What are Good Photography Tips?

Photography is often more than just a hobby for many people. But the more you fall in love with photography, the more demands you make on yourself and the more time you can sink into this hobby.

As a result, photography becomes an art form, if not a science. But, even as a beginner, taking really good photos isn’t that difficult if you follow a few good tips and hints.

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Camera and equipment

You should always treat your photo equipment very carefully, clean it from time to time (lenses more often, of course), and always make sure that you protect it well. Additionally, we give you the following tips:

1. Know your camera by heart

There is no way around knowing your camera and the settings. Take your time. Read the manual. Learn the interaction of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. There is no other way. Intevsrested in more info about cameras? Check our article about DSLR vs Mirrorless System Camera here!

2. Get to know your camera metering modes

Understand your meters and how to use them. When framing an image, consider the light and how you want your scene to be exposed. Is the lighting uniform? Is a ray of light shining on your subject?

Do you want the background to fade to black? Your camera will assist you in achieving your goal; all you have to do is tell it how. Experiment with metering and exposure control.

3. Get to know your camera’s shooting modes

Similar to the previous tip, your camera is intelligent, but it requires your assistance from time to time. Some will tell you to always shoot in manual mode, which is nonsense.

Know how to shoot manual, but also when other shooting/exposure modes will benefit your specific photographic goal. Read all about camera mode settings.

4. Understand your focus modes

If you use autofocus, which you almost certainly do, the camera’s autofocus will either make or break the image. Understand the autofocus modes and how to adjust focus if the camera decides it knows better than you which part of the frame you want in focus.

5. Stop being concerned about your equipment

Forget about thoughts like “if only I had this camera/lens/filter…” from now on. It makes no difference what equipment you have. You don’t need a Porsche to learn to drive.

6. Invest in knowledge rather than equipment

Instead of purchasing more equipment, consider booking a coaching session or workshop, purchasing a book, or even going on a photo trip.

It is recommended that you take better photos with more equipment. You will not. Rather, broaden your photographic knowledge.

7. Don’t get caught up in technology

A camera is required to take photographs. That’s all. That was all the ancient masters had. Don’t get carried away with filters, accessories, bells, and whistles. Take out your camera, no matter how old it is, and start snapping pictures.

8. Always keep extra batteries and memory cards on hand

Always keep an extra battery and memory card on hand. Nothing is worse than running up a mountain for hours at 4 a.m. only to realize at the top that your battery has died due to the cold.

9. Use fast lenses with an image stabilizer if possible

Especially as a beginner, both are worth their weight in gold to avoid blurry shots. By using fast lenses, you only need fast shutter speeds. An image stabilizer also ensures crisp, sharp images – even in less experienced hands.

This post explains why a prime lens takes better pictures.

10. Discover how to use an ND graduated filter

Sometimes the sky in a landscape is so bright that it’s impossible to find an exposure that captures both the sky and the landscape.

This is where a graduated filter, which is an essential piece of equipment for any landscape photographer, comes in handy.

11. A polarizing filter can help you capture beautiful skies

Polarizing filters have a variety of effects, one of which is to deepen blue skies; the deeper the blue to begin with, the stronger the effect.

However, there is a knack for using them, and be aware that using them with wide-angle lenses can result in uneven sky tones.

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Taking photos

Reading does not teach photography. Photography can only be learned by taking pictures. Go outside and take pictures. As often and as much as you possibly can. Never use the phrase “I don’t have time.”

12. Take pictures in front of your front door

When you travel, don’t just take pictures. Don’t be one of those people who buy expensive photography equipment for a trip only to leave it at home to gather dust.

Don’t put it off until your next trip. Always take pictures, especially at home. Always be on the lookout for motifs.Learn about how backgrounds are beneficial for your outdoor portrait photography.

13. Take pictures everywhere you go

Make it a habit to bring your camera everywhere you go. Never pass up a chance. Things that aren’t your main focus should be photographed. Investigate new possibilities. Consider thinking outside the box.

14. Give each photograph your full attention

The most common mistake in photography is shooting on the spur of the moment. Take your time with each photograph.

Shape carefully and thoughtfully, then apply what you’ve learned and wait. Remember your mistakes from your bad photos and try not to make them again.

15. Don’t be hurried

Discuss openly with your partner or companion that you want to improve your photography and need some time to do so. Take one photo in 10 minutes rather than ten. Appreciate your companion’s patience. Show your gratitude.

16. Take photos during the day’s off-hours

Unless it’s cloudy, take photos only in the morning or evening when the sun is low in the sky. Photos taken at other times are unlikely to make it into your top 1%. Consider how different the evening and midday sun are.

17. Take in the scenery

Leave your phone at home. Look around you when you’re outside. Every detail around you contains a subject. Look for it. Learn to see the world’s beauty through the eyes of a child. Be inquisitive and attentive.

18. Take photos even more in bad weather

Have you already internalized the fact that you always take photos? Don’t let bad weather keep you from going. Here you can discover an entirely new side of photography. Master the elements!

19. Learn to be a master of light

Light is the most important aspect of great photography and the most difficult to master. Learn about light. Whatever you’re doing, whether at the office, outside, or at home: Observe the light several times a day: where does it come from? Is it warm or cold, diffuse or direct? What kind of mood does it evoke? 

