If there’s one truth about photography that almost each and every photographer out there, pro or amateur, will agree on- its this: You can always improve your photography skills. There’s always more to learn.
Over the past five years or so, I have taken myself from a totally I-know-nothing-but-will-try-whatever-might-work approach to a different place with photography. Today I’m getting more confident with my ability, friends ask me for advice, I enjoy results, I can plan an image ahead and then execute it and I even got to publish some images and brush up against some real professionals. Now, the point of this story isn’t to feel good about myself, but to emphasize the point that the more I progress, the more I fell I’ve got to learn and improve.
So, this post is dedicated to explain a few simple methods of improving your photography skills, regardless of where you “feel” you’re at. These methods, at least for me – are proven.
Two notes:
- This list isn’t in any order of priority, they are all just as good as the other. Except maybe for the last one.
- Whenever you see “unusual” – refer that to yourself and your own comfort zone, not to anything too bizarre…OK? let’s go.
Pick the unusual topic
We all have things we like to photograph and repeat. For me its mountain biking and landscape, someone else might prefer portraits. Make a habit of avoiding your habits, and pick a topic you’ve never tried photographing before, something like I’ve shown on my musical instruments post, or pull out your camera in the local coffee shop, you might find something interesting there.
Shoot an unusual setting or location
Different places require different perspective. Forget about the topics, find a setting or a location you’ve never been in, or that requires you to think differently. I recently hitched a ride with a friend that owns an ultralight airplane- sounds great forlandscapes right? I thought so too, but being strapped in a sit without too much movement ability, and with a limited field of view, had me taking into consideration restraints I’ve never dealt before. Can’t fly? go underwater, can’t do that? try shooting from inside a moving car (not while driving!), or climb a tree. You’ll find something if you look for it.
Photograph at a different time of the day
Sunrise and Sunset have the best lighting conditions for photography, usually. Try a different time, more challenging- how about a dark night in the desert, or high noon somewhere else which makes it difficult to get that nice and easy exposure.
Go out to photograph with friends that get what you’re doing
Practice makes perfect, not just in photography. The case with photography is that those not holding a camera may quickly run out of patience waiting for you to get that perfect shot in the middle of a hike. Especially when it’s the 20th in the last couple of hours. If you’re shooting outdoors, go out with friends who have the patient or even wish to cooperate with your attempts. Some of my mountain biking friends are happy to push themselves back up the hill just to get one nice shot- perfect partners for my practice.
Photograph fast moving objects
Find things that move fast, for me it’s not a problem since I’m a fan of mountain biking. You might need to look for the right setting- go to a local competition, race course, sports venue or just the highway. When your object moves fast- you need to react fast, compose fast and set your camera correctly ASAP. This is good practice in quick adjustments and finding the right tool at the right time, and you can also practice movement related techniques such as panning.
Get in Close
Try macro photography. When you need to get really close to a small object, composition changes. Take your time, use a tripod, find easy objects like flowers and plants. Don’t challenge yourself with the object, but try to be strict and original with your composition. Really invest in each shot, and see where that gets you.
Keep it open wide
Got a nice mid range zoom lens? great. Now try not using it. Pick a scene, perhaps a nice market, and go through a whole session with the lens set on its widest (if it’s a 28-70 for instance, keep it on 28). This means that if you want an object to appear larger in your frame, you simply need to walk up to it. It’s a great exercise to think differently about camera placement and the relation between you, your object and the surroundings.
Get rid of your gear
Take my previous tip a step forward and release yourself from any technical advantage your fancy equipment gives you. Go out for a session with your simple point and shoot, those can prove themselves if you don’t depend only on gear for quality. Take that even a step further and use an old film camera or buy one of those use&develop disposable film cameras, that will take even the screen preview we’re all so used to away from you. Deal with the results in an old school fashion. One of my point and shoot cameras sent an image to a cover!
Always be ready and spontaneous
There’s never a bad moment for photography. Have your camera with you always, even if its your point & shoot backup. You never know when you can bump into an interesting situation and what you can produce and learn from it. I never expected to find a drummer circle in the middle of a quiet Dutch city, but I did, and I had the camera- and that was a lot of fun.
Read and Learn
The best way to improve is to use your camera, but don’t dismiss theory at all. It might benefit you to take a course and refresh what you already forgot, or make sure you really know how to operate the shutter, aperture and get that perfect exposure out of your camera. Today there’s also tons of material for free online, just like thearticle section here, and on numerous other resources and forums. Do some reading, its good for you.
Get inspiration from others
See what other photographers do that you like, think about the composition they chose and why, try to figure out the technique behind the picture. Getting inspired by what other photographers do is a great way to learn and push yourself. It’s up to you to find that personal twist that gives you your own signature.
Look for feedback
Feedback is important, and today is easy to obtain. There are serious and talented photographers on various forums, mega photo sites like Flickr and photo blogs just like this one here. Our photos are sometimes a bit personal, we’re attached to them and think the best of them since they usually accompany a memory from a time and place we’ve visited. Let an unbiased eye look at your photos in an objective way, and always accept their opinion- later you can decide what to implement, and what not.
Learn to criticize your own work
OK, here’s the tough one. As mentioned before, there’s a lot more into a photo you took than a photo you just look at. We remember what caught our eye, what was the scene and that something pulled us to take out the camera and compose a frame. It’s hard to later judge our own work, but very important to do so. Look back at pictures you took a year ago, or two, or five… See where you improved over time, and try to recognize it now. Try to build an objective method to look at your own photos, and understand what can be better about them. Get yourself to delete the ones you don’t think are very good- if you manage to do that, you’re on the right way.
