If you’re interested in photography and are trying to figure out where to start, you’ve come to the right place! I understand that starting a new hobby can be exciting but overwhelming. This is especially true for photography since there’s a lot to learn!
I became a hobbyist wildlife photographer in 2015 when I got my first camera, an Olympus SP-620UZ, for a high school photography class. I always used that camera; I was always in my backyard photographing birds and other wildlife.
My family gifted me a Canon camera for my high school graduation, and it’s been my trusty sidekick ever since! I’m going to share some basic tips to help you get started in photography. It’s important to note that these tips apply to all types of photography.
Are You Interested in Photography? Here Are 6 Tips to Get You Started
1. Get to Know Your Camera
Arguably, one of the most exciting parts of getting into photography is getting to know your camera! It’s essential to familiarize yourself with whatever camera you’re using, whether it’s a DSLR, mirrorless, or your phone. Learn about all of the different settings and what they do. This includes understanding how to adjust aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
2. Master Composition
Composition is the arrangement of elements in a photo. The rule of thirds is a simple yet powerful guideline. You may have seen it on your phone before, but it’s a grid divided into nine equal parts. It’s recommended that you place subjects and important elements along these lines or at their intersections.
3. Play With Lighting
Lighting is crucial in photography. Natural light is the best lighting source, so I highly recommend that you practice shooting at different times of the day. The golden hour is one of my favorites. It occurs shortly after sunrise and before sunset and provides soft, warm light.
Artificial lighting is also a great option but can be harder to work with. If you think you’ll be working with artificial lighting a lot, play around with it so you can understand how it affects your images.
4. Learn to Use Manual Mode
The hardest thing for me to learn was manual mode. I became so reliant on automatic settings that manual mode wasn’t even appealing to me. However, it’s so important to learn to shoot in manual mode. Not only does it give you full control over your camera, but it also allows you to adjust settings so you can get the desired result.
5. Practice Editing
Believe it or not, one of my favorite parts of photography is editing! Now, don’t get me wrong; with my style of photography, I like wildlife to look as natural as possible, but sometimes the lighting isn’t right, or the colors are off, and it needs to be fixed!
Editing your photos allows you to enhance them, correct exposure, and adjust colors. It’s important to understand that post-processing should complement your photography skills, not compensate for poor technique.
6. Practice, Practice, Practice!
I wish I understood this sooner. There was a good portion of time that I thought photography wasn’t for me because my photos weren’t coming out the way I wanted them to. I almost gave up.
Photography is a skill that improves with practice. You must take pictures regularly—it doesn’t matter what camera you use—just take photos. If you want to make it a challenge, you can set personal projects or themes to keep you engaged. The more you practice photography, the better you’ll understand your camera and the art itself!
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