How to learn how to take photographs with a DSLR for beginners. How to take photographs with a DSLR. A simple guide to DSLR photography

Often, beginners in photography have a question: where to start as a novice photographer? For those who are just about to study the art of photography, we have put together good advice, which will help a novice photographer learn the most important things. Having a good camera is half the battle, even less. And to be able to use it correctly is a whole science. Let's figure out what a novice photographer needs to know.

If you have seriously decided to take up photography, then we offer several recommendations for a successful start.

  • Don't chase newfangled technology. A soap dish and a DSLR are two different things, there is no point in arguing. But don’t try to buy the coolest camera and think that the pictures will be of high quality. IN in capable hands Even photographs taken on a point-and-shoot camera will look beautiful and mesmerizing. And, conversely, a good SLR camera in the hands of an inept photographer will not take spectacular pictures. Everything depends not on the pixels and other parameters of the camera, but on the ability to take photographs, see the frame, and set up the camera. For the first time, an ordinary SLR camera will be enough, or a used one. It is important to be careful here and not run into faulty equipment. Don't go shopping in search of a popular and fashionable camera; this can significantly empty your wallet and not lead to the desired effect. Spend this time learning the art of photography.
  • Once you have purchased your camera, get to know it. Read the instructions carefully and understand the settings. Photos taken in Auto mode will not have the same effect as photos taken using manual settings. The camera should be your friend. It is important to know the settings inside and out so that you can always be on friendly terms with your friend.

  • Start learning from the basics. Take a course where the teacher will give you the necessary knowledge base and point you in the right direction. You can ask knowledgeable person questions that interest you. If you can't take courses, don't worry. Start studying the art of photography on your own by purchasing special literature or using the Internet. Don't be intimidated by the amount of information that seems overwhelming. Stick to the training plan and little by little you will achieve results.
  • Practice. Remember how in the song “I always take a video camera with me”? Also in life. Take your camera with you and take pictures. The more you practice, the better. Learn to see the frame, build a composition, change settings and get used to the camera. This doesn’t mean that you should mindlessly photograph everything, but you shouldn’t leave the camera for too long. Let it be in action, and not gather dust on a shelf.

  • Try to notice interesting things around you. Even if you don’t have a camera with you, learn to see a good shot, think through the composition and understand how to build the light and what settings to use. The ability to notice interesting things around you will become a habit over time, which will certainly affect the quality of your photos.
  • Don't stop learning. Study the photographs of other photographers who admire you, whose work you usually admire. Try to understand what is the secret of their success? What's special about their photographs? Try to take a similar photograph, it will not be copying, just one of the stages of learning. You won’t be able to take exactly the same shot, but you might discover something new for yourself.
  • Don't stop taking photographs if you don't like your photos. Try to understand why the shot was unsuccessful, what was wrong? There is work on mistakes in any school, university, this normal process. No one can do everything perfectly the first time. We all make mistakes, learn, step on the same rake. The most persistent one reaches the end. Don't be discouraged if your photos aren't as beautiful as you'd like. Do you think famous photographers succeed with everything from the first press of a camera button? You are deeply mistaken. Sometimes you have to take hundreds, or even thousands of frames in order to select the most beautiful 5-6 photos from them that will cause admiration. The profession of a photographer is labor, the ability to see a frame, take it, and process photographs. This is a creative process that requires concentration and diligence. Lazy photographers never succeed. They take mediocre photos and don't learn from their mistakes. Don't want to be counted among them? Then don’t be afraid to make mistakes and move forward, honing your skills.
  • No need to worry about your camera. We advise you to start by buying a used camera that you can take with you everywhere, actively use, and not have to keep track of every scratch or crack. This is technology! Yes, she is your assistant photographer, but nothing more. This is not a child who needs constant supervision. Of course, you don’t need to handle your camera carelessly, but you don’t need to blow away dust particles either.

Let's look at the camera settings. What should you definitely pay attention to?

Manual shooting modes

M- manual mode;
A/AV- aperture priority, in this case the camera will set the shutter speed;

  • Advice:
    In the case when the shutter speed is 1/60 s, it is recommended to use a tripod.

