Since I’ve worked with several various camera brands and shot in many different locations, I feel qualified to provide some advice on how to get the most out of your new purchase in today’s article. Here are the ten most important things I wish someone had told me when I first started out in photography.
1. Consult the Instructions
It takes me a while to get used to a new camera, even though I have a lot of expertise with them. Even basic functions like switching the focus mode or ISO setting are sometimes buried deep in a secret menu. Even now, I still have trouble using a camera from a brand I’m not acquainted with. Because I don’t know how to utilize it correctly, I won’t get the most out of it.
Today’s cameras are sophisticated devices that can do various things. Different camera types have other methods for getting to and controlling these options. Please don’t feel like you need to memorize the whole contents of your camera’s instruction manual. However, it is the ideal resource for learning the fundamentals of your new camera.
Get a hold of the user guide and read up on the functions of the various buttons. That way, you won’t lose an opportunity because you forgot to switch attention modes in time.
2. Acquire Rudimentary Compositional Skills
You, the photographer, are more important than the camera itself.
Fortunately, learning how to take better pictures with your new camera isn’t difficult; even Matt managed to figure it out. (Matt confirms, “It’s real. Even though I am not photogenic, I was able to learn a few tips that helped improve my images.
You may quickly and easily improve your photography skills by learning the fundamental concepts of composition.
These guidelines are simple to understand. You need just apply a few basic rules to all of your shots to achieve success. A road heading into a scene, for instance, will draw the viewer’s eye there, and a splash of color can be utilized to draw attention to a specific part of the frame.
Regular practice with these guidelines will help you internalize them and eventually make them second nature, giving you the “eye” of a photographer and the ability to create an image with minimal conscious effort.
Check out this page for a comprehensive discussion of some of these guidelines, including the “rule of thirds,” “leading lines,” “color theory,” and “the use of color.”
3. Acquaint yourself with the Exposure Triangle
Capturing light with a camera is a fundamental skill, but understanding how a camera works may be difficult. A lot of people lose up and only ever use the auto setting on their camera, never getting the most out of it.
This is complicated by the fact that camera companies are including more and more features in their devices to differentiate them from the competition, leaving you unsure of which settings are actually necessary.
Here’s a hint: the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture settings are the most critical parameters because they impact what photographers call “the exposure triangle,” or the relationship between the amount of light entering the camera and the amount of light that is recorded.
If you can get a handle on those, the world of photography is your oyster. Each has a unique effect on the final look of a photo when adjusted, although they all affect the level of darkness or brightness in the frame. Start playing about with your camera’s exposure settings (ISO, shutter speed, and aperture), and don’t be scared to make mistakes because digital “film” is free.
4. Master the Science of Light
A camera is, at heart, nothing more than a light-gathering instrument. Since their inception in the 1800s, little has altered in this regard.
Therefore, light is essential to the photographic process. The light around sunset and sunrise lend our photographs a warmer, softer look, whereas the light of noon is less appealing, with strong contrast and flatter hues. If at all possible, take more pictures before and after sunset and fewer throughout the middle of the day.
The direction of the light source should also be considered. In direct sunlight, your subject will appear as a black shadow in your photograph. Instead, you should turn your back to the sun when taking photos so that it shines directly on your subject.
5. Put Yourself to the Test
I’m fortunate as a travel photographer to get to explore the world in search of interesting subjects to capture. But I’m not ashamed to say that when I’m in between visits, I sometimes have trouble coming up with new ideas. Even if you do not routinely travel, you may find it difficult to motivate yourself to get out and shoot photographs.
But photography is a talent, and like any other skill, the only way to get better at it is to actually do it. You may spend all day reading articles like these, but the only way to truly learn photography is to put what you’ve read into practice.
You may motivate yourself to get out and do things by assigning yourself tasks to do. Perhaps it’s as easy as taking a picture of something different every day. Perhaps you decide on a weekly topic and stick to it. You should give yourself as many chances as you can to learn, whatever it is (and there are lots of sites online to discover picture challenges, too!).
That way, you may be well-prepared for the next time you embark on an experience or journey worthy of being documented.
6. Become used to always have it on you
In the same vein as the last piece of advice, the more you practice, the better you’ll get. We should always use whatever camera is most convenient. If you’ve recently bought a camera, make it a habit to bring it along on your travels so you can practice using it. You’ll be less likely to put off using it (remember, practice makes perfect) if you constantly have it on hand.
Don’t forget your camera when you leave it with your keys, jacket, or shoes. Keep it with whatever you normally carry with you when you leave the house. Simply carrying it around with you will result in more frequent use. Taking one picture per day is an improvement over taking none at all.
7. Invest in a Budget Prime Lens
Investing in a prime lens is well worth it if you have a camera that supports interchangeable lenses, such as most mirrorless or DSLR cameras. A prime lens is a type of lens that has a fixed focal length and cannot be adjusted for magnification.
You’ll need to get about a little more and give some serious consideration to the composition of your shots before snapping them. Both the large amount of light they let in (making them useful even in low light) and the small depth of focus (making your subject stand out against a blurred backdrop) are benefits of prime lenses.
The nicest part about prime lenses is that the entry-level variants are quite affordable, typically costing less than $100 USD. My personal favorite Canon lens is the 50mm f/1.8, or “nifty fifty,” which I think every Canon photographer should have. You can get identical lenses from other manufacturers for the same price.
8. Switch to RAW image capture.
One of my objectives while leading photography workshops is to encourage students to begin using RAW format rather than JPG.
Don’t freak out if you don’t understand these symbols. They are just several types of file formats that your camera might use to store the images it takes.
A JPG file is more of a finished product, having been edited by the camera and reduced in size for your convenience, whereas a RAW file retains everything your camera has taken.
While it’s true that JPGs are more user-friendly (you can upload them straight to social media), this convenience comes at the expense of editing flexibility.
Comparing a RAW file to a JPG is like comparing a roll of film to a print. The RAW file allows you to customize the development process and, in turn, the aesthetic of your finished image. The extra effort required on your part will be well worth it.
9. Begin Organizing and Editing Your Images
The value of post-capture editing is something I quickly realized as a photographer. The difference between a good shot and a terrific photo can be as small as altering the sharpness and contrast.
Don’t let the prospect of spending a lot of time editing your images deter you. Even a complex program like Adobe Lightroom can be learned quickly, and even a mobile phone with an editor like Snapseed can make your photos stand out.
I’m really excited by all the new avenues of expression that picture editing has given me. Another thing I’ve learned about photography is the value of curation, which I’d want to share with you. You must learn to be your own worst critic. A common question I get is how come I never take a terrible photo. Of course, I take terrible shots; that’s the truth. I simply try to keep things to myself.
It’s crucial that we take the time to carefully select the images we publish online; otherwise, people could assume that you never shoot anything except amazing pictures.
10. Persevere
People’s achievements are rarely the result of inherent superiority over others. Why? Because they refuse to give up no matter how many times they encounter roadblocks, irritation, or doubt.
The same applies to photography. All of the world’s top photographers were complete amateurs at one point. Their success thus far may be attributed to their ambition and perseverance.
I bought my first camera when I was 13 years old and have been taking pictures ever since. Please keep trying! If you really care about photography, it will pay off.
Photography is a marathon, not a sprint, and a new camera won’t magically make you a better photographer. The time and energy you put in will be well worth it in the end.
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