Photography can be intimidating. There are hundreds of different cameras, techniques and editing programs. Serious photographers have also developed their own style, mood and Lightroom actions. So where is the non-professional hobbyist to start?
This post was originally titled, “Lessons My Husband Taught Me about Photography”— because that’s exactly what I’m sharing today. Aaron is my photographer-hero, not least because when I realized that I wanted to learn more about the craft, he already had a range of gadgets for me to try. He himself is a hobby photographer, though I personally think he could go professional if he wanted to.
My current photography routine
I don’t consider myself a serious photographer– not even close. I don’t actually know very many terms or techniques, and I’m not (at the moment) interested in learning them all.
However, I am one of many bloggers who has realized that 1) photography is fun, and 2) good photography improves a blog immensely. And, there’s no need to become a pro in order to take great photos.
So how do I photograph for my blog? Most of the time, I use my Fuji X100S— a small fixed-lens camera that does an amazing job while remaining travel-friendly. Because of its size, this camera is pretty simple. I love it.
I take photos in good lighting, and then I edit them in Adobe Lightroom. Lightroom has tons of cool functions, but I mostly use the controls for exposure, contrast, blacks, sharpness, and saturation. That’s it!
Creating your own photography routine
The one thing that photography tips usually leave out is that– this is STILL an art! You can do whatever you want. There, I said it.
It takes time to develop your own photography habits, but it’s okay to pick and choose which advice you heed and which ones you forget about. This is YOUR art.
[Tweet “This is YOUR art. 5 Simple Photography Tips for the Hobbyist via @daisylinshih #photography”]
5 Simple Photography Tips for the Hobbyist
So, where do you start? What do you buy? Which course do you take? What editing program do you purchase?
The answer? Start now. Use your camera. Don’t buy anything– yet.
Tip #1: Take a lot of photos and delete most of them.
Aaron’s number one tip for improvement? Take lots and lots of photos. But don’t stop there– look through them and delete most of them, except for a few extraordinary shots. For example, go on a hike and bring your camera. Try taking fifty or even a hundred shots. Once you return home, select two or three of your favorites. Look at those and ask yourself why you like them. Do more of that next time.
Tip #2: Photograph a variety of subjects.
The way you approach lighting and composition can vary depending on your subject. Try photographing people, landscapes, food, flowers, animals– anything around you. Get a feel for how their colors and textures respond differently to the lens. Then use your critical eye to judge what worked well and what did not.
Tip #3: Your camera doesn’t matter as much as you think (at first).
So many people think that in order to become “good” at photography, you need a gigantic Nikon. This just isn’t true. A well-practiced hobbyist with an iPhone is better than a complete amateur with a Leica. So work with what you have. Figure out what you like and don’t like; soon, many of your shots will look better than most of the ones on the internet. Once you’ve completely mastered photography on your current equipment, then perhaps it’s time to look into new gadgets.
Tip #4: Pretend you can’t edit.
I have often done a sloppy job with the original photo, telling myself I’ll just improve it later. However, while cropping and editing can be a great help, a bad shot is just a bad shot. Instead, see what you can do to get the perfect shot that needs absolutely no editing. If that’s your starting point, then imagine how much better the outcome will be!
Tip #5: Scale back the edits you do make.
The telltale sign of an amateur is over-editing. Whether on Instagram, PicMonkey or in Photoshop, it’s easy to go completely overboard with color saturation, exposure, and contrast. Once you think you’re done editing the photo, compare it with the original. Do you like the changes? Or does it look overdone? If it looks overdone, scale back some of the edits.
I seriously struggle with photography, but I’m trying to improve! Thanks for these helpful tips!!
Great tips! I agree with all of them especially the first one. I always take more than one shot (of the same thing) just in case. You can always delete them later! One of my times would be composition; specifically horizontal lines. I always try to make sure they’re straight no matter what. Nothing can ruin a photo but lines that aren’t straight! Thanks for sharing these tips though!
Katherine Lou
http://www.wanderhour.com
I love that these tips are simple and easy to follow. I think many people fall prey to overriding and the pictures lose so much. I also like Aaron’s tip to take tons of pictures but keep a few to study what makes them so wonderful. Great advice!
