Photography Tips For Beginners
By: Photos Of Us
Tags: Photography, Photos, Photographer, Photography Tips, Wedding Photographer

Photography Tips For Beginners

So, you’ve finally decided to do it. You’ve either shelled out the money for a fancy new camera, or you’ve simply picked up your iPhone and thought, “Today is the day I’m going to start my photography journey.” Well congrats! Taking that first step to become a photographer takes a lot of motivation. We know that right now you are probably feeling a little lost and confused about where to start, but don’t worry, we’re here to help! Here are our top 7 photography tips for beginners:

Get to know your camera.

Whether you’re experimenting with portrait mode on your phone or playing around with the shutter speed on your Canon, it is important that you learn how these features affect the final shot. This means you need to set aside lots of time to practice. First, start out by experimenting with one feature at a time, then as you learn how to utilize the various features your camera has to offer, start testing out various combinations. Try incorporating a 100mm zoom with a 1/100 of a second shutter speed, or try taking photos at different times of the day while playing around with your camera settings. Remember, there are no wrong answers when it comes to photography, whether or not you’re pleased with your shots is what matters the most.

Take your camera everywhere.

Don’t ever miss the perfect photo-op. We suggest taking your camera everywhere you go, so you are always ready to get the perfect shot. If your camera is cumbersome, try using a camera strap! Although they make look and feel weird at first, you’ll be glad you invested in one. Camera straps allow you to quickly grab your camera, rather than awkwardly fumbling through your bag, so you’ll never miss the perfect photo opportunity. Not sure where to get one? Check out this camera strap from Amazon.

Shoot everyday.

Think about photography the same way you think about brushing your teeth. In order to maintain proper oral hygiene you must brush your teeth everyday, multiple times a day. The same goes for photography. If you want to improve your photography skills, you must practice consistently. Maybe you’re going for a walk and you notice a unique wall covered in graffiti; snap a pic of it! Try to look for cool visuals that strike your fancy each day, and photograph them so you can improve through repetition.

Here’s another pro tip: print out a few photos each month, so you can look back and evaluate your progress. Doing this will help you physically see how you have improved as a photographer, and will keep you motivated.

Experiment with manual modes.

Don’t let your camera do all the work for you. Instead, move to manual mode and take control. This is one of the biggest steps you will take as a photographer. Switching the power from the camera to the photographer will feel daunting at first, but with practice you’ll be glad you took the leap. Your eye is better than the camera’s (we promise), so overtime you will learn how to manually adjust your camera settings to take the perfect photo!

Save some money.

Photography is an expensive hobby, so we recommend saving money whenever you can. If you’re looking to buy a new high-quality camera, try purchasing a used one instead. Doing this may save you hundreds of dollars, and you will still have access to a professional grade camera. A few places to find excellent used cameras include: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and LetGo.

Along with this, try acquiring your additional equipment slowly and carefully. Avoid buying into a particular system of equipment to reduce the risk of future switching costs and compatibility issues. Also, remember there is no particular piece of equipment that will make your photography perfect. Improving your photography is all about practice, patience, and research.

Ask for help.

If you’re just starting out, you will not know everything there is to know about photography. Even if you conduct countless hours of research and practice everyday, there is always room to grow. This is when asking for advice comes into play. Similarly to when you want someone to proofread an essay before submitting it, you want someone else to take a look at your shots and provide feedback on how you can improve your work. The best people to seek out are other photographers, because they have been through the same learning process as you. Consider joining photography groups on Facebook like this one, and ask other members to provide constructive criticism on your photos. Members are always happy to provide detailed advice and praise, and don’t forget to do the same for them!

Share your work.

Remember that shot you took yesterday…WOW, now that was a great snap! Sometimes, however, sharing a photo you are proud of can feel a little nerve racking. As you consider posting it on Instagram or Photos of Us, you may start to over-analyze your work. You think, “Maybe I should’ve used a different lense,” or “The lighting might be a little too bright in this shot.” The best advice we can give you is to go for it and own the shots you love. Not everyone is going to be your biggest fan, but that’s okay! Being proud of your own work is what is the most important to your individual success.

We hope that you find these tips to be useful! Let us know if you put any of them into practice, or tweet any additional tips you have to @Photos_Of_Us! Happy snapping!