No matter if you like to photograph landscapes or people, cities or flowers, or something in between, creating beautiful photos of your subject can be a difficult task.
But there are choices you can make that will simplify the process, and in doing so, you might just be able to create better photos.
In this quick guideline, I offer a few beginner photography tips that will help you pare things down and concentrate on a few practical areas of photography for improved results.
Let's get started!
You Don't Need Everything But the Kitchen Sink
Not every beginner photographer has multiple cameras, lenses, and a bag full of other photography gear.
But if you're one such beginner, you don't need to take all your gear with you every time you shoot.
By trimming down your kit for each photo shoot, you accomplish a couple of things.
First, you have less gear to carry. That all but ensures that you'll be more comfortable as you're out shooting because you won't have as much stuff to lug around.
What's more, having less gear means that you'll be more mobile, and that could make the difference between getting the shots you want and missing out.
Second, having less gear forces you to really zero in on how to use the gear that you have.
Even if you just have your smartphone, finding ways to utilize all its capabilities to get the best photos is a great way to learn and grow as a photographer.
Learn More:
Upgrade Your Camera Strap
Speaking of gear, one of the best things you can do to upgrade your camera-carrying experience is to get a new strap.
I think we can all agree that the straps that come with cameras leave a lot to be desired in the functionality and comfort department...
That's why an upgraded strap is so important. Not only will being more comfortable allow you to shoot longer, but many aftermarket camera straps also improve your ability to access your camera quickly.
Take the Holdfast MoneyMaker Solo as a perfect example of this.
I have one of these bad boys, and I can tell you first-hand that it's incredibly comfortable.
That's thanks to the big, contoured shoulder pad that helps distribute the weight of my camera and lens over a big surface area and helps keep my shoulder from fatiguing.
Also in the comfort department is the stabilizer strap, which helps keep the shoulder pad in place and prevent slippage.
I've found that even after hours and hours out shooting that this combination of the shoulder pad and the stabilizer strap keeps me feeling good enough to keep on taking photos!
From a functional standpoint, I like how the MoneyMaker Solo keeps my gear right at my fingertips, yet keeps it out of my way.
My camera and attached lens hang right at my hip, that way it's accessible when I need it but when I don't, it's safe and sound right by my side.
Even when you stoop down or bend over, the MoneyMaker Solo keeps your camera right where you want it thanks to the ingenious Holdfast Belt Anchor.
Simply clip the anchor to your belt, and your camera won't go anywhere. But when you need to take a shot, you can release the anchor with one hand, bring your camera to your eye, and reattach the belt anchor all with one hand. Not bad, right?
I know that investing in a better camera strap might not sound like a big deal, but if you've never spent hour after hour out shooting, you don't know how much of a difference an upgraded camera strap can make!
Learn More:
Always Have Your Camera With You
One of the most basic photography tips for beginners is to always have your camera with you. This is really easy given that most of us have smartphones with us at all times.
It's important to have a camera with you wherever you go because it gives you an opportunity to practice your craft. And as we all know, practice makes perfect!
This doesn't mean that you have to take 1,000 photos each day. Far from it.
In fact, if you challenge yourself to take 20 or 25 photos a day, you'll be doing well!
But don't just take photos for the sake of taking photos...
Instead, be purposeful in the images you shoot. Think about why a scene grabbed your eye, and concentrate on making compositional decisions that will help you feature that eye-catching detail in your photo.
Also take your time. Sure, we're all busy, but taking 10 extra seconds to ensure you've framed up the shot as best you can will help you get better results each and every time.
Learn More:
- Embarrassing Mistakes New Photographers Make (and How to Fix Them)
- The Best Camera Bags for Virtually Every Kind of Photographer
Take Time to Learn How to Process Your Photos
Here's a newsflash - the photo you see above is not how it looked right out of the camera! And neither are all the breathtaking photos you see on Flickr and Instagram.
Learning how to use programs like Photoshop and Lightroom to enhance your photos is a must because it allows you to bring out all the beautiful details in your photo and take the shot to another level.
Back in the day, many people felt that processing images was cheating. I disagreed then and I disagree now.
Processing your images is just another step in the journey of creating a beautiful image. As such, it's important that you not rely on things like Instagram filters to enhance your photos.
Instead, take the time to learn a few basic photography tricks in Photoshop, Lightroom, or another processing program, and you'll find that the photos you create have much more visual appeal!