Great!! Good luck!!
Haha awesome Nichole! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Good tips!! All on my to do list now 🙂
Tip 2: Photograph a variety of subjects….Challenge accepted!
Absolutely! I agree about writing yucky drafts; I used to hate editing and rewriting, but doing so has made my writing so much better.
That’s so true– b/w can do wonders. I completely agree!
Thanks for sharing these tips, Daisy! Numbers 1, 2, and 3 felt like they could also be writing tips, especially number 1! It’s like giving yourself permission to write those yucky first drafts to get to the gems (though, Anne Lamott says that in a much more vulgar way!).
#3 and #4 is sooo true. But…sometimes a bad shot can be saved by making it black and white (and then it’ll have a more artsy look). Though if that fails, it’s time to trash the photo. 😛
Jen
http://www.lifeunrefined.com
Hah thanks!! 🙂
Thanks girl!! And yes I feel that– lighting is so crucial…
Awesome Lily! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Haha that’s great Kiki! And the less editing, the more your talents will show through!
Thanks! and yes, good lighting is key– it can’t be created artificially!
Yes! It’s a great way to gradually get better too!
Thanks Heidi! 🙂
Thanks Jen! And that’s awesome– I hope you love your camera!
Bloody great tips
These are such great tips! I’m so lazy with photography and often over edit to compensate for it (typically because I don’t have the patience to wait for good lighting.)
I need to tell my sister! She’s always so grateful and willing to hear any piece of advice 🙂
Lazy Penguins
I used to over edit soooo many things. Like to an embarrassing “that’s so obvious” level. Now I like doing the bare minimum. To just lighten up too dark photos and forget about flaws. In fact, flaws make photos seem more real to me. In a world blinded by perfection, why not?
On any given weekend I take hundreds of photos and keep about ten. Glad I’m not alone. (;
http://www.accordingtokiki.net
These are great tips! My husband is also my photographer and understands the terms more than I do. Lighting makes all of the difference!
These are great tips! I know I usually take hundreds of photos and only end up with a handful that actually work. 🙂
Such great tips! I love learning about photography!
Wishes & Reality
Love this! I am in the beginning stages of using my DSLR outside of the “auto” setting so this post was very timely for me. Thanks!
LOL I feel the same way… And sometimes when I’m traveling the last thing I want to do is take a bunch of photos.
Hahaha yes, good storage is really crucial– especially if the files you take are super large. And that’s exactly it; the key to improving is taking lots and then scrutinizing them!
Thanks Renee!
Haha I definitely did think of you! 😉 Hope you find this helpful– there are SO many photography tips out there that are just way too complicated for someone who just wants to improve and enjoy photography.
Oh yes! I don’t think that a cannon and iphone can take the same quality photos– it’s just good to get better on a simpler camera before going for an expensive one. I’m still so sad that you lost yours to a thief, Anna!
Woohoo, loving these tips! Did you write this post just for me? Haha I’ve been adoring your photography skills in your posts and I’m so glad you are sharing how you make the magic happen! 🙂 Can’t wait to implement these!
I’m a big believer of No. 1… I can take hundreds of pictures at some place and wind up only using a handful. I just wish I could shoot more often, damn work lol.
I think my favourite tip has to be the ‘take a lot of photos’ one. I am so greatful to be in the age of digital cameras where I can just take 10 or 20 shots and end up with one great one. Although I am finding it tricky to edit down now, it was bad enough when I would just take lots of my dog and keep a few different ones each time, throw in a baby too and I’m easily keeping 50 photos a day (after cutting down to only my favourite/best ones!) haha. I think good storage is an essential part of photography 😉
Away From The Blue
I only have an iphone now, and I don’t think it’s as good as the small cannon I had before!! I’m the type to take a BUNCH of pictures, and I still do quite a bit of editing on the “good ones”. I just hope it’s not over-editing!
Really great tips! Couldn’t agree more with the first one..take LOTS!
Renee | Lose The Road