10 Ways to Become a Better Photographer

10 Ways to Become a Better Photographer

By Tony DeGroot

When I first started getting serious about photography back in 1995, I knew very little about photography. As I got in to it, I soon realized just how much I didn’t know. Although I recognize that I am far from being any kind of expert, I do realize that I have learnt a lot in the past years. Here is a list of ways to that helped me become a better photographer without spending a huge amount of money.

1. Join a local camera club… Or two.

Local camera clubs are a great way to enhance your photography skills. It’s a great place to meet amateur and professional photographers. The clubs members are eager to share their experiences, knowledge and trials & tribulations. Other club highlights usually include:

- Seminars for members and guests.

- Show and Tell.

- Slide and photo critique.

- Competitions, inside and outside of the club.

- Outings to various places of photographic interest.

2. Join the local library.

Libraries are a wealth of free information and usually have a large selection of photography related books, whether it’s darkroom, digital, how to, portraiture, landscape, nature, still life, or portfolios of the greats, just to name a few topics. Other books could include ones on parks, hiking trails, canoe routes, travel, computer related (digital photography, etc). You can also get books on nature to help identify and learn about your nature subjects. Don’t forget the books of the painters and artists. Studying their work will enhance your skills in composition and much more

3. Surf the Net.

Wow. There are some amazing personal websites out there. But there’s much more. There are dozen of discussion groups available. You can find access to information on manufacturer’s supplies and equipment as well as third party reviews. There are websites that have photo hints (your looking at one now) and educational articles. There are sites on travel information. I could go on and on.

4. Take local courses and seminars.

Many local schools and/or colleges have photography night courses. Local clubs offer seminars or have access to information on professional photographer’s seminars in your area. You’d be surprised how economical some (not all) can be. Especially ones that are sponsored by photo companies.

5. Get the essential equipment, not the most expensive.

Don’t be fooled by the idea that, the more expensive your equipment, the better your photography will be. Beyond the camera, the essential equipment you should have includes:

- Tripod. If you can’t afford an expensive right now, look for a cheap used one. Although a sturdy one would be desired, a cheap one is better than none.

- Polarizing filters make a world of difference. Put one on your landscape lens and leave it there. You can always take it off when necessary.

- A $10 Cable release practically eliminates camera shake when used in conjunction with a tripod.

6. Learn about your subjects before and after you shoot them.

If you shoot nature, why not research you subjects and learn about them. By researching wildlife, you can predict the best times and locations to find the different species. Learn when certain wildflowers are in bloom or when to expect certain butterflies to be abundant. Putting you subject in their habitat enhances your photo. If you don’t know what kind of insect you photographed, find out. Not only will it get you better results, it also adds to the whole adventure.

If you like photographing sports, learn about the sport and venue will get you better pictures.

Before you go out and travel, research your destination for hot spots and areas of photographic opportunities. Check things like weather forecast (however, don’t trust them completely), moon phase, sunrise and sunset times, etc.

7. Take notes while you photograph.

This is a tough one to remember in the heat of the moment. Keeping track is the best way to learn what works and what mistakes you’ve made. If you're shooting film, you can’t expect to remember what you did a week or more later. The beauty of digital photography is that much of the technical information is recorded with image.

8. Give yourself an assignment.

Try assignments in areas you’ve never tried before. Get a bouquet of flowers and shoot it in a variety of different ways and lighting conditions. Pick a subject and photograph it different lenses; wide angle, normal, telephoto, close up or try various techniques like selected focusing, different depths of fields or unusual angles of view. Photograph a field or a local park during different times of the year. Play with multiple exposures and slide sandwiching (check the article: The Orton Technique). The possibilities are endless.

9. Develop and print your own pictures black and white.

This may not be feasible for everyone, but the knowledge you can gain from using a darkroom is invaluable. Even though I find it very difficult and challenging, I love shooting in black and white.

10. Get out and shoot.

Get out there. Hike, walk, travel, