Beginners Photography 101 - 6 Basics for the Beginning Photographer

No matter what field of special study, or hobby one chooses to learn, we all have to start somewhere. The same is true with learning beginning photography. Whether you are using a 35mm or digital camera, where and how to start photographing great images, is a huge concern with many beginners. Here are six ideas to help you get started.

Whether you are going to make a career out of photography or it is just a hobby for you, it is essential that you take out your camera and shoot photographs on a regular basis. As with any career or hobby one chooses, you will never achieve success or fulfillment without practice. Just as a world famous concert pianist, one must study and practice their art form as often as possible in order to become skillful and successful in whatever field they’ve chosen. So with that said the first tip is…

1. Keep It Fun!

One essential tip you should learn in photography is, don’t stress yourself out, when taking photographs. The emphasis should be on having fun and making memories. Isn’t that what it’s really all about? Whether you’ve chosen photography as a career, or as a hobby it’s all about making memories. Photography should be fun for everyone involved, the person being photographed as well as the one taking the pictures.

2. Practice Makes Perfect


As I stated in the introduction, if you want to be successful or find fulfillment in photography, (or anything else) it is essential that you get out your camera and take the time to practice regularly and with enthusiasm. In other words, you need to keep your eye to the viewfinder and start photographing! The idea here is repetition. As I was once told, in order to be successful at anything, you have to develop it as habit.

Develop a routine that fits your lifestyle, and as you study and learn new skills include them in your routine. This will help to ensure that you get lots of practice, and that you don’t forget the new skills you have learned. You cannot correct mistakes or improve your skill if you aren’t actually applying what you’ve learned.

Just as a concert pianist devotes many hours to developing their talents, so must a skilled photographer. But you shouldn’t overwhelm yourself with trying to learn too much at once. Take your time, become comfortable with applying one skill, before moving on to the next. Once you are practicing on a regular basis, and have become comfortable with your camera, you can start adding new skills.

3. Move in Closer

By moving in closer to the subject or person(s) you are photographing you get to see more of them and less of the non-essential elements that can clutter a photograph. A good rule of thumb is, when you think you are close enough take another two steps closer. A close up image of a person can reveal part of their character and who they are. This is also true when taking still life photographs; you can get a real feeling for the character of a subject based on a simple picture.

One of my personal all time favorite photographs is a close up shot taken of my grandparents. Still to this day, when I look at that photograph it brings out the memories and emotions of that time and place. In years to come when you look back and pull out those old memory files, you'll be glad that you learned this simple concept. Keep in mind the old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words.

4. Exclude Non-essential Elements

As I mentioned in point three you should exclude non-essential elements in your photography. What doesn't need to be in your photograph shouldn’t be. When there are too many elements in a photograph it can cause confusion, and take attention away from the subject being photographed. So exclude as much of the clutter in your photograph as you possibly can.

When looking through your viewfinder or at your LCD screen pay attention to the edges of the frame. This is where the non-essential elements are most likely to be found. While getting in closer does help to eliminate the clutter, there are times when you can get in too close. So, just pay special attention for any objects that aren't important to the photograph you are trying to capture.

5. Find Different Angles

If there is one thing I try to do in all my photographs, it is to find different angles to shoot from. Taking a photograph from several different angles can be an important step in getting that one in a million shot. Don't always stand in front of your subject; try to find a higher or lower vantage point if possible. Or even just move from one side to the other when taking your photographs. By doing so, you can add a whole new element to the appearance of your photograph. Don't be afraid to try different angles, in order to capture a great image.

6. Take Your Time

Many beginning photographers have the tendency to rush into a photograph. You will often find that if you take the time to move around the scene, you will find interesting and new perspectives, as the background or direction of light changes. So, when you find a subject or location you feel will make a great photograph, be sure to take the time to look at the details and to explore the possibilities, both through your own eyes and through the cameras “eye”, before taking any photographs. A rushed photographer will likely produce average photographs that have little to no appeal.

Any one of these six photography ideas I’ve mentioned here will make for a better photo but, by combining them you will find that your photographs improve dramatically. Take your time in implementing these ideas. Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to have fun with your photography. If you’re not having fun, it will likely come across in the photographs you take. Remember: the great artists of the world became such not only by studying, practicing and developing their skills, but because they had a passion for what they did, and were not afraid to think outside of the box.

Keep an eye out for updates in the near future as I will be posting more tips, tricks and ideas to help you on your journey with beginning photography. Also, be sure to leave any comments, questions or ideas that you may have.