S/TV- shutter priority, the camera will automatically set the aperture value, convenient to use when you need to capture movement in sharpness;
P- program, almost automatic shooting mode, suitable for the first exposure measurement.

Exposition

Exposition- the amount of light entering the camera matrix when the shutter is opened. Too much light - the frame is overexposed, too little - underexposed.

Diaphragm- a device in the lens that regulates the size of the circle by changing the amount of light passing through it. How more value, the more the aperture is closed, less light hits the matrix. If you want to shoot a landscape, then use a closed aperture of f/8, then the entire space of the frame will be in sharpness. For portraits, an open aperture of f/1.4 - 3.5 would be an excellent option.

With the aperture wide open, shoot in spot focus mode.

Light meter- this is a scale on the camera screen, in the viewfinder. The exposure meter readings depend on its operating mode.

Matrix- measures a significant part of the frame, suitable for most types of shooting.

Spot metering- produced in central square. Perfect for shooting in difficult lighting conditions, as well as for taking portraits.

Center-weighted- measures the amount of light throughout the frame, focusing on the central area. Necessary when you need to take a photograph of an object in the center of the frame.

White balance

White balance is the process of adjusting the colors of a photo depending on the light sources so that white objects do not take on warm or cool tones. All colors in a photo depend on the white balance setting. If you change lighting conditions, the white balance also needs to be adjusted again.

Take pictures in RAW format, this will allow you to change the white balance in processing programs.

It is impossible to tell everything for a beginning photographer. There is a lot of information, it is constantly updated, appears new technology, respectively, the possibilities of using the camera. We shared useful information for beginner photographers. If you feel a great desire to take photographs, don’t put it off until later! Maybe your hobby will turn into your life's work.

Have you ever been intimidated by the thought of photographing other people? Believe it or not, all you have to do is overcome your insecurities and people will become the easiest subjects to photograph. Why is this so? Just imagine what you are doing landscape photos. Most of us don't live in an area with spectacular views. This means that you need to go somewhere to take a photo. Upon arrival at the place, if the weather and lighting are not suitable, you can simply turn around and go home.

However, when photographing people, you have complete control. All the elements of good photography are in your hands. You are surrounded by potential subjects: friends, relatives, and even passers-by if you have the courage to ask them. Each potential subject is unique. If the lighting is bad, you can fix it by moving to another place or using flash. You can ask the person to wear different clothes or do something unusual. The only limit is your imagination.

That's the key to great photos of people - imagination. Have fun and, if you don't know much about your camera's settings yet, just set it to automatic mode (most cameras have a special mode Portrait), concentrating on getting beautiful photos. Next I will talk about the technical details.

One of the best ways to improve your skills is to learn from professionals. Here are some tips to get you thinking like a pro and getting into the right frame of mind for stunning portraits.

1. Create a connection with the subject

This is the most important skill! Master it and you're halfway to becoming a professional photographer. Good advice, especially for beginners - to photograph a friend who likes to pose for the camera. Your job as a photographer is to help the person relax and have fun. If you succeed, the result will be great photos.

Take photos of relatives and friends. The connection between you will help you get excellent result. Photo: Unsplash.

If you need a model, your boyfriend or girlfriend could be a great option.

2. Choose the right lens

The focal length of the lens is very important. You need to understand the nature of your equipment and know how to use it to your advantage. Good news - if you have a digital camera with a kit lens (usually 18-55mm focal length), then this is already an excellent tool for photographing people. Just set it to 55mm and go. Instead of using the zoom, change your position. So you will study the characteristics focal length with whom you are working.

If you want the best, Canon and Nikon have made cheap 50mm f/1.8 lenses that are ideal for portraits; A wider aperture will blur the background better.

Even wide-angle lenses can produce great portraits. Photo: Unsplash.

Also, don't ignore the wide-angle end of your kit lens. Documentary photographers and photojournalists love wide-angle lenses because they force them to get closer to the subject. The photographs are intimate due to the close proximity of the photographer. Wide-angle lenses are also good for showing the subject along with their surroundings. This is another style of portrait photography.

