Learn Digital Photography - Top Seven Tips For Beginners
by Wayne G Turner
When I discovered digital photography after years as a film photographer I
wanted to get the best possible camera and other equipment. But, equipment
was really the last thing that should have been on my list besides a
camera of reasonable quality. What I really needed was to learn the
fundamentals of photography. Good photographers take good pictures not
cameras.
The first thing that any budding photographer needs to learn are the
fundamentals of photography starting with the basics. Get these under your
belt quickly and you have already won half the battle. So, what needs to
happen to get you going as a beginner with your first digital camera?
Let's take a look at my top seven.
1. Equipment
It's not all about equipment. Don't go rushing out to buy expensive
equipment without knowing what you need. A keen sales person will sell you
as far as your wallet or credit card will take you. Wait until you know
what you need and what you like and match these desires with the right
equipment.
2. Decide on the type of shots you'd like to shoot
A good idea is to browse the internet photo galleries, look in magazines
or visit your local library to get an idea of what type of photo you
really like. Try it out with your camera and see if you are able to, or,
want to persevere until you can. Once you've made a list plan to go out
and shoot on a regular basis. It's practise that makes perfect. Stick to
it until you master your genre. Only then start looking for the equipment
to match your area of interest.
3. Decide on a structured learning plan
Find out what you'd like to learn and what you need to learn in order to
shoot the type of photos that interest you. For example, macro and nature
photography is a more specialised art form and there are a number of
techniques and skills to learn, as well as equipment you'll need to buy.
Research it on the internet, read books and if possible take a course on
macro or close up photography.
4. Take photos often
If you are not regularly shooting images you are not going to grow in your
skills and abilities. Set yourself assignments based on what you are
studying. Of course, in a structured course you will be given assignments.
A photo a day keeps the creativity flowing and helps you to keep
motivated. I did an assignment once taking a 100 photos of the same
subject from a host of different angles. It gave my photography an
unexpected boost.
5. Learn your camera's settings
Getting to know your camera is paramount if you want to learn to take
great photos and the best way to do this is by reading your manual. Like I
should be telling you this. I am the last one who reads a manual. But, if
you do it in a structured way you'll be amazed at how quickly you get to
know your camera. The way I did it was to go through the manual
highlighting everything I already knew about it. Then I went back through
the manual reading up on each section I didn't know, practising as I went
along. Once I got to know it I was amazed at how much more I could do with
my camera. The key is to experiment.
6. Keep your camera with you
Take every opportunity to get a great shot. Whenever you see something
that would make a great photo, shoot it. I have often wished that I had
taken my camera with me and got an amazing shot. If you don't have it with
you, you won't get the shot
7. Buy a tripod
Besides my camera, my tripod is the most important piece of kit in my
equipment bag. There are shots you can only get if your camera is steady.
The sharpness of your shots will improve dramatically. If the pros use
them then why not the amateurs?
As you begin your photography journey, work at learning in a structured
way so that the fundamentals of photography become second nature.
Photography should be fun but your learning process needs to be serious.
Happy shooting!
