There’s nothing quite like the feeling of capturing a photo you’re proud of. In beginner photography, you might scroll back through your images and think, “Wow—I actually took that.” And while it’s easy to leave those great shots buried in a camera roll or hard drive, the next step in your creative journey is to print your work.
Printing your photos isn’t just for professionals. It’s a powerful way to see your progress and treat your best images like the art they are. Even with beginner photography skills, you can create shots that look stunning on your wall—especially when printed by a trusted company like Shiny Prints.
In this guide, I’ll walk through five beginner photography tips that will not only help you improve your images—but make them ready to print and display. If you’ve ever wondered how to go from “pretty good” to “print-worthy,” this is the place to start!
Table of Contents
- Beginner Photography Tips: Nail the Exposure
- Beginner Photography Tips: Compose With Intention
- Beginner Photography Tips: Focus on Sharpness
- Beginner Photography Tips: Edit for Print, Not Just the Screen
- Beginner Photography Tips: Celebrate With a High-Quality Print from Shiny Prints
- FAQ
Beginner Photography Tips: Nail the Exposure
When it comes to beginner photography, getting the exposure right is one of the most important steps. Exposure refers to how light or dark your image is. Too bright, and you lose detail in the highlights. Too dark, and you lose information in the shadows.
The exposure triangle—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—is the foundation. As a beginner, it’s best to start in aperture priority or shutter priority mode and work your way up to manual as you gain confidence. Learn to watch your histogram. It’s a helpful tool to make sure your highlights and shadows aren’t clipping.
One thing I learned early on is that slightly underexposing can often preserve detail, especially in bright skies. Later, you can recover shadows in editing without ruining the image. A well-exposed photo holds more detail, and detail is what brings your prints to life.
If you’re planning to print, proper exposure becomes even more important. What looks “fine” on your phone might print too dark or washed out if you didn’t capture enough dynamic range. Train your eye for balanced exposures early, and your images will thank you.
Beginner Photography Tips: Compose With Intention
Photo by oatawa via Shutterstock
Beginner photography often involves a lot of pointing and shooting. And that’s okay! But one of the best ways to level up is to slow down and think about your composition.
Composition is simply how you arrange things in your frame. One of the easiest and most effective tools is the rule of thirds. Imagine your image split into a 3×3 grid—place your subject where those lines intersect. This creates balance and interest. It’s a simple shift that makes a huge difference.
You can also experiment with leading lines, symmetry, negative space, and framing. I remember when I started looking through windows, doors, or foliage to frame my subject—it made my images feel more polished and intentional.
Print-worthy photos usually have a clear subject and clean composition. When a photo is well composed, it invites people to pause and look longer. That’s exactly what you want when your image is hanging on a wall.
Beginner Photography Tips: Focus on Sharpness
Photo by Evan Thompson via Shutterstock
Sharpness is something that makes or breaks a printed image—especially large prints. In beginner photography, it’s common to think an image is sharp because it looks okay on your phone screen. But once you zoom in or print it, you see the flaws.
The most common cause of soft images is motion blur or missed focus. To avoid this, use a fast shutter speed—especially if you’re handholding your camera. If you’re photographing something still, like a landscape or still life, a tripod can help immensely.
Make sure your camera is focusing on the right spot. Use single-point autofocus and place the focus point on your subject’s eye (for portraits) or the most important part of the scene. Don’t rely on “auto everything”—you’ll get sharper results when you take control.
Even a budget camera can produce incredibly sharp images when used well. And when it comes time to print, that sharpness makes a major difference in how clean, detailed, and professional your work looks.
Beginner Photography Tips: Edit for Print, Not Just the Screen
Here’s something I didn’t fully grasp until I printed my first photo: editing for screen is different than editing for print. Screens are backlit. Prints are not. That means your images can look darker or flatter when printed if you don’t prepare them properly.
In beginner photography, editing might just mean adding a filter or increasing contrast. But when you’re prepping for print, focus on white balance, exposure, contrast, clarity, and color accuracy. Avoid over-saturation—it looks artificial in print.
Export your images at 300 DPI (dots per inch) and at the actual size you want to print. Shoot and edit in sRGB or Adobe RGB, depending on the printer’s recommendation. Many high-end print labs—including Shiny Prints—provide color profiles and guidelines on how to get the best result.
It helps to zoom in and check for noise, halos, or soft edges. What seems small on a screen will become obvious in a large metal print. A clean, well-edited image brings out the best of what you captured—and gives it staying power.
Beginner Photography Tips: Celebrate With a High-Quality Print from Shiny Prints
There’s something powerful about holding your photo in your hands—or seeing it displayed in your home. Printing makes your progress feel real. It’s not just a digital file anymore. It’s art.
For years now, we’ve trusted Shiny Prints to bring my best images to life. They specialize in high-definition metal prints that are vibrant, modern, and built to last. We’ve ordered many prints from them, and I’ve been utterly impressed every single time. Their color accuracy, sharpness, and durability are unmatched.
In PhotographyTalk testing, Shiny Prints metal prints are at the top of their class. The detail, depth, and definition they bring to a photo are stunning. Whether it’s a golden hour landscape or a moody black-and-white street shot, Shiny Prints elevates it.
Metal prints are also practical. They’re ready to hang, easy to clean, and don’t require framing. They’re perfect for showcasing your progress as a photographer. One of my favorite habits is printing one image every few months—it helps me track how far I’ve come and reminds me why I started in the first place.
If you’ve recently captured a photo you love, don’t just keep it on your phone. Celebrate it. Print it. And let Shiny Prints help you do it right!
FAQ
Photo by PeopleImages.com – Yuri A via Shutterstock
What’s the best size to print as a beginner photographer?
Start with something manageable—like 8×12 or 11×14. It’s big enough to showcase detail without overwhelming your wall or budget.
Do I need a professional camera to get print-worthy photos?
No! Many smartphones and entry-level cameras can produce sharp, printable images—especially in good light and with proper editing.
What resolution should my image be for printing?
Aim for 300 DPI at the size you want to print. A file that’s 3600 x 2400 pixels, for example, prints beautifully at 12×8 inches.
How do I know if my photo is sharp enough to print?
Zoom in to 100% and check your focal point (like eyes or textures). If it’s crisp and detailed, it’s likely ready for print.
Why choose a metal print over canvas or paper?
Metal prints are sleek, modern, and incredibly vibrant. They also don’t need frames, resist fading, and are easy to clean. Shiny Prints offers some of the best in the industry.
How often should I print my work as a beginner?
Consider printing a favorite shot from each month or major project. It builds confidence, shows your growth, and helps you take your work seriously.
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