Don't come near too much close if you use a wide angle. In this case, facial features will be distorted and the result will be unsatisfactory.

3. Play with different lights

The best lighting for portraits may not be at the time you think it is. Cloudy skies and late afternoon sun are good. Direct sunlight Doesn't fit well - it creates harsh shadows on faces and makes people squint. Backlighting is a delightful option, but be careful of glare. You will also need a reflector or flash to direct the light onto the subject's face. Window lighting works well for indoor photography, but again you will need a reflector to illuminate the shadowed side of the subject's face.

What is a reflector? This is any object that reflects light, directing it towards the subject and softening the shadows. You can buy special reflectors from manufacturers such as Lastolite, or you can make your own from a large piece of white cardboard or paper. Photographers need reflectors because the available light is rarely ideal. And with their help you can take control of the light.

4. Learn to use camera settings

To take good pictures, you need to be able to control your camera. Don't leave it on automatic. Learn how shutter speed, aperture, and ISO affect the look of your photo.

Next time you shoot, try using Aperture Priority mode and setting it to its widest setting. This will give you a great blurred background. If the day is sunny, try ISO 100. If it's cloudy, try ISO 400. The shutter speed will be set automatically.

Learn how to use your camera correctly to get similar photos. Photo: Unsplash.

Always shoot in RAW format. It provides the most post-processing capabilities.

5. Avoid “posing”

You can learn a lot about posing by studying photographs and fashion magazines. However, don’t get carried away - you can often get best results, if you ask a person to fool around on camera. Ask him to relax and act naturally. Then you will get photos full of life.

Even unusual poses can work. Photo: Unsplash.

6. Play with movement

Get creative. Ask the person to stand straight while others around them move. Place your camera on a tripod for best results.

Don't take the same photo over and over again. Play with movement or different elements, such as windows. Photo: Unsplash.

7. Conclude a model release

If you plan to sell photos, it's worth getting a signed model release. This is a simple document that confirms the model's permission to sell photographs of her.

In general, a photo posted on a website or magazine does not require a model release, as it is considered editorial use (as long as you do not defame the subject, of course). If you plan to sell a photo for use in advertising or other promotional material, it is better to take care of this.

If you want to sell your photos, don't forget about the model release. Photo: Unsplash.

Find out about the laws in your country. Some countries, especially in Europe, have strict privacy laws that govern the use of captured images. When in doubt, sign the release. It is better when it is there and you are selling photos with the model's permission than when it is not there.

Have you ever been intimidated by the thought of photographing other people? Believe it or not, all you have to do is overcome your insecurities and people will become the easiest subjects to photograph. Why is this so? Imagine that you are taking landscape photos. Most of us don't live in an area with spectacular views. This means that you need to go somewhere to take a photo. Upon arrival at the place, if the weather and lighting are not suitable, you can simply turn around and go home.

However, when photographing people, you have complete control. All the elements of good photography are in your hands. You are surrounded by potential subjects: friends, relatives, and even passers-by if you have the courage to ask them. Each potential subject is unique. If the lighting is bad, you can fix it by moving to another place or using flash. You can ask the person to wear different clothes or do something unusual. The only limit is your imagination.

That's the key to great photos of people - imagination. Have fun and, if you don't know much about your camera's settings yet, just set it to automatic mode (most cameras have a special mode Portrait), concentrating on getting beautiful photos. Next I will talk about the technical details.

One of the best ways to improve your skills is to learn from professionals. Here are some tips to get you thinking like a pro and getting into the right frame of mind for stunning portraits.

1. Create a connection with the subject

This is the most important skill! Master it and you're halfway to becoming a professional photographer. A good tip, especially for beginners, is to photograph someone you know who likes to pose for the camera. Your job as a photographer is to help the person relax and have fun. If you succeed, the result will be great photos.

Take photos of relatives and friends. The connection between you will help you get a great result. Photo: Unsplash.

If you need a model, your boyfriend or girlfriend could be a great option.

