If photography has recently become your passion and you find yourself spending more and more time holding a camera, remember that starting out is never “easy” but, you should realize that you have been bitten by the photography bug. Here are some of the most common mistakes made by those just starting out with a few hints on how to avoid them.
Professional Equipment — it’s not everything
Professional equipment will not make you a professional photographer. If you think that “having the best” or “expensive equipment” will let you take beautiful and high-quality pictures, you’re thinking wrong.
Experienced photographers can take better photographs by using their smartphone than an amateur can use an expensive or professional camera. Therefore, the amateur photographer really needs to get to know their camera’s functions and options; including any equipment they plan to purchase.
The amateur needs to think about how they can use the tools in their kit. Plus, the amateur needs to remember that even the best telephone screen won’t display a photo’s real quality; the effects of their work should always be analyzed on a laptop or, even better, on a calibrated monitor.
Photography is Freedom of Expression
It’s perfectly normal and even expected to be inspired by the photos of others but you should never copy their work or ideas. It’s okay to analyze another’s photograph, its colors, how its framed, etc. and think about which can be successfully implemented in your own photographs.
The amateur photographer should consider taking part in workshops in order to learn from famous photographers, reading books on photography, magazines of the industry magazines, and asking a professional for advice. However, it’s more important to listen to yourself and not be afraid to experiment which will help you on your way to perfection.
Don’t Use the Flash
Amateur photographers frequently overuse the flash on their cameras. Professional photographers very rarely, if ever, use flash in photography. The built-in flash usually overexposes photographs and makes the photo’s color look flat. So, if you are really interested in photography and you want to develop your skills, consider using a reflector or other accessory to help you emphasize the light.
Sharpen the Background
Many beginner photographers are simply dazzled by the bokeh effect. As they say in Chicago, “Forget about it.” Remember that this effect can create some fantastic effects but it should not be overused. Instead of going for bokeh, focus instead on the entire frame, including what is going on in the background. You may find that the background is what “completes” your photo. The right background selection is fundamental, so don’t underestimate its importance.
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Focus on Composition
Remember to always have an idea for a picture and its composition before hitting the shutter release. Amateur photographers should become familiar with the golden ratio or the rule of thirds. Another fundamental rule is to find 4 interesting points in your frame to keep your eyes focused.
Avoid Backlighting and Full Sunlight
Beautiful weather is not always the perfect time to go outside and take some pictures. Now, I’m not saying that you should not take advantage of a nice sunshiny day, however, don’t forget about shadows cast by hair or a nose and how easy it is to overexpose such a photo.
On days when the sun is shining bright, it’s usually worth finding a shady spot that will offer you the most pleasant, softer, and more elastic light. And, speaking of shadows, always position yourself so that your shadow will not be in the frame.
Use Manual Instead of Auto Mode
The AUTO mode on some cameras was created with amateurs in mind. If you want to develop your skills, you should avoid the AUTO mode as much as possible. As mentioned earlier, get to know your camera by reading the instruction manual and understanding its functions.
Also, shoot your photos in RAW format or RAW/JPEG. RAW images are easier for digital image processing.
Photo Editing
Photo editors are a great way to expose the beauty of your photograph, but digital image processing should not be used to create your image. While photo editors were created to make photographers’ life easier, you should never forget about the basic disciplines of good photography, such as framing, the rule of thirds, etc. If you start out by creating a technically good photo, you will minimize further interference in a photo editor.
Don’t be Offended by Constructive Criticism
No one becomes a professional right away. Beginning as an amateur photographer is difficult but learning is a continuous process that builds on what was learned previously. So eagerly seek out and take constructive criticism, especially from professional photographers. Don’t ever compare yourself with professional photographers at the beginning of your adventure. Comparing yourself to professionals can cause an unnecessary frustration and you don’t want to be become discouraged before you even get started.