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 ourintroduction 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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