2. Choose the right lens

The focal length of the lens is very important. You need to understand the nature of your equipment and know how to use it to your advantage. Good news - if you have a digital camera with a kit lens (usually 18-55mm focal length), then this is already an excellent tool for photographing people. Just set it to 55mm and go. Instead of using the zoom, change your position. This will help you learn the characteristics of the focal length you are working with.

If you want the best, Canon and Nikon have made cheap 50mm f/1.8 lenses that are ideal for portraits; A wider aperture will blur the background better.

Even wide-angle lenses can produce great portraits. Photo: Unsplash.

Also, don't ignore the wide-angle end of your kit lens. Documentary photographers and photojournalists love wide-angle lenses because they force them to get closer to the subject. The photographs are intimate due to the close proximity of the photographer. Wide-angle lenses are also good for showing the subject along with their surroundings. This is another style of portrait photography.

Don't come near too much close if you use a wide angle. In this case, facial features will be distorted and the result will be unsatisfactory.

3. Play with different lights

The best lighting for portraits may not be at the time you think it is. Cloudy skies and late afternoon sun are good. Direct sunlight is bad - it creates harsh shadows on faces and makes people squint. Backlighting is a delightful option, but be careful of glare. You will also need a reflector or flash to direct the light onto the subject's face. Window lighting works well for indoor photography, but again you will need a reflector to illuminate the shadowed side of the subject's face.

What is a reflector? This is any object that reflects light, directing it towards the subject and softening the shadows. You can buy special reflectors from manufacturers such as Lastolite, or you can make your own from a large piece of white cardboard or paper. Photographers need reflectors because the available light is rarely ideal. And with their help you can take control of the light.

4. Learn to use camera settings

To take good pictures, you need to be able to control your camera. Don't leave it on automatic. Learn how shutter speed, aperture, and ISO affect the look of your photo.

Next time you shoot, try using Aperture Priority mode and setting it to its widest setting. This will give you a great blurred background. If the day is sunny, try ISO 100. If it's cloudy, try ISO 400. The shutter speed will be set automatically.

Learn how to use your camera correctly to get similar photos. Photo: Unsplash.

Always shoot in RAW format. It provides the most post-processing capabilities.

5. Avoid “posing”

You can learn a lot about posing by studying photographs and fashion magazines. However, don't get carried away - you can often get better results if you ask the person to fool around on camera. Ask him to relax and act naturally. Then you will get photos full of life.

Even unusual poses can work. Photo: Unsplash.

6. Play with movement

Get creative. Ask the person to stand straight while others around them move. Place your camera on a tripod for best results.

Don't take the same photo over and over again. Play with movement or different elements such as windows. Photo: Unsplash.

7. Conclude a model release

If you plan to sell photos, it's worth getting a signed model release. This is a simple document that confirms the model's permission to sell photographs of her.

In general, a photo posted on a website or magazine does not require a model release, as it is considered editorial use (as long as you do not defame the subject, of course). If you plan to sell a photo for use in advertising or other promotional material, it is better to take care of this.

If you want to sell your photos, don't forget about the model release. Photo: Unsplash.

Find out about the laws in your country. Some countries, especially in Europe, have strict privacy laws that govern the use of captured images. When in doubt, sign the release. It is better when it is there and you are selling photos with the model's permission than when it is not there.

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The main commandment of smartphone photography: it doesn’t matter how cool the camera is, what matters is who’s holding it. And with the most luxurious DSLR you can take clear, but boring photographs. The kind that lie on disk and no one opens them for years.

And you can take interesting photos with your smartphone, especially since this equipment is always with you, you don’t have to uncover it for a long time and you won’t forget to remove the lens cap. And for the most part, smartphones are cheaper than DSLRs, which is also very pleasing.

website I’ve put together some tips for you on how to take cool photos using your smartphone.

Programs

A camera in a smartphone is, first of all, a program that maintains the lens and matrix. Therefore, you should not stop at what Android or iOS dictates to you. You may want to use different programs to different cases shooting. Some give a more interesting color rendition, others - a little more close-ups: Pudding Camera, CameraMX, Photosynth, VSCO Cam, Slow shutter cam, Pro HDR, Camera+, etc. Why limit yourself if you have a choice?

