Want to take photos that grab people’s attention and evoke emotions but just can’t despite your best efforts? We know how frustrating it is to learn the ropes of photography. Thus, we have compiled tips from expert photographers that will help and encourage you to keep walking that road to becoming a pro.
Best photography tips for beginners:
- Keep on taking photos.
It’s easy to give up when you can’t seem to do it right the first, second, and third time no matter how hard you try. But remember that there’s no limit to the number of attempts you can do, and you’ll get better with practice. So be patient with yourself—keep shooting the subjects you’re interested in, and you’ll see progress soon.
- Try various photography styles.
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“Try everything. Photojournalism, fashion, portraiture, nudes, whatever. You won’t know what kind of photographer you are until you try it,” said on-the-road Magnum photographer Alec Soth. He has tried shooting subjects ranging from the unconventional like socks and tabletops to the more serious like photo assignments for a newspaper. It was through these experiences that Soth learned what niche he liked and what he couldn’t see himself doing.
“Fun is important. You should like the process and the subject. If you are bored or unhappy with your subject, it will show up in the pictures,” he added.
So if you feel like a particular type of photography isn’t for you, try something else. You might like that better, and your photos might come out better, too.
- Decide what you want to photograph.
After you’ve tried many photography styles, pick out the one you’d like to focus on. Devote as many hours of practice as you can. Photographer and journalist Jens Lennartsson of TheZenPhotographer.com has this to say about choosing one’s niche: “You should not be a photographer that shoots ‘everything’. You need to be good at something that others aren’t.”
He understands a photographer’s need to explore various markets to make a living, but he insists on finding what makes one stand out at some point. “As you go along, you need to become the guy who makes those weird and awesome miniature landscapes or shoots stunning black-and-white ambient light studio portraits. Become really good in a specific field and show that off. People will remember you.”
- Be open to feedback about your photos.
Criticism can be a bitter pill to swallow, especially if you’re emotionally attached to your work. But if you want to grow in your craft, you’ll have to learn how to view criticism constructively. Consider the point of a feedback given to you—there might be wisdom in it. Learn to work on your flaws proactively. No matter how good you think you are, there’s always room for improvement. So get a grip and spend more time using the feedback you’ve received to improve your shots instead of sulking with your bruised ego.
All the equipment you use, materials you read, and techniques you learn will amount to nothing without an open mindset. So if you want to take your photography skills up a notch, begin with developing the right attitude first, then everything else will follow.
