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5 Ways To Improve Your Photography Skills

I’ve yet to meet a photographer who doesn’t think they can improve some aspect of their skillset. For beginners, it might be how to improve their composition or how to avoid their photos being blurred. For more advanced photographers it might be how to use a new piece of technology or even shooting a different genre to what they are accustomed to. For example, I recently added a drone to my photography kit and so it took some time to learn how to use it properly and safely. But I’m by no means an expert yet and it will take more practice to get to the level I would like to be at. Whatever level you are at, there are always ways t improve. So here are some ideas for you to implement to improve your photography skill set.

Shoot more

The easiest and most common way to improve your photography is to simply take more photos. That doesn’t mean keeping your finger on your shutter button and shooting at high-speed burst mode. But rather, it is about shooting more photos. Photography is like any other skill and the more you do it and practice the better you will become. So set yourself a target of doing the type of photography you are interested in a few times a week or month. But instead of just wondering around aimlessly and shooting, set a plan and treat it like a real shoot. You will be far more likely to do it well if you have prepared.

You can also set yourself a target of practising something that you may not be good at. For example, if you struggle to shoot in low light conditions, make a point of practising this over and over again until you see an improvement in your photos.

Do something new

As photographers, we all have a genre that we specialise in and enjoy doing. For me as a travel and landscape photographer, locations and people are what I prefer to take photos of. But at the same time, over the years, I have also photographed weddings, events and food. So even if in the long term you prefer to stick to what you enjoy, it is still worth trying out some new things. Besides the new skills that you will learn, it will also help you take your mind off what you usually photograph which can sometimes help you when you then return to your forte. So make a plan of trying out some new types of photography over the course of the year. You never know you might end up enjoying the new genre more than your thought.

Watch and read

One of the biggest advantages photographers have these days is the sheer wealth of information that is out there for them to access. You literally have access to thousands of photographers who generally all write blogs, create videos and have social media accounts. Not only can all of this inspire you to improve your own work, but you can also find answers to specific questions you may have. For example, the LifePixel blog alone has almost 500 posts on pretty much all aspects of photography.

But all of this information can seem overwhelming so try to set yourself a learning plan that you can follow. Let’s say you want to improve your portrait photography. Instead of watching a few videos and then switching to videos about landscapes, spend a few days or weeks purely on portrait photography before moving on. Make a list of things you would like to learn, what you want to improve and then practice what you have watched or read. It will help you retain the information better.

Even your camera manual is worth reading a few times!

Join or attend…

Whether its events, workshops, talks or camera clubs, being surrounded by others who share your passion is a great way to improve your photography. For most people, photography is a lonely hobby or profession. Even when you are surrounded by people like, say a wedding photographer you are still usually on your own. So look to join a local camera club or even go on a photography workshop where you will spend several hours or even days with other people who love photography. Often this can lead to you forming friendships with people who you can then practice photography with (like a photography buddy). You may find that having someone to bounce ideas off, for inspiration or support really helps you improve your own photography.

Get better equipment

Ok, you may think that I’m contradicting myself as I have always been an advocate of people not using the phrase that I hear often: “if only I had a better camera my photos would be better” as an excuse for their photography. I firmly believe that anyone can take great photos with any camera. So I would always recommend that you spend your time and money in actually improving your photography rather than improving your kit. However, there are some exceptions when it comes to photography equipment where the quality does make a difference.

The two obvious candidates are your tripod and your filters. Using cheap or flimsy tripods and filters could mean you end up with poor photos. For example, a flimsy tripod might mean vibrations make your photos blurred. And poor quality filters could mean your photos suffer from colour casts. Over time you will naturally improve your kit, so make a list in order of priority and upgrade when you can afford it.

Over the years I have met many amateurs or even experienced photographers who have gone on to achieve great things with their photography. They all have one thing in common in that they were all willing to work hard and practice to perfect their craft. Photography is something that I believe anyone can improve in. Of course, some people have a natural talent whilst others just have to work harder. Use the ideas above to see if you can improve your photography.

