Photography can be very challenging, I have been doing it for a very long time, and the reason that I love it so much is because everyday I’m out there with a camera I learn something new.
I have put tougher a list of tips that can help you become a better photographer and hopefully help you take better photos.
1. Shoot in Manual mode, I know this can be really hard at the beginning but try to learn how a camera works and try to work with different settings, learn how your meter works. The more you do it the more your camera will become part of you and next thing you know you won’t be thinking settings, you will automatically just do it. Here is a good Cheat Sheet that can help you understand these settings a bit better.
2. Find things to photograph. Quit making excuses, there is things to photograph all around you, step out of your house and open your eyes, there is beauty in everything and everywhere, learn how to find it.
3. Challenge your self. No matter where you are, or what you are doing, challenge your self. Try to photograph new things, use different lenses and create different emotions. For example if you are used to shooting portraits, try a landscape and vice versa.
4. Walk around, do not just go to one place and stand there, in order to find the perfect shot you must walk, scout, come back and repeat. There is no such thing as showing up somewhere and within 2 minutes you get the perfect shot. You have to do your homework, and keep trying until you get that perfect photograph you have in your mind.
5. Wake up early. No matter what kind of photography you want to do some of the best lighting is before and during sunrise. Don’t be lazy get up bright and early.
6. Stay past sunset. This one is often overlooked even by experienced photographers. As a landscape photographer I always stay well past the sunset. Sometimes the best colors come well after the sun has set.
7. Practice. Never stop practicing, the only way to get better is to take more photos. The more photos you take the better you will become and in turn the better photos you will take.
8. Invest in your education. No matter how much gear you get, how much money you spend on expensive equipment, it is completely useless if you do not know how to use it. Take a workshop, go to photo walks and learn from other photographers.
9. Hang out with other creatives. It is important to keep your creative circle big and be open. Listen to other photographers and take new direction. You can learn a lot from your creative peers. Collaborate with them and you will be surprised how much you grow as a photographer and an artist.
I hope this tips help you out on your next adventure and help you get better at your photography skills. Drop me a line below if you have any other suggestions or questions.
Happy shooting :)
Get up early, yes, will make use of this idea.
I find that most photographers find this to be the hardest. Most people are sunset chasers.