20. Experiment with something new

Don’t limit yourself to what you already know. Experiment with new techniques. Utilize artificial lighting. Taking photographs at close range. Photographing a party.

Experiment with what doesn’t appeal to you. Make something useful out of it. Every well-thought-out photograph will propel you forward.

21. Examine the other images

This is one of the most crucial hints. Look at other people’s photos more carefully from now on. Whenever you come across one. Examine it.

Do you enjoy it? Is it a good photograph? Why? So why not? What did the photographer do particularly well or poorly? What makes it better?

22. Create a personal style

There’s nothing wrong with your photos looking the same as everyone else’s. However, if you want your personality to come through in your images, you should experiment and find a style that fits your artistic vision.

Maintain consistency with your style, but keep in mind that it may not suit every shooting situation. Don’t push it. Always be aware of the fundamentals so that you can rely on them when necessary.

23. Have some idols

Locate your favorite photographers. Whether it’s in a museum or on Instagram. Look through the photos to see which ones speak to you and inspire you. Visit exhibitions or buy coffee table books. 

24. Copy others

Yes, you read that correctly. You are not required to reinvent the wheel. Great photos should be copied. Recreate brilliant ideas. Copy. Get advice and put it into action. You’ll develop your own style regardless.

25. Don’t be disheartened

People will tell you that your photo is terrible. Wonderful. Find out why, and then make a better one. Just keep going. Always think about it, but don’t second-guess yourself. Accept and move on from criticism.

26. Photograph in raw or high-resolution JPEG

Photographs in raw or high-resolution JPEG Shooting raw allows you to get the most out of your sensor. That is a proven fact. However, raw photography is not for every photographer (or camera).

If you’re not going to shoot raw, shoot the highest-resolution JPEG your camera supports. This way, even if you think you’re just taking snapshots, you’ll be able to make a large print if you find an image you really like.

27. Disobey the rules

Disobey the rules. But only after you’ve learned and applied them! Never in the other direction! A photograph with purposefully broken rules is exciting. A photo with rules broken will reveal you as a novice.

28. Take pictures of what moves you

What stirs your emotions? What are you adamant about? Take the risk of photographing this subject. Look for it. Stop photographing only flowers and venture into more serious subjects.

29. Do not be monotonous

Your photos will astound people. Experiment with unusual cuts. A square or an upright panorama is an instant eye-catcher. Dare to try something new. As a photographer, you are an artist. You can experiment and deviate.

30. Learn how to add depth to your photos

Be wary of flat landscape photos that lack depth. They always appear to be dull. Learn how to use foreground, lines, and light to add depth to your photos. We’ll demonstrate: There will be no more dull landscape photos.

31. Tell your stories

Excellent photographs tell stories. Discover your inner author and use your photos to tell stories that move the viewer. In a portrait, this could be a unique facial expression, while in a landscape photo, it could be a house perched on a cliff in the middle of nowhere.

Image retouching

Your photo is now on your memory card, ready to be viewed and edited on the monitor. Editing your photos should always be a part of the process because this is where you add the finishing touches, remove small blemishes, or simply give them your personal touch. 

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Background tools to bring your photography to life

• Aesthetic Background for Portraits
• Old Paper Backgrounds for Portraits
• Galaxy Backgrounds for Portrait
• Islamic Backgrounds for Portrait
• Rembrandt inspired Backgrounds

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32. Sort your photographs

Sort through your photos. Delete the undesirables. You don’t want a hundred folders full of bad photos from your early days. At the most, only keep the top 5 or 10%. Maintain consistency. Sort through your photos after each photo session.

33. Make use of your photographs

Stop taking photos for your hard drive right now. Take photos for a specific purpose. Display your photographs. Give portraits as gifts to family and friends. Send postcards with landscape photos. Make portraits of animals for the shelter.

34. Learn how to edit your photos methodically

Don’t avoid the lengthy chapter on photo editing. Learn it using the system. If you can, you’ll probably enjoy it. Your images will improve vastly. Here, we demonstrate our simple-to-understand system.

35. Forget about free editing software

You can either spend years experimenting with free editing tools before switching to a paid program out of frustration, or you can invest right away. We wish it were otherwise, but good programs are expensive.

36. Persist with image editing

Your initial results will not inspire you. But keep going. Editing images is a marathon, not a sprint. If you work hard and consistently, you will master it, and your images will be massive.

37. Determine your best photos

Only identify 1% of your photos as “top 1%” on a consistent basis. Create a separate folder for them. Edit them and display them with pride.

38. Delete ruthlessly

If you think about a picture for more than 2 seconds, it’s probably not good. Delete any photos that do not immediately persuade you. You can give more space and attention to the good ones this way.

39. Crop your images

Dare to crop your images in post-production. Many photos look much better if you crop a little off the top or bottom. This is an extremely simple but extremely effective trick that very few beginners use.

 

Beginner Photography Sections

» How to start Photography
» DSLR or System Camera
» Aperture
» Shutter Speed
» Camera ISO
» Exposure 
» White Balance

» Histogram
» Camera Modes
» Camera Focus Modes
» Sharp Images
» Composition – Rule of Thirds
» Photography Mistakes to avoid
» Important Tips for Beginners

next section → How to start Photography

 

Conclusion

If you follow our 39 good photography tips for beginners and practice taking photos in various situations, you will quickly develop your photographic skills, recognize your first successes, and create much better photos.