5 Reasons You Should Join A Camera Club

Taking up photography as a hobby can be very rewarding, especially when you’ve decided to get involved in a community culture that values your artistic expression. After all, isn’t half the fun of photography showing off your best shots? Joining a camera club can instantly insert you into that community culture and there are many different reasons why joining a camera club is a good idea. Let’s explore some of them!

Comradery sparks creativity

It really is true that we can have our best ideas when we’re brainstorming or competing with one another. When you’re placed into a group with likeminded people who are all trying to achieve something with their artistic expression, you automatically want to perform better. When it comes to photography, this can mean several different things.

For example, imagine that you’ve joined a camera club and you’re listening to the discussions of your peers. In between hearing stories of how they captured a really intriguing photo, you look at the images they’ve produced. They’re good; really good. Now you’re wondering if you could do something similar, or perhaps do it in a better way.

It’s natural to have a desire to meet and exceed the expectations of your peers. Being part of a camera club will not only introduce you to new ways of thinking about photography, but it will challenge you to be more creative as well.

It’s a great educational resource

We all have unique experiences in our lives that shape us into the people we are today. That means that each and every member of the camera club is a potential teacher who can share their experiences with you so that you can learn from them.

If you’re curious about how to use certain settings on your camera, you are bound to find someone experienced in using it in your club. If you are wondering just what time of day would be the best for getting one specific kind of shot somewhere around the city, again, someone in the club most likely has some important advice for you.

It’s more than just general advice, too. Being part of a community like a camera club gives you access to the collective knowledge of the group. This means that whenever someone takes photography classes they are likely to share what they’ve learned with you. It should be no surprise that all levels of experience come into the club, ranging from newbies to experts, all who have a great deal to share.

Camera clubs often also have professional photographers as guest speakers. This can give you a wonderful opportunity to learn and ask questions from those who are in the trade.

Make connections to increase your network

Like any social gathering, people are bound to communicate. If you want to take photography seriously enough to try and make money at it, then a camera club is a good place to start expanding your network.

You will likely meet people who have had varying levels of success in becoming professional photographers. Those with the most success can be valuable resources for you to learn the tips and tricks, the do’s and do not’s, of the photography trade. Listen to what they have to say and take notes. Because if your goal matches what they’ve already accomplished, they can practically lay down a road map for you.

This could include which avenues of marketing to pursue (such as social networks, freelance sourcing tools, etc.) because learning the right and wrong ways to promote yourself are vital aspects of earning money from photography. It’s one thing to get your aunt and uncle to hire you to take pictures during their anniversary party; it’s quite another to be approached unsolicited by a client to photograph their gallery opening. Someone else’s proven experience can translate into dollars for you if you learn, listen, and network properly.

Encouragement and growth

Photography can be technical in many respects, but it can also be very subjective. You are likely your own worst critic, since you see all of the mistakes that you’ve made or know about the missed opportunities (if you had just clicked a few more frames before taking down your tripod, you could have captured that amazing light coming through the clouds). It can be very easy when you are just getting started to doubt your capabilities.

It’s important to remember that photography, like any hobby or serious venture, has a learning curve that comes with it. You won’t be perfect every time. You certainly won’t know everything instantly or how to correct mistakes. A camera club will surround you with likeminded individuals who have been there.

They’ve made the mistakes you’re currently making and they can encourage you to push onward. A support system will not only help you get through your self-doubt, but it will also help you grow in your skillset. They’ll help you overcome the hurdles and see that you reach the finish line, whatever that may be.

You might even be able to save a little cash

Be honest, when you decided to take up photography, did you first tally up the cost of the hobby? You might have priced out a certain kind of camera, but beyond that, you likely didn’t realize how much money you would end up spending.

Choosing photography as a hobby can prove to be an expensive decision. The cost of film, data cards, lenses, tripods, and whatever else you need to get the kinds of shots you want all add up quickly. Some camera clubs offer incentives to their members like deep discounts on equipment and software.

Plus, some camera clubs will have social functions at locations where you normally may not be able to go. You might get some cool behind the scenes shots at venues that would otherwise be closed off to you, or at the very least, cost you an expensive ticket and/or pass to gain entry.

While camera clubs are first and foremost about sharing a similar interest, they can also become a valuable way to save some of your hard-earned cash. Why not take advantage of a perk like that?

