Whether it is to capture memories, spruce up your Instagram profile or develop a better understanding of your hobby, we all have a reason to be better photographers. However, some people have the erroneous presumption that you need top-tier equipment to get serious about photography. I am happy to report that this is not true. You can still take some stellar pictures with a crappy camera phone, provided you know the basics, and of course, develop the right habits. To help you become an expert photographer, we have compiled a list of photography tips for beginners.
10 photography tips for beginners to develop your skills
Here are some tips to develop your photography skills.
Use the Rule of Thirds
One of the first rules in photography every beginner should know is the rule of thirds. The rule states that photographers should divide the frame into nine equal boxes and use the gridlines to compose the image. Photographers should place the subject along one of the horizontal and vertical lines or at one of the four intersection points to make a strong composition. The Rule of Thirds is one of the fundamentals of photography that every beginner should learn.
Learn post-processing
Post-processing is a light editing session to spruce up your image, giving it that extra ‘pop’. It's like a film editor cutting out unnecessary footage or adding background music to make the audience feel a certain emotion. Post-processing is a skill every rookie needs to know, but, a photography tip for beginners: Don’t overdo it. A mistake many newbies make is overdo post-processing, the objective is to improve how the original image looks, not change it completely.
Back up your old photos
One important photography tip for beginners: Keep your old images. You see, photography is not just about having the right equipment it's about having a good eye, understanding shooting techniques and mastering post-processing. If you keep your old images, you can review them to see where you can improve. Put simply, photography is a process, and you will get better as you take more images. Furthermore, once you become a master photographer, you can look back on your crappy images and appreciate how far you have come.
Meet other photographers
Do you want to get better quickly? Then, follow other photographers, meet them and get to know them. The best way to learn is to talk to more experienced photographers and understand how they think. If you are on the more introverted side (we don’t think it's an excuse to not talk to people, but that’s a whole other discussion altogether!), then follow some of the best photographers on Instagram and learn from the best. Michael Yamashita is one of the most famous photographers out there, known for his breathtaking shots throughout Asia.
Keep your camera equipment clean and organised
As a beginner, one underrated photography tip is keeping equipment clean and organised. It doesn’t matter if you are currently using a smartphone camera, you need to get into the habit of keeping your equipment clean and organized for easy access. If you are already using a lot of camera equipment, then you need the right accessories to clean and organise the camera. Keeping it clean makes it easier when you are out and about snapping pictures, like a boss. Plus, it tells everyone that you’ve got a pro’s mindset, even if you aren’t one (yet).
Shoot a lot and experiment!
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Photography is all about learning and having fun. Experiment with different camera settings, try different filters, trial different angles and see what you like best. Experimentation is fun! Which leads to my next point.
Have fun!
My tenth and final photography tip for beginners is to have fun! Photography is a spellbinding, captivating art that speaks to the soul. Sure, videos might be more popular, but there is nothing like freezing a subject in time, in the right moment with the right lighting and with the right effects. Furthermore, photography is fascinating, and you will learn that there is so much more to art than just pointing a camera at a subject and clicking.
Master photography with these fundamentals!
If you can take one thing away from this blog, it’s this: Photography is not about the equipment you use, it’s about technique, knowledge and mindset. Like anything else in life, it's a skill, the more you practice, the more you improve. Today, you are just a rookie, but with the right enthusiasm, mindset and these photography tips for beginners, you will evolve into a master of the game in no time.