Having chosen a program, it’s worth delving into the settings. Install high resolution pictures, remember that in difficult cases you can play with white balance, ISO and turn off autofocus. And in general, find out what interesting things a specific program can do.

Zoom

Cropping as a replacement for zoom.

It’s better to forget once and for all that your smartphone has digital zoom. Such an increase in most cases is achieved by serious losses in image quality. The best zoom is the legs: come closer, move further away.

If this is not possible, then it is wiser to cut out the frame you need from a large photograph during post-processing. The framing function is available even in the most simple programs. Plus, you don’t waste time adjusting the size, you just take it off. And already in a calm environment, you correctly compose the frame, without missing details that you could accidentally crop out while using the zoom in the field.

Series

Take several shots of the same scene. Subsequently, you can choose the most successful photo and work with it. And, before deleting photos from your smartphone, it’s a good idea to view them on your computer, since you may not notice them on your phone’s small screen. nice photos just because they will appear overexposed or underexposed.

If it doesn’t turn out interesting, you should change the shooting angle.

When photographing something or someone, don't be afraid to change angles. You can take a photo head-on, or you can change the angle a little and get an interesting shot. Moreover, the compact size of the smartphone allows you to take angles for which a photographer with a large camera will have to work hard.

Light

The flash on a smartphone should be used very carefully. As a rule, it “deads” the photo, distorts colors and shadows. Flash is only good when you need to take pictures immediately, otherwise you'll miss the moment.

At the same time, light is the photographer's main tool. This is important for professional cameras, but for smartphones it is much more important. Therefore, always look for the light, pay close attention to how it falls on the subject, and you will get the shot.

Good light in the morning and evening. On a sunny afternoon, you will have to work with too high a contrast, which threatens with artifacts in the pictures. The pre-storm sky gives luxurious effects.

Product photography

On the left is a photo with a lack of lighting, on the right is with a flashlight.

If you want to take a photo of something or someone at home, the smartphone can become stubborn - there is rarely enough light in the room. But you can take a simple one led flashlight and a sheet of white paper to compensate for the shadow being too harsh. Let's say a flashlight is shining from above on the right, we bring a sheet of white paper to the left, which reflects the light of the flashlight and additionally illuminates the object, and press the button on the phone.

Lens Cleanliness

Frame through a fingerprint.

It would seem that an obvious thing is the cleanliness of the lens, but smartphone lovers often come across this issue. The phone is used constantly, lies in your pocket, and when you take it to answer a call or SMS, the last thing you remember is that you left a fingerprint on the glass of the lens. When shooting, this print gives, of course, a slight mysterious blur, but, as a rule, this is the effect you do not expect in the intended photo.

Response delay

It is important to take into account the fact that the shooting program in a smartphone in most cases operates with a delay. You've already pressed the button, but the camera is still thinking before taking a photo. Therefore, it is important to think proactively, like a hunter who shoots not at a hare, but at the place where, according to his assumption, the hare will be at the next moment.

Let's say you are photographing a flower in a field, and it is windy on that day, you need to take into account the speed of the camera and at the same time capture the moment between gusts of wind. It’s difficult, but the result will be more valuable due to the effort spent.

Post-processing programs

Simplest editing on Instagram.

Most professional photographers do post-processing of photographs, absolutely always in commercial photography, but for smartphone photography this is a vital necessity. You cannot adjust the shutter speed and aperture on your smartphone. This limitation is compensated for by a variety of post-processing programs. This is beyond the well-known Instagram and Flickr.