Photography can feel like a lonely profession or hobby sometimes. Let’s be honest, your spouse, partner or even friends might not get as excited as you about how beautiful the light was yesterday morning. But being amongst other people to share and discuss these things can really help your sense of loneliness. Not to mention spark your creativity and help you possibly even make some new friends.

Ideas On How To Improve Your Photography At Home

What more enjoyable way to spend your free time than putting effort into improving your craft? There are plenty of ways to work on your photography skills at home, so read on for some tips! One common misconception about photography is that you must be somewhere spectacular to get a good picture. While an incredible landscape or city can create some strong visuals, what makes a great photo is a blend of your subject matter and your ‘eye’ for photography. The good thing is, you can continually improve on the latter by learning new creative techniques or developing new ideas and photoshoot concepts. Here’s how:

Critique yourself

We can’t get any better at anything if we don’t take a second to assess our strengths and weaknesses. No matter what level you’re at with regards to your photography skills, you can always improve on something. Pull up a recent batch of photos that you’ve taken, and try to look at them from the perspective of a critic, and not yourself as the photographer. Dig deep and ask yourself:

What was I trying to portray with this photograph?
Could the composition be improved?
Is the intended main subject translating as such?
Is there any blurriness, noise, or incorrect use of exposure?
Is my use of framing helping or hindering my image?
Could the composition have been improved?

Split these into two categories: one that you’re entirely pleased with, and one for those that need work. Jot down some areas of improvement, and start working on improving them!

Study your composition

With those photos that you weren’t completely sold on, were you perhaps displeased with the composition? An excellent way to play around with this is to pull up the old photos into your favourite photo editing system and spend some time moving the image around, changing the settings about, and cropping the photo. This manipulating of the image helps you to visualize different ways you could have taken the picture and trains your eye to seek out proper framing for objects that you’re photographing. By doing this, the next time you’re out in the field and need to get the perfect shot because the lighting is just right or the crowds have finally dispersed, you’ll have less about which to worry!

Treat your home like a new place to explore

Indeed, your home is not foreign territory to you. You’ve been everywhere in your home – theoretically – and you know where the cutlery is, where the best spot to relax is and how the alarm system works. Take off your man-or-woman-of-the-house hat, and put on your photographer hat. Explore your house as if you were exploring a new city or a new photographic location. Ask yourself things like:

Where does the best light fall throughout the day?
What are the best vantage points?
What unique angles or elements are around on which I could focus?

By looking for possibilities in a place where you have been so programmed to use for a different purpose, you’re training your eye to see through a photographer’s lens, no matter where you are. This fresh perspective will translate into practice in your daily life outside your home.

Explore your backyard, your bathroom, or pick up a plant and use it as your primary focus or an element to frame. Get creative! Think outside of the box, and push the boundaries of where your mind would usually go. No one will likely be seeing these photos, making it the perfect opportunity to practice. Play around with foreground focus, work with aperture, and gain a deep understanding of the depth of field and light.

Moreover, discover where the light shines and how to use things like shadows, sunlight, and reflections to your advantage, and understand what sort of effect they bring. And don’t be limited just by daylight or moonlight—play around with torches, candles, lamps, light fixtures—the possibilities are endless. Learn how to shoot in different light conditions and how to set the mood for particular types of photography.

Step outside of your comfort zone

If you want to improve different areas of your photography, choose one of your weaker ones, or perhaps one category that you don’t enjoy as much. As a photographer, especially if you’re just starting out, having a wide range of skills in your portfolio can be a great thing, as you are more likely to get hired to work on different sets of projects, which as a freelancer, means you’re making more money. Therefore, if you aren’t, for example, highly skilled in portraits, get your partner, family member, or child to pose for you, and work on your portrait photography skills. Take some shots, study your weaknesses, pull up the work of a photographer you admire and see what they do, and compare. Practice makes perfect, so get practising.

Another good reason for stepping out of your comfort zone and shooting things you don’t usually shoot is to help you come up with ideas for something you do like to shoot. Do you perhaps prefer portraits to landscapes because you can’t tell a landscape to move? Maybe you realized that you struggle with creating depth or altering your shutter speed for the scene. If you worked on those skills, would you start to love photographing landscapes? At the very least, you’ll also develop a deeper understanding of your camera and a personal knowledge of your strengths and weaknesses.

