Digital photography, like any interest, hobby or profession, requires regular “practice” with your camera. Simply put, the more time (quality time) you spend with your camera, the better you will understand how to use it to your advantage and the better your skills will become. One of the methods to accomplish these goals is to shoot every day, even if only for a few minutes. The challenge for many photographers is to find some time each day. The tips in the PhotographyTalk.com articles listed below will help you with your photography “time management,” while this article will reveal just exactly what you might learn if you shoot every day.

Photography Tip—More About How To Create More Time (or Any Time) To Be with Your Camera

Just Do It.

This simple phase, made quite famous by a popular athletic footwear company, applies equally to anyone who wants to be a better photographer. There are no well-hidden secrets to make the effort to shoot every day easier. You may not feel inspired, as you sit on the couch trying to decide what and where you will shoot today, which is all the more reason you must just leave with your camera and let what you find inspire you. For many photographers, the hardest barrier to overcome is simple procrastination, which is why you must plan your days carefully, so you can find the time to shoot, and then be committed to your goal. It’s likely that once you start this routine of daily photography, it will become easier, which translates into finding and capturing great images.

Your Camera as Companion.

The time you have available to shoot every day, or some days, may not be conveniently scheduled after work or dinner, or every Saturday morning. That’s why your camera must virtually be your constant companion. The opportunity to shoot today or tomorrow may only be a scene or subject you discover on the way to work or during your lunch hour. If you hadn’t left your camera at home, then you could have fulfilled the day’s shooting requirement within a few minutes and had your evening free.

People: The Ubiquitous Subject Matter

At last count, there were more than six billion people on the planet, so it should be rather simple to shoot a few frames of one or more of them every day. Learning how to approach people and asking permission to photograph them is a difficult process for many photographers. The first step to overcome this reluctance is to understand that virtually everyone likes having his or her picture taken. Most like it even better if you’ve asked permission and they know you’ll be doing it. When you do receive permission, ask him or her to return to the task or activity that previously held his or her attention, as this will often make a better image than the person posing for you, or looking at the camera. Another technique to strengthen your interaction with the person and allay any fears he or she might have is to give him or her a business card with your email address, so the person can contact you and you reply with a free high-resolution photo.

Travel Light.

One of the major mistakes of amateur or budding serious photographers is that they typically carry too much photo equipment with them on their shoots, daily or otherwise. Hauling a heavy camera bag filled with different lenses may seem like a good idea, but it actually retards the improvement of your skills. What makes you a better photographer is learning how to use and excel with as little gear as possible. For example, carry only a DSLR with a prime, or fixed focal length, lens, such as a 50mm. The only other equipment you’ll need you can carry in a pocket: an extra memory card, extra battery, ND filter and a cloth to wipe the lens. Initially, this may seem limiting, but the photographer who is motivated to improve his or her skills will learn how to be more creative within these restrictions.

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