Embarking upon a voyage into the world of photography can be daunting, to say the least. As a complete novice, it’s difficult to know quite where to begin. The journey from beginner to becoming a skilled photographer can, however, be made far simpler by following some of the rules that we’ve outlined below.
Choose the right equipment
As a new photographer, it can be tempting to assume that simply purchasing the most expensive equipment on the market will guarantee that you will take great pictures. Nothing could be further from the truth. Photography is all about experience and gaining a real insight into aspects of the art, such as lighting, shutter speed and exposure time, to name but a few.
It’s important to first develop your understanding of how to take a good photo and this can be done with a cheap point-and-shoot camera. Many professional photographers still take great shots with a point-and-shoot camera, or even an iPhone, as they are able to carry them at all times and because they understand the core principles of photography.
Find your inner photographer
When it comes to developing your skills as a photographer, there is no substitute for simply taking photos. As a new photographer, ensure that you get into the habit of carrying your camera with you at all times, as the best photographic opportunities often present themselves at the most unexpected moments. Take this next photo for example taken by an amateur photographer who managed to capture a rare twin rainbow…
As you begin taking more pictures, you will begin to get more of a feel for what images you like to capture. Variety is the key at first, but, as your skills develop, you will inevitably begin to narrow down your fields of interest.
Follow your curiosity
It may at first be hard to fathom where your inspiration for taking pictures comes from. A little bit of patience, however, goes a long way. It’s important to follow your curiosity and start looking for inspiration in all walks of life. By reading online articles about photography on websites such as digital photography school and looking at the images of others, you will begin to see the world through a new lens. This unique view of the world is the one that you should look to capture in your photos. Nobody can dictate to you where this inspiration comes from; it will simply emerge as a result of following your instincts.
Get to know your camera
While taking a good volume of pictures is important, getting to know your camera is equally vital if you are to successfully make the transition from enthusiastic beginner to skilled photographer. Play with all the different settings on your camera. Even if the images come out terribly, it’s all part of the learning process. Understanding how your camera functions will help to ensure that you produce the highest quality images in the long term.
Adding the finishing touches
An oft-overlooked aspect of photography is the way in which the finished pictures are displayed. Investing in some high quality photo editing software is absolutely essential such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Lightroom which we love. As some pictures will unquestionably be taken quickly, a quick touch up here and there ensures that the images look their best when they are presented in a selection of high quality photo frames.