Join an online photography club

What better way to improve your craft than by networking with other photographers? These days technology means that there are plenty of resources online to help you meet people without having to leave your home. If you join a photography club on Meetup, you can share shots you’ve taken outside or in your home and get other photographer’s opinions on it. Alternatively, you can also share and receive tips on improving specific areas of your craft, so it’s truly a win-win.

Whether you’re out in the field or at home, there are plenty of ways to improve your photography skills. Often you’ll find it easier to practice your photography at home as it means there isn’t any effort in having to go out. So take advantage of your home and use it to improve your photography.

5 Photography Changes You Should Make In 2020

A new year always brings new resolutions. So why not make some photography resolutions instead this year? Often these only last a few weeks or months but if you can keep to it you may just see a huge improvement in your photos. Photography is like any other hobby. The more you practice the better you will become. So, here are 5 photography changes for you to make in 2020.

Take more photos

The most obvious change that you can make if you want to capture better photos is to simply take more photos. The more you get out there and practice taking shots the better you will become. Whether that is spotting potential scenarios or being able to select your settings quickly, set yourself a goal of taking more photos in 2020.

But don’t just go and photograph scenarios you are familiar with, instead work on your weaknesses so that you improve the parts of your photography that you struggle with. For example, if you struggle to take photos in low light conditions head to a covered market and practice there for a few hours a week. You’ll be amazed how much you will improve over time by doing this.

Go somewhere new

Going to new places to take photos is a great way to kickstart your passion for photography. New destinations often mean you are even more alert and ready to capture photos as it is somewhere new and exciting. It’s natural that if you keep going to places that you have been to you will subconsciously become immune to what you see around you. So, set yourself a goal of visiting a few new locations every year to inspire you.

Revisit somewhere again

Whilst visiting somewhere new is great to kickstart your passion, you should also take some time to visit places that you have been to before. This could be because the places that you visited before didn’t give you the shot that you wanted because of bad weather for example. Or it could be because something has changed. For example, big cities are constantly changing and there might be a new building or landmark to photograph. Or it might just be that you want to try and capture a better photo than what you already have.

The great thing about revisiting somewhere you already know is that you should know where the best spots are for photos. So, you should already have an idea in your mind about that type of shot that you want to take. Whatever your reason is for revisiting old destinations, make a commitment to revisit a few of these in 2020.

Join a photography club

Photography can be a lonely hobby. There are not many people (other than photographers) who want to hear about your ordeal at sunrise to capture that shot you wanted. Or people who want to discuss camera accessories, settings and even look at your photos. That’s why joining a local camera club is a great way to boost your photography. Not only will you be surrounded by like-minded individuals who would usually be much happier to discuss all things photography, but they will also inspire you to improve your own work. The other benefit of joining a camera club is that they also often have talks and events run by established professional photographers that can help you improve your work. You can then put what you have learned into practice by entering the club’s photography competitions.

Visit an art gallery

It might seem strange, but a great way to inspire yourself and learn more about photography is by visiting an art gallery. Pay attention to how paintings frame the composition and used colour and especially light to tell a story. After all, these were the photographs of the day and painters had to use a lot of the same principles that are used in photography. You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn about photography by visiting an art gallery.

Post one picture a week

There has been a lot said about the pros and cons of social media. Whilst you should never believe the hype and also take to heart anything said on there, social media is a good way to showcase your work to your friends, family and the world. Whether it is Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest (or any others), make a habit of posting regularly on one of these platforms. Don’t get too hung up on “likes” or “followers” but instead use it as an exercise to constantly share a great photo. The reason is that it will make you get out there and take more photos. But you can also review your work as a collection to see if there is a style and look and feel that is unique to you. So, set yourself the aim of posting at least one photo a week.

If you are serious about improving your photography, you have to dedicate the time to actually learn and improve. With a new year comes new opportunities so make sure that you set yourself some goals and challenges to improve your work. If you can make these 5 changes for 2020 you will be sure to see an improvement in your work.