  • VSCO Cam. Allows you to apply a variety of filters and settings. Distributed free of charge.
  • Afterlight. Good for color correction. Costs 34 rubles.
  • Touch retouch. This simple tool allows you to remove minor imperfections in a photo and clone parts of the image. There are free and paid versions.
  • SnapSeed. A huge number of filters and effects, such as tilt-shift and focus adjustment, sharpness and color adjustment. Distributed free of charge.
  • Pixlr Express. Large selection filters, frames, effects. Completely free.
  • Photoshop Express. It doesn’t provide any special settings, but there are a lot of different filters that make the processing process as fast as possible. Can work with RAW files. Free of charge.
  • Rookie. There are both free and paid features. IN standard package The application has a lot of vintage filters adapted for different genres of photography: portraits, landscapes, city sketches, macro, etc.
  • Phonto. Allows you to add any fonts you wish to your photo. Distributed free of charge.
  • Moldiv. Free app in Russian, which allows you to make collages by combining up to 9 pictures.
  • MultiExpo(for iOS). Interesting application to create a multiple exposure effect. Distributed free of charge.
  • Photo Grid. Free application for creating collages. Can work with high resolution files.
  • LensLight. The application allows you to add glare, glow and bokeh effects to your photos. Costs 99 rubles.

Once you start taking photographs, professional growth seems to come very quickly. You will measure your skill by the improvements you see in your work and the photographs you take. In this article, I'll talk about the things I've learned over four years of photography and share tips for aspiring photographers to grow professionally.

Here are ten things I wish I knew before I started filming:

1. Vision changes

Once you start taking photography seriously, you will never see things the same way again. If your experience of critically examining things is like mine, you will find yourself staring at every photo and video you see. It became almost impossible for me to watch the film without analyzing the cinematography and the way it was shot. Film is a unique medium, but I still get a lot of inspiration from professional photography.

Once you start chasing good pictures, you can expect your lifestyle to change. Waking up earlier or staying up late at night to get unique lighting will become a routine part of life. Personally, I think that studying good photos closely is a great way to improve your work. Plunging yourself into the world of photography will force the right lobe of your brain to work more actively.

2. It's an expensive hobby.

Photography is not a cheap hobby, especially if you plan to actively buy equipment. After purchasing your first DSLR, you signed up to buy a “system” of lenses and flashes that only work with that brand. If after this you want to sell everything and switch to another brand, it can cost a considerable amount of money (I've done this enough times and I know what I'm talking about).

Buying a camera will force you to buy add-ons that are only compatible with it.

There are two approaches to avoiding the costly side of photography: first, don't tie your success to the equipment you use. That is, you cannot convince yourself that an additional lens will make your work perfect. When it comes to equipment, there is no magic bullet; best approach- gradually and thoughtfully purchase everything you need.

Second, reduce the cost through savings. Buying used equipment seemed intimidating at first, but over time it became an opportunity to buy cameras and lenses that were beyond my capabilities. Smart decisions like purchasing a fast prime focus (more on this below) can help combat equipment collection syndrome. Continue reading and learn how to do right choice.

3. Skip stops

When I first started learning about exposure, a mistake I often talk about was trying to learn its mathematical scale. Measuring stops of light and memorizing the f-number scale is a huge waste of time.

Studying allf-numbers and cramming the exposure scale are a common activity for beginners, but this is not best use of your time.

It's more important to understand how the exposure triangle works, and to learn how to balance and be creative with exposure. Don't worry about counting the feet and capturing the light perfectly, there are a lot of other things going on, like posing the models correctly and controlling the lighting.

4. Switch to manual mode

The sooner you start to truly control your exposure, the sooner you will stop being a person who just clicks buttons. It's not always easy - you'll need to learn a lot about measurements, exposure, focus, and other things.

Going beyond automatic exposure mode is the most main step to move from beginner to master. When you begin to take control of your photography and learn to understand the nuances of exposure, you will turn your work on its head and be able to predict the outcome. You'll use lighting, create creative exposures, and come up with a variety of scenarios that the camera can handle on its own.

A difficult situation with background lighting.

A great intermediate step is to learn to control one additional factor at a time. Start by understanding ISO, how it affects your shot, and the light that hits your sensor. Then you can move on to controlling shutter speed and aperture, also studying the visual changes from them. Working on your shutter speed or aperture is an important training step towards full manual exposure control.

5. Filming takes time.

It sounds painfully basic, but I often forgot that the only way to truly improve was to hold a camera in my hand every day, constantly taking pictures. The only way I could use it was to set aside time to shoot between school and work.

How can you improve if you don't take the time to shoot? It seems so obvious, but like many, I have fallen victim to this belief. Shooting with friends and the presence of a competitive element - two the best way keep yourself busy shooting and improving your skills.

