photo by cokada via iStock
The great thing about photography is that it’s a pursuit that’s open to virtually anyone. That’s especially true these days since so many people have smartphones with pretty good cameras.
But sometimes the hardest part of photography isn’t getting the gear, it’s the ability to afford it. After all, even smartphones are quite spendy…
Additionally, it can be difficult to know where to start the process of learning photography too. With technical considerations like camera settings and artistic considerations like composition, there’s a lot to learn!
In this quick guide, I offer up three beginner photography tips from the pros that will help you kickstart your photography.
Beginner Photography Tip: Always Be at the Ready
photo by MarioGuti via iStock
The first step in becoming a more accomplished photographer is to take a lot of photos.
Practice is essential if you’re going to start figuring out how to frame up a pleasing shot, let alone learn to take control of your camera settings.
This doesn’t mean that you need to devote five hours a day to shooting photos, but at least have your camera with you so you’re ready to shoot should you eye a potential subject to photograph.
photo by MarioGuti via iStock
A good way to approach this is to challenge yourself to take a handful of photos at different times of day.
On the one hand, this will help you get the practice you need, but on the other hand, it will also help you see how light changes over the course of the day.
Light is obviously a crucial component to photography, so by getting your practice in morning, noon, and night, you will more quickly develop an understanding of when the best time of day is for photography.
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Beginner Photography Tip: Save Money on Gear
photo by ArisSu via iStock
As I noted earlier, photography isn’t exactly a cheap hobby or profession.
As such, it’s important to save money on gear when you can, that way you can stretch your budget and get more gear for your buck.
Though I will admit that the feeling of opening a brand-new camera or lens is intoxicating, it’s an even better feeling finding a great deal on a camera or lens and still having money in the bank!
Photo by Søren Astrup Jørgensen on Unsplash
I’ve bought a number of used lenses on Lensfinder over the last few months and I’ve found it to be an awesomely easy experience.
What’s great about sites like this is that it was built by photographers, for photographers. That means that the lenses that are listed are typically well cared for and the descriptions are full of detail. That’s important when you’re trying to find a new-to-you lens!
And since the entire transaction takes place on Lensfinder (apart from processing payments, which are done via PayPal), it’s a quick process as well.
Photo by Denisse Leon on Unsplash
With built-in anti-fraud filters, you can browse and shop for a new-to-you lens with confidence, too. You can even communicate with sellers right on the Lensfinder platform if you have questions before you buy.
You can even leave feedback to let other Lensfinder users know how your experience was with the seller.
It’s a much better way to find the lenses you need than something like Craigslist or eBay. I’ve used all three, so I should know!
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Beginner Photography Tip: It’s All About the Angles
photo by jovan_epn via iStock
Since composition is such an important component of creating an engaging photo, try to devote some of your time practicing photography to concentrate on how you’re composing your images.
Rather than standing up straight and taking every photo from eye level, you should move around, kneel down, stand on your tippy-toes, and find other ways to find a more unique perspective.
Most people take most of their photos from their eye level, and that gets really boring.
photo by kunchainub via iStock
By adjusting your angle of view, not only do you find ways to highlight the subject in an interesting way, but you also make your photos stand out from the crowd.
You don’t even have to go into it with a specific type of shot in mind. Just commit yourself to a little exploration from a composition standpoint, and see what works and what doesn’t.
Remember - photography is art, so there’s really no right or wrong answers! Have the confidence to explore and experiment, and before long, you’ll likely find that the quality and interest level of your photos drastically improves.