11 Tips for Beginner Photographers
submitted by CSS from www.heretocreate.com
As a new photographer, these are some of the ideas that have helped get me going.
1. Don’t go crazy buying the most expensive equipment right away.
It’s possible to get very nice photos with an inexpensive point and shoot. See these examples on Flickr. The more photos you take, the more you’ll know about what kind of camera to get when it’s time to upgrade.
2. Consider a tripod.
On the other hand, an inexpensive tripod is worth getting, especially if you have shaky hands like mine. When I got a tripod, my satisfaction with my shots skyrocketed. For even more stability, use your camera’s timer function with a tripod (read our introduction to tripods).
3. Keep your camera with you all the time.
Photo ops often come when you least expect it. If you can keep your equipment relatively simple - just a small camera bag and a tripod - you might be able to take advantage of some of those unexpected opportunities. Or, if your phone has a camera, use it to take “notes” on scenes you’d like to return to with your regular camera.
4. Make a list of shots you’d like to get.
For those times you can’t carry your camera around, keep a small notebook to jot down places you’d like to come back and photograph. Make sure to note any important details, like the lighting, so you can come back at the same time of day or when the weather’s right. If you don’t want to carry a notebook, send yourself an email using your cell phone with Jott.com.
5. Don’t overlook mundane subjects for photography.
You might not see anything interesting to photograph in your living room or your backyard, but try looking at familiar surroundings with fresh eyes. You might catch an interesting trick of the light or find some unexpected wildflowers in your yard. Often a simple subject makes the best shot.
6. Enjoy the learning process.
The best part of having a hobby like photography is never running out of things to learn. Inspiration is all around you. Look at everything with the eyes of a photographer and you’ll see opportunities you never noticed before.
7. Take advantage of free resources to learn.
Browse through Flickr or websites like the Digital Photography School Forum for inspiration and tips. Also, your local library probably has a wealth of books on all types of photography. If you’re interested in learning about post-processing, give free software like the GIMP a try.
8. Experiment with your camera’s settings.
Your point and shoot may be more flexible and powerful than you know. Read the manual for help deciphering all those little symbols. As you explore, try shooting your subjects with multiple settings to learn what effects you like. When you’re looking at your photos on a computer, you can check the EXIF data (usually in the file’s properties) to recall the settings you used.
9. Learn the basic rules.
The amount of information about photography online can be overwhelming. Start with a few articles on composition. Be open to what more experienced photographers have to say about technique. You have to know the rules before you can break them.
10. Take photos regularly.
Try to photograph something every day. If you can’t do that, make sure you take time to practice regularly, so you don’t forget what you’ve learned. An excellent way to motivate yourself is by doing the weekly assignments in the DPS Forum.
11. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
If you’re using a digital camera, the cost of errors is free. Go crazy - you might end up with something you like. You’ll certainly learn a lot in the process.
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September 20th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Excellent advices. I have always been fond of my Nikon film point and shoot camera and I have taken many of my favorite pictures using that. Here is one example. :)
Regards,
Suman.
September 20th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Oops ! Didn’t realize that HTML embedding of photos is not allowed here !
Here is the direct link to the photo I was talking about: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sumanc/532024360/in/set-72157594250821168/
Thanks,
Suman.
September 21st, 2007 at 1:58 am
One of the best tips is the 5th one (”Don’t overlook mundane subjects for photography”).
I’ve been taking photos for some time now, yet only a few months ago I started thinking about simple stuff as subjects in photos.
September 21st, 2007 at 3:04 am
I would add one more tip. stolen from lightroom
Have Fun.
We tend to worry too much about the shot and we miss on the fun. I know at times as an enthusiast this has caused me to stop wanting to shoot photos, and I would guess for a beginner it would be deadly.
Joe
September 21st, 2007 at 3:46 am
Klaidas, I agree completely. I’ve been doing the same and it really makes you take a closer look at your immediate surroundings. Quite refreshing, actually.
September 21st, 2007 at 4:27 am
Great advices, we can learn lot about dof, composition, colour and lighting with modern point and shoot also. I have started photography just 6 months ago and I am still enjoying lot with my point and shoot.
But one thing I wanted to mention, I am always very gratefull to Darren for dps, I learned heaps here and everyday waits curiously for email.
Here are some of my photos, love to hear comments and critiques.
http://picasaweb.google.com/azeemqais
Azeem Qais
September 22nd, 2007 at 1:03 am
Klaidas, you are so right. There is something interesting in everything, you just have to be willing to look for it.
I also think #3 is important. I almost never leave home without my camera, even to go to work. You never know when something amazing appears before you and you’ll kick yourself if you don’t have your camera.
#10 is also good advice. I am only an amateur, but I try to take 1,000 shots a month which always results in a few dozen really good photos.
I would also add that it is always helpful to take several shots of the same subject changing angles and making small adjustments. One of them will always be better than the others.
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:46 am
Thanks, this is an excellent list!
September 22nd, 2007 at 3:37 pm
For me the one I had to learn was keep my camera on me and ready at all times. Batteries full and memory available. Then just go crazy, especially with digital, darn I love digital. Great list, thanks.
Ted
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Great advise for all. It’s easy to take the same type of photograph again and again and forget to experiment with something new.
September 22nd, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Often overlooked, but I think digicams are still a fantastic way of getting into photography: small, easy to use, and no “kit” to buy for them even if you wanted to shell out more money! Plus, if you ever wanted an SLR (and some people don’t) you have a nice little digicam too…
No piece of equipment has driven my photography forward so much as the little Fuji digicam I bought almost three years ago. One year and 10,000 pics later, I knew about the kinds of pictures I liked, my favourite subject matter, and exactly what I wanted from my next camera.
September 27th, 2007 at 3:46 am
Thanks for the excellent tips. I got a nice new D40x with lots of speed, memory, and battery power, but the one thing I find myself missing is a tripod. I am either going to have to buy one soon or swipe my wife’s! And then for Christmas, the telephoto lens…. :)
January 4th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
What an excellent list. It’s great finding resources like this aimed specifically at beginners. I purchased my first DSLR a couple of months ago, and have been on a steep learning curve ever since. Stuck with the fully automatic mode for a while, then left the automatic safety net for the ‘almost as safe’ territory of the predefined modes (Portrait, landscape, macro etc). in the last couple of weeks I’ve now started dabbling in Aperture and shutter prioroty modes. Whilst the results are quite often less than satisfactory, occasionally a little gem will appear.
Thanks for the tips and links
Feel free to have a look at my amateur efforts at http://www.photopye.co.uk
January 31st, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Here’s my favorite tip from your list:
1. Don’t go crazy buying the most expensive equipment right away.
So many people think that the tool (camera) means that you can do the skill (photography). Getting a new camera is fun BUT use what you have and invest in photo education and start to learn how to see like a professional photographer sees. THEN buy a better camera after you have increased you skills.
Bob Dale
Master Photographer
http://www.howtotakedigitalphotos.com
http://www.scrapbookingideavideos.com