My Tips For Any Beginning/Aspiring Photographer

So I last posted about my own journey as a photographer. 

This post is Part Two: My tips for any aspiring photographer. 

These tips are listed in no particular order. Just my thoughts and things that I’ve learned along the way. These tips are meant for anyone just starting on their photography journey; those who are wondering where to even start.

 

• Practice, practice, practice.
• Learn your camera inside and out. You don't need super high-end equipment to create an amazing image. Just a digital SLR (DSLR) and a good lens or two. The eye and knowledge behind the camera are MUCH more important than the actual camera. That being said, a DSLR or film SLR is a necessity. If you want to become a photographer, you must have a camera that lets you swap lenses and use completely manual settings. DSLR’s are nice because you get immediate feedback; you don’t have to take notes and then wait for the film to be developed.
• Resist the temptation to constantly upgrade your equipment. A better camera won’t necessarily help you take better photos. Learning the intricacies of aperture, shutter speed and focal length will help you take better photos. Only upgrade once you have completely learned your current equipment and are feeling its limitations. Also, a good lens will more dramatically improve your images than a new camera (if you‘re trying to decide where to put your money). The glass you shoot through is always the most important element to achieving a high-quality image.
• And again, practice.
• Read the manual. Seriously. It really has some good info. Before jumping into other books or classes, learn everything that your camera manual has to teach you.
• Buy an inexpensive prime lens that stops down to at least f1.8 (like the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens). You can get one for under $100. A prime or fixed-focal length lens will be the quickest and best way to understand aperture. And a solid understanding of aperture is absolutely essential to taking good photos.
• Did I mention practice?
• Learn the intricacies of aperture, shutter speed, ISO and focal length. You can do this through reading your camera manual, online forums or a good photography book (or a combo of all three), and then practicing and applying what you read. Learning how each item affects the look of your photos will give you extreme technical control over the final outcome of a photo.
• Make it your goal to learn to shoot on M or Manual regularly with your camera. In the process, you will better learn how aperture and shutter speed interrelate.
• Don't use a flash or any other artificial light until you've completely mastered natural light and manual mode shooting. Then add artificial light back in. You don't want to be dependent on artificial light. You need to learn to “see” the light and then you will be better able to add artificial light to a scene.
• Uhmmmm . . . . . . . Practice!
• Study painters and photographers that you admire. Really assess what makes their photos amazing and wonderful, and then try to start seeing the world as they do.
• Get lower. It’s the biggest mistake most make. Especially when photographing children, you want your camera to be no higher than their waist. This usually means sitting, squatting or even lying on the ground.
• Learn the rule of thirds and practice framing your photos according to it. Also, a solid understanding of traditional painting composition is enormously helpful. This will help you understand how lines create tension or harmony, balancing positive with negative space.
  
• Make LOTS of mistakes. The more you shoot, the more likely you are to make mistakes. And you learn the most from your mistakes. The more mistakes you make, the more you will remember to NOT do that stupid mistake again.
• And above all, PRACTICE!! Photograph anyone and everyone who will let you. Experiment. Go crazy. You will learn from each little photosession, usually from your mistakes. 

And that's ok. That's the journey.

Comments

[reese]

I am a total newbie with a dslr (rebel xti) and I just ordered a Nifty-50 lens last night. I was headed that way, but then after reading your reccomendation, I went ahead and did it. :)

I can't wait for it to arrive tomorrow.

Thank you so much for sharing your insight. I think I may need to try your actions now!

Thanks again,

reese

[Sharon]

Interesting and valuable article, Nicole. Thank you.

[Julie]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is some awesome advice. Hope you don't mind but I am linking this to my blog, I just have to share!

[Julie]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have given some awesome advice. I hope you don't mind put I am linking this to my blog, I just have to share!

[PamN]

Oh, the perfect advice! You covered it all!

[Heather]

Nichole,
This is wonderful, inspiring, advice! Thanks so much for posting -- I'm one of those that hasn't read the manual yet. It's being added to the TOP of my to-do list. Thank you for thoughts.
Ht

[Laurel]

Great tips and ideas. Thank you so much for shaing!

[orb9220]

Posted this to my D40 Blog hope it is alright.
I try to find everything helpful for the novice in learning photography.

So I posted your blog link in my blog so when people come to my blog they can visit your blog and other blogs in world of blogness.

Thanks for taking the time to help us new to photography.

[Deidre]

wait, um, i'm confused, should i practice? ;o)

[Cassie]

Great advice!! Thanks for sharing the important stuff!!!!

[Ajit]

Hi
Good writeup....nice tips for bigginers!

[Ajit]

Hi
Good writeup....nice tips for bigginers!

[Katrina Vredevelt]

I totally agree with the whole wishing you were a painter so you could capture the scene the way you see it thing. I really feel that- that is one of my central motivations for learning about the art of photography! (and of course my beautiful kiddos) Here's to the less fortunate sketch and paint artists... and to all those who can use a DSLR and computer to create art from real life! Here's to more PRACTICE!

[Brandi]

Thank you so much for posting this! Great advice!

[Tanya]

Thank you for sharing... this is great advice Nichole!

[Erica]

WOW! Thanks for the advice!

[Bliss]

Thanks a lot for sharing this with us. As Jessica said, I could not live without your actions :-)
Taking advance of the occasion... could you please reccomend to us some books you fouind interesting about photographic technics?
Best, dear Nichole ;-)

[Jessica]

I couldn't have said it better. This is everything I've been working towards in my photography. Your work is inspiring and the actions...well I can't live without them :P Everyone comments on my pop of color and my textures!!! Thanks so much for all you do :)

[heidicapatos]

Hi Nichole, I've been eagerly waiting for your post. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. It helps to know where to start, and how to develop. Once again, amazing!!!!!! photos.

[Jean Smith]

Nichole...thank you SO much for sharing this. I especially love what you said about getting inspiration from painters...everyone is always looking to "copy" or mimic another photographer's style. I have recently come to look for inspiration in movies and paintings. Also...I agree on the reading the manual through and through. I know it sounds silly to do, but that is the book that helped me the most!

[Angie "TheThiers" on flickr]

Wow, thanks so much Nichole!! This is so helpful, as I've always admired your work (on flickr). A lot of this really makes sense!

[Ingrid]

Thank you so much for sharing this. Often time you're right..you don't know where to start..what's most important. This pretty much sums it up perfectly. Thanks again.

[Elizabeth]

Awesome advice..thanks for sharing