Are you interested in getting started in the wonderful world of photography?
Whether you’re looking to pursue photography as a career or as a hobby, it takes a lot more than just a camera to call yourself a photographer. No matter how you start, there are many tips and tricks that you can use to kickstart your photography journey.
So what’s the first step to getting started? We’ve created this short guide to help you get into photography for the first time. You’ll find tips on everything from choosing the right gear to advice on taking the best photos.
If you have the passion and the interest in taking great photos, here is your guide to getting started.
- Use the right equipment
In order to take the best photos, you need a professional camera. Thankfully, there are many budgets, and mid-pro cameras available these days that will allow you to take fantastic pictures. To get the best deals, head to a professional camera store like MPB. They have all the professional video and camera equipment you need to get started.
There’s another easy way to save too – just shop with a coupon code! Save with an MPB discount and you can shop for digital SLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, flashes, and lenses at incredible discount prices.
- Learn composition
When it comes to learning photography, it’s quality over quantity. Taking 100s of pictures won’t matter if your composition is off. Before snapping a picture, you need to take a moment to consider the scene carefully.
Learning composition will take your photos from good to great. Follow the basics of composition and you’ll soon know instinctively how to capture the best scene. Adobe has a great guide on composition to help you get started.
- Attend a workshop
Photography is a skill that can be hard to learn without any help. Workshops will help teach you everything you need to know from how to choose the right lighting to how to properly edit your photos. Aside from learning the basics, it will give you a whole new perspective on composition and what makes photos visually appealing.
- Practice, practice, practice
Photography is one of the skills you learn by doing. You can tinker with your camera and its settings all you want, but the best way to learn is to get out there and take some photos. You’ll be amazed how much you can learn just by going outdoors and practicing.
If you have a hard time finding the motivation, take photos with a friend or join a photography club. Although photography is usually a solitary hobby, adding a social aspect might just inspire you to get out there and take more pictures.
- Find a mentor
Finding a mentor can help you gain valuable experience in little time. Apart from helping you find some new inspiration, a mentor can teach you photography tips and tricks that they learned through hard-earned experience. Some professional photography studies will allow you to tag along and oversee their work in exchange for some help.
Some day, you can even return the favor and mentor someone new to photography yourself!
- Learn how to read light
One of the most important skills a photographer can have is to learn to read light. Learning how to position your subject and take advantage of light sources will transform your photos.
If you’re new to photography and don’t have access to light diffusers or slave flashes, it’s especially important to learn where light is coming from and how you can best take advantage of it. You can even DIY your own light filters to help you take beautiful photos.