A great way to keep taking photos is to challenge yourself. If I have a task, even one assigned by me, the chance that I will get out and take pictures is much higher. There are tons of photos of tests on the Internet that will not let you relax. If you take this approach, different challenges and assignments will help keep you creative.

6. Prioritize your lenses

The key to avoiding unnecessary spending on equipment is to make smart purchases and use them right away. The first two years of my photography career were spent jumping from one carcass to another. I was chasing megapixels, more focal points and everything that I thought would improve the photos. Along the way, I always found a way to avoid buying what was really important: lenses!

If you stick to a cheap kit lens that comes with your camera, you'll limit your options. While a standard lens can take great pictures, it does have its limitations; Usually these are 18-55mm lenses with a slow aperture, which forces you to shoot only in well-lit areas. If you stop it down to f/8 or so, the photos will be sharp, but not sharp enough.

This point may seem to contradict one of the previous ones, constantly requiring more equipment for better photos, but there is a rational grain in buying lenses. It's much more important to make the right choice by purchasing a faster (wide aperture) lens that will produce great images.

7. Don't rush to become a pro

After you have been shooting for some time and have already started exhibiting your work, there will be a chance that you will receive your first orders. Whether it's a friend's graduation portrait, landscape photos for print, or a wedding (the most dangerous endeavor), friends will always be looking for someone (usually on the cheap) to capture their treasured moments.

Of course, the chance to quickly monetize your hobby looks very attractive. This will help you buy new equipment and make ends meet. However, there are some nuances that cannot be predicted. Dealing with difficult clients who break contracts at the last minute, risks of legal liability and many other things are all integral parts of the professional process. No matter what your relationship with the client is, you will always be in a position to receive payment for the services provided. Take your time to move on to professional photography and act carefully.

8. Always take your camera with you

You'll never get good pictures if your camera is lying around the house. I told myself that if I left my camera at home even once, that day I would lose the chance to win the photojournalism award that I had been waiting for. That's why you can rarely see me without a camera. Whether you carry a DSLR or an iPhone with your favorite app, your photography tool should always be within reach!

It is impossible to take pictures without a camera. Whether it's a DSLR, a point-and-shoot camera, or a smartphone camera, to improve your photography skills you should always have a photography tool on hand.

Moreover, the “carry with you” philosophy has shaped much of my recent equipment decisions. I won’t buy another huge carcass that will lie in my bag, because what difference does it make how high quality it is if it won’t be used anyway. I don't need this at all.

9. Buy a quick fifty dollars

If your current camera has interchangeable lenses, I can't think of a better "second" lens than a 50mm. They typically have apertures of f/2, f/1.8, f/1.4, which are great for low-light photography and allow you to control depth of field in a way that a kit lens will never be able to. If you're using a smaller APS-C sensor, a 35mm lens will create almost the same field of view as a fifty-fifty full-frame camera.

A 50mm lens with an f/1.8 aperture is something that can almost always be recommended, and for good reason. With a wide aperture, you can shoot in low light conditions and get creative with depth of field.

Main for me creative opportunity- this is depth of field control. If you're not familiar with this concept, it refers to how much of the frame's content is in focus. Lenses with a wide aperture (such as f/1.8 fifty) allow you to leave only a small part of the image in focus.

10. Study the camera in detail

Another way to improve your photography skills is to understand the tools you work with. When you don't have to think about which buttons to press and which ones technical solutions accept, you can approach photography from a creative side. You think about the lighting, not the numbers on the aperture dial. When you examine every option, every setting, every knob on the camera, it becomes an eye-opener.

It may seem silly, but thoughtfully reading your camera manual is a great way to get started. It's even better to shoot every day, immersing yourself more and more in the settings.

Conclusions

Looking back over the four years during which I was seriously engaged in photography, it is difficult to even say how much photography has influenced my life. From the friends I've met to the commercial experiences that have come with time, photography can be a great, positive endeavor for both amateurs and lifelong professionals.

What are some things you wish you knew when you first started filming? What have you learned over the course of your photography career?