Looking at this blog, I feel confident saying that my photography skills have grown exponentially. When a follower tells me they can spot my photography from a mile away, I know I’ve finally created a style that works. I know I’m not an artist behind the camera, but I feel comfortable with the equipment I use today. Knowing that I never knew how to use a technical camera just means that I have truly grown. Since I’m just your average photographer taking shots for myself and my blog, I thought I would share some photography tips for beginners. It doesn’t matter if you have a DSLR, iPhone, or mirrorless camera, I just hope these photography tips for beginners help you as they’ve helped me build my signature style!
Understand the Camera
First and foremost photography tips for beginners has to go to be to know your camera’s fullest potential. Even when it comes to my iPhone, I still research and watch YouTube videos by other creators to unlock my phone’s best capabilities. I did the same whenever I get a new DSLR camera. The more videos you watch and research you do with your camera in your hand, the more you’ll understand your camera and all that it can do.
Choose Manual
When I first started photographing with my first ever DSLR, I had the hardest time shooting on manual. I didn’t get it and I couldn’t be fussed to try to and understand ISO, aperture, and everything else. Since I sat down and got to know my camera, I learned that manual was not that difficult after all and it makes post-processing time that much easier. Your photos won’t turn out horribly when you shoot on automatic, but shooting manual will help you develop your photography style and make your photos look exceptional. One of my other very powerful photography tips for beginners is that if you shoot manual from day one, you will never feel the urge to give up!
Start with Natural Light
It’s all about the right light and how you manipulate it when it comes to photography. Focus on shooting with natural light and nothing too harsh. It’s the easiest to understand how ISO and aperture works and will allow you to pick up the manual basics quickly. Once you’re comfortable with natural light, then play with dark and extreme brightness as well as other shadows.
Framing Shots
Before actually clicking the capture button, make sure to frame your shot. In the beginning, I would spend a lot more time framing a shot that I love and then figuring out the lighting. The framing is what gives a photograph a purpose and story. You’ll notice that my shots incorporated only single subjects and now they incorporate a broader picture as the focal point of most of my shots include more. Use your screen to take a look at the shot and determine if you think it’s capturing the essence of what you’re feeling about your subject.
Work With Angles
For each recipe, you will see two or three photos of the final product on the post, but behind-the-scenes I have taken nearly 100 shots. Different angles, capturing at different heights, sometimes different lighting and places in the kitchen. It’s important to experiment with every angle. Even in a sea of 100 shots, I’ll walk away with a handful of incredible photos that I’m proud of.
Focus on Different Things
Ever look out at a view and fall in love with it? Then you want to remember that moment for the rest of your life. I’ll always capture that moment but play around with the view. If you’re capturing a sunset over the water then get down at a lower angle, place the horizon in the top third part of the image, maybe focus in on the surfer at a distance. I always end up taking multiple photos from different angles and incorporate different aspect ratios.
Take Photos Daily
I will reiterate what every photographer has told me when I asked them for photography tips for beginners and that is practice makes perfect. You don’t have to carry your camera with you everywhere, use your phone to learn to frame a shot, or if you just cleaned your room take a few photos of your room. I also love putting together a still life with fresh flowers and fruit just so I can practice. You will be amazed by how much you will progress once you have control of your camera.
My Camera Gear
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Canon 6D Body - I started with the Canon Rebel series, and I think it’s a great starter camera if you want to learn how to use a DSLR. As my skills refined, I felt like I was outgrowing my camera, and that’s when I started looking for the next step camera. This is when I bought my current camera, Canon 6D. I love that it’s a great price point for a powerful camera and it allows me to still learn and grow in my photography journey.
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50mm Lens - When I first started my blog, I used to take just photos of my food. I also had limited financial resources and wanted to make sure I took the time to learn the 50mm before committing to another camera lens as well. My 50mm lens has been my only camera lens and I don’t regret it at all. It’s small, economical, and has a fixed lens, so you don’t have to worry about fidgeting with the zoom. Another wonderful thing about the 50mm is that it sucks in a lot of natural light, so you almost never need a flash! Now that I’ve been shooting with it for several years, I know exactly how far I need to be from a subject and how much lighting I’ll need depending on the situation.
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Manfrotto Tripod - I know this isn’t a camera item exactly, but I wanted to share my Manfrotto tripod because it continues to be my best companion to help me frame a shot. The head of the tripod moves so seamlessly and it can withstand the weight of my camera! It’s also so compact and lightweight that it’s the perfect travel companion!
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iPhone 11 - I updated this year to the iPhone 11 and love the camera and camera quality. It’s the only thing I use when I take a shot for my Instagram feed. It’s always on me, so I think it’s the best camera to have.
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Adobe Lightroom - I get a lot of questions about how I edit my photos and it’s when Adobe Lightroom. I’ve created my own preset, but don’t change a whole lot. I usually shoot with a little bit more light in my shot and then bright down the highlights, remove the shadows, clarify the image, boost the contrast, and play around with the vibrance and saturation until I’m happy.
- iPhone Photo Editing Apps - Here’s an evolving list of my favorite phone editing apps and what I use each one for. Feel free to let me know if you have any favorites in the comments!
I hope my photography tips for beginners was helpful. I’m happy to answer any questions in the comments below or feel free to leave your own tips!
