60 Photography Tips!

There are so many tips and things that could change your photography, I decided to make a list. I've seen these lists all over the internet when I was at the beginning of my photographic journey. I would like contribute to those lists for those that need a little inspiration. Hopefully, this post helps as much as these types helped when I was learning (I'm always learning). Some of these you may have heard before...

1. Always look to learn. Even when you feel that you have mastered your craft, there is always more to learn. Stay committed to perfecting your craft, even-though there is no such accomplishment.

2. Learn how to use Google! Google can help you find almost anything. The internet is so full of "How To's". YouTube is also a great source to learn from.

3. Don't stay on auto mode too long. Learn manual mode for more control.

4. Buy good glass!

5. Don't quit your day job!

6. Be patient, learn, and dont rush into business. Find someone knowledgable to critique your work occasionally and point out how you can improve.

7. Seven is my favorite number for some reason. So, shoot seven things or people, seven different ways, seven days a week.

8. Don't fall prey to "gearitis," lusting for every new thing that comes out. Grow out of your camera and buy good glass, don't settle for cheap glass just because it's cheap. Save and buy.

9. Do the egg photoshoot to get a better grasp of how light falls. One egg on a table, photograph it from all angles and observe the light.

10. Don't get offended when people don't like what you think is great...you'll grow from what they say if you listen and learn to differentiate from what's technical-vs-personal preference.

11. Learn your camera. Read the book. Do your homework before asking questions.

12. Never be afraid to ask questions!

13. Do not buy those cheap lighting starter kits, save your pennies and invest in a lighting line that can grow with you.

14. Find a good mentor and learn, learn, learn before doing any paid gigs.

15. Learn the effects of ISO, Aperture, and shutter speed and when to change what. Once you know how to use it, go to aperture priority

16. Learn about photography, not photoshop. A polished turd is still a turd.

17. Seek advice and help from those who know what they are talking about and want to help. Sometimes its hard to find help because of egos.

18. Don't take stock in shallow superficial praises. Instead ask why and what can be improved.

19. Learn to give good critiques. It will help you learn what to look for in your own work.

20. Critique your own work. Don't be easy on yourself.

21. Love your work! You have to love what you do in order to stay creative. If you don't love your work, how can you expect others to love it?

22. Never delete a photo from the camera. You may accidentally delete good stuff.

23. Trust your LCD.

24. Don't trust your LCD!

25. Know that light is the key to photography!

26. Pay close attention to what's in the background when photographing your subject. The background can make or break a photo.

27. Try to disect an image from another photographer. Examine how they got their finished product.

28. Join a photography forum or group.

29. Task yourself with a personal project.

30. Go on a photo walk, even if you are the only one going.

31. Take pictures of your kids! Take as many as you can. You will be glad you did.

32. Shot in RAW format at all times.

33. Convert RAW files to DNG on import.

34. Use Lightroom or some type of Catalog PIEware to organize and maximize your workflow.

35. Practice! Shoot as much as you possibly can.

36. YouTube is a very good resource to learn from.

37. Shoot, shoot, shoot, and then shoot some more....

38. If you are shooting models, get good models, even if you have to pay them.

39. Make friends with photographers.

40. Don't have "equipment envy" of others. Instead, learn your equipment like the back of your hand. The more you use it, the better.

41. Learn the relationship between f-stop and shutter, versus distance. You'll make better images if you know how these components work together.

42. Play with light as much as you can. Put a teddy bear next to the window, shoot it, move it a foot away... Shoot it again... Move it again... Shoot it again... Learn how light works.

43. Keep your "mind" wide open and never loose the ability to imagine... it's all in the eye of the beholder.

44. Stay positive!

45. Practice composition everyday.

46. Pay attention to what's in the background before pressing the shutter release button.

47. Learn to see!

48. Always be ready to shoot!

49. UV Filters are not necessary.

50. Use prime lenses.

51. Shoot with a purpose.

52. Learn the "Rule of Thirds".

53. Shoot to please yourself and no one else.

54. Always share your photos. Use Social Media to get your images seen.

55. Get to know your subject.

56. If you don't already have one, get a Facebook!

57. If you don't already have one, get a Google+!

58. If you don't already have one, get on Twitter!

59. Checkout 500px!

60. "You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams

Begin With Your Vision

Begin With Your Vision

With vision, the sky is the limit!

Vision

If you plan on starting a photographic journey, the one thing you must know, is that this journey does not start with a camera. It begins with a vision. Now one may ask, “What is a vision?” Is it how we see?

Defining Vision

The definition of vision, according to Merriam-Webster, is "the act or power of seeing." I admire the use of “power” in this definition because visions are very powerful. A person’s sight is as important to their vision as a brush would be to a painter’s art. Vision is what you see and how you see it, it sets the tone of your photographic journey. Get ready, now the adventure begins!

Start of Your Vision

As with any journey, you should take the time to plan ahead and determine a common goal. With this done, other modifying goals can follow. The first question you should ask yourself is if photography is your passion. Then, ask if you really aspire to be a photographer, can you do this for the next five, ten, or even twenty years? If your answer to these is yes, then your adventure into this world of imagery has already begun.

