Welcome To Photography! 1. Some Non-Technical Tips For Beginner Photographers

Hey, there! Welcome back!

Are you ready to dive into the world of photography? If you’re a beginner, I’ve got you covered. In this series, I will provide you with everything you need to know about photography, from the technical side to the non-technical aspects. Let’s get started!

But first, what is photography?

Photography is essentially painting with light.

Photography is the art of capturing the light with a camera sensor or on film in order to create an image.

With photography you create an image and freeze a moment or emotion in time, just as when you’re painting.

The key to photography is to understand that not only knowing the technical side of photography is important, there are many other aspects you should know about, like visual storytelling. Once you understand all of them, you will be able to capture incredible photos.

Tip #1: Reading the manual

First things first, every beginner should know their camera and its capabilities. Whether you’re shooting with a DSLR or a phone, take time to familiarize yourself with your camera. Start by reading the manual. This may seem obvious, but the manual has everything — from setting up your camera to understanding the basics of photography like aperture, all the way to the different modes of metering. Spend a day or two going over the manual, and you will be surprised at how much you learn.

Tip #2: Knowing the lingo

In addition to knowing your camera, there are certain terms in the photography world that you should be familiar with. Terms like bokeh, depth of field, bracketing, exposure triangle, and metering are essential. If you watch tutorials or read articles, knowing these terms will make it easier for you to understand and apply the concepts.

I know, this may seem as a weird and obvious tip but you will not believe how many people I know that are beginners or already well into photography, and they still are not sure what some of the terms mean.

Tip #3: Always shoot in RAW

RAW files keep much more data and are perfect for editing. Even if you are not very skilled in post-processing, shooting in RAW will provide you with better options when you decide to edit your photos. And if you are not sure about shooting RAW, there are other options. Most cameras have the option to shoot both RAW + JPEG fine, so take advantage of this feature.

Tip #4: Turn off the beeping noise when focusing

I bet you didn’t expect this one. It’s so obvious but also many people skip it and don’t think it’s that important. The beeping noise can be pretty annoying, especially when you are photographing inside an event or something. This is a practical tip that will help you stay focused and avoid distractions, and also you will not bother the people around you.

Tip #5: Comparing to others

Please, don’t compare yourself to others. I know, this can be difficult at time, but just like everything else in life, you should try to not compare yourself to others. Remember! Everyone moves at a different pace, and everyone has their own path in life. By comparing yourself to others, you can bring yourself down. Focus on your journey and enjoy the process with its many ups and downs.

Tip #6: Social media is not a portfolio

I don’t want to be controversial with this one, it’s just my opinion. Social media can be used as a portfolio, especially in the beginning while you’re still learning. However, it’s always much more professional to present clients with a dedicated portfolio of your best work and projects. Make sure to keep your social media updated, but remember that it’s not the only place where you showcase your work.

Tip #7: Don’t rush to buy expensive gear you don’t know how to use

Expensive gear almost never matters when you’re a beginner. Instead, focus on mastering the basics and practicing every day. Knowing the fundamentals of photography and your camera is far more important than having expensive equipment. Over time, if you feel like your camera and lenses no longer meet your needs, then invest in something new.

Tip #8: Move around!

Please, don’t make the mistake I made in the beginning of always shooting a scene from similar angles and positions. When shooting, don’t just stand there and shoot the same photo over and over again. Move around, explore other angles, try out different compositions and framing. Experiment by changing your perspective. This way, you will end up with more creative and interesting shots.

Tip #9: Always backup your footage!

Ah, backing up photos. This is a key thing you have to do. Always back up everything, the good photos, the bad photos, JPEGs, RAW files. Everything. You just never know when and what you will need, or if you wouldn’t want to revisit your editing style. So get an external hard drive or whatever suits you and start backing things up! Just a little disclaimer: make a back up of the back up, just in case.

Tip #10: Practice, practice, practice

Rule number one for anything in life — practice, because practice makes perfect. So go out and shoot as much as you can. Shoot the trees, the birds, the people, whatever you want, just do it consistently.

Tip #11: Try to get it right in camera

So once you have learned about the basics in photography and have gathered some experience, start trying to get the right settings in camera while you’re shooting. It’s difficult, I know, because it doesn’t always work but don’t give up. Getting the settings right in camera will make post-processing easier and faster.

These are some of the most non-technical things every beginner should know, at least in my humble opinion. I hope you found this post useful and informative! Let me know if you agree or disagree with any of the things I mentioned.

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