ahead and be learning how to edit in Lightroom and photoshop. I promise you will see what I mean. Lightroom is easiest in my opinion. I only use photoshop for when I mess up in camera, which is rare because I have been a beginner photographer before, and I understand that messing up in camera can cost hours in editing later. Get it right so you don't have to worry about it. You are a beginner photographer! You will get it right I know it!


PHOTOGRAPHY TIP #8


Practice every single day! This is essential to learning photography! You can practice for 10 minutes or hours, it is up to you. If you're trying to figure out something specific, keep going until you get it right. Once it clicks, it sticks. Haha- no pun intended there.


PHOTOGRAPHY TIP #9


Don't be afraid to walk up to someone and ask them to be your photography subject. There will be people that say no and people that will say yes! People value photography or so many people wouldn't own phones with cameras. Right? Be a go-getter! Show them what you can do! They may book a photography session with you later!


PHOTOGRAPHY TIP #10


My last tip is to shoot what you want to shoot, not what you think you should. If you love to shoot photos of children then do it. If you hate portrait photography, don't do it! Don't let others that know nothing of photography influence your mind in what you were meant for. You feel me?




Now, get out there and learn beginner photography like you're going to be the best photographer there ever was! If you're interested to learn more photography tips from me, I suggest going to the "for photographers" page where you can start with the FREE MINI PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE or check out THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BEGINNER PHOTOGRAPHY where I will teach you how to shoot in manual mode, what camera and camera lens you need, how to take better photos, and how to use professional photography techniques like lighting, location, background, composition, and so much dang more good stuff! Good luck and thanks for the read photographer!