Unclear Vision

Many people have to wait for their sight to adjust in the morning before they can do too much. This goes the same for your vision in photography, unless you want to be the highlight in the next big YouTube video. An unclear vision can keep you from progressing forward in this art form. If you just start with an idea of something that you enjoy, eventually these ideas will become clear. Much like a bloodshot eye is after using Visine, your vision is becoming clear.

Vision Follows You

As your vision becomes clearer, it should follow you throughout your journey. With a clear idea of what you want, your photos will begin to follow a certain style, which will become one in your own. In time you will begin to be unique in your photography and stand out as your own developed style advertises your image.

Your Journey

A journey is the passage or progress from one stage to another. In my opinion, these stages should be the goals that you have set or the next level of your photographic evolution. For example, one of these goals could be to learn how to use your camera in manual mode. The desire to learn more about your tools is always good. Your drive to learn more and continue this adventure should never end. As photographers, we should always want to improve our craft. We should always dream. For if the dreams stop, so does our vision, and without a “vision” it’s all just point and shoot.

Three Rules of Critiques

As a photographer, you will learn that critiques can be really harsh. Having thick skin is a must. I view critiques as a learning tool. I think they are as important as reading a book on photography. You can learn a lot from what someone says about your images. Some people take critiques the wrong way. The biggest reason critiques are taken the wrong way is because they are delivered the wrong way. Of course, some people are just plain rude when giving critiques. And, there are always haters that give so called critiques.

Delivery is very important when giving a critique. You want to always be constructive and polite. Sometimes it's hard to sound polite when being critical. If you are talking to a friend, you are honest when providing advice. When critiquing a photo, you should always be honest. If your intentions are to be helpful, your honesty is very valuable. Critiques are meant to be positive. Many people make them harsh and negative. Think of how you would want someone to critique your work before giving a critique.

How you receive a critique is seriously important to your work, as well. You should always look at them as advice. The choice to take the advice or disregard it is yours. Sometimes hearing the truth about what you create can be hard to take in. When you hear the truth it is critical that you take it the right way. Try to see what the person giving the critique is seeing in your work. Never lash out after a critique. It may be valuable information that you need. If someone is rude, they are probably hating on your work. You give haters power by reacting, because this is what they want. They want to tear you down. Don't let that happen.

Just sharing a recent photo of my son. Critique if you like...

I have three simple rules I follow when giving a critique. This will help you remain polite and respectable. These three simple rules are as follows:

1. Find something to compliment. I know that sometimes it may be hard to find a positive in an image. Starting with a compliment encourages the photographer you are critiquing. This compliment is to let them know they are doing something right.
2. Comment on something that you find to be wrong with the image. This can be the hard part, because there may be many things wrong in the image. This is the critical part of the critique. Be gentle but be truthful! Be gentle because you don't want to destroy confidence. Be truthful in giving advice to help someone else excel at their craft.
3. Finish up with encouraging comments. Okay... After you tear them down, you must pick them back up! This part can be done with more compliments. Try to trigger confidence by encouraging the photographer to never stop shooting.

These are rules that I use when I give critiques. You may use different rules or guidelines. What are some of your critique techniques?

Photography Exposure Triangle

As we all know… Light is the key to photography. The Exposure Triangle is how we control light for an image. The elements of exposure are ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. These settings are adjusted to get certain looks for an image.

ISO

ISO is the numerical exposure index of a photographic film under the system adopted by the International Standardization Organization, used to indicate the light sensitivity of the film's emulsion (Formally known as ASA, American Standards Association). In the Digital Photography Era, ISO is the measurement of how sensitive the camera's image sensor is. The higher the ISO is set makes the sensor more sensitive. 

Shutter Speed

Now shutter speed… There is a shutter in front of the sensor that opens and closes, when the shutter release button is pressed. The duration of the shutter opening is the shutter speed. This is the amount of time that the sensor is exposed to light. I like to think of shutter speed as one of the creative controls on my camera. You can creatively freeze action or blur action.

Aperture

Aperture is the opening in the lens that allows light into the camera and to the sensor. You adjust the aperture to determine the amount of light to allow in. I also think of aperture as a creative control. The wider the aperture is opened, the shallower depth of field in your image. The smaller your aperture, the more depth of field.

Here's a very creative explanation of the triangle. This is how it was explained to me. Okay... Think of a faucet. The spicket is the shutter speed. The opening of the faucet is the aperture. The sink area with little tiny workers represent the ISO. So, you turn the spicket (I wonder does everyone know what a spicket is) to start the water. The opening of the faucet is set. Let's say the faucet (aperture) is wide open. For the duration of the spicket being turned (shutter speed), water (light) enters the sink (sensor). The workers (ISO) paint the image. But because of the wide opening, the workers only have time to paint the important parts of the image (the part of the image that is focused on). This leaves the rest of the image blurred or out of focus. If the faucet opening (aperture) was small, the workers (ISO) would have an easier time painting the whole frame (sink). I hope this makes sense. It was easier for me to see it this way.

The Sink!

The Sink!

Do you have a creative way to explain exposure? Do you shoot in Aperture Priority mode or Shutter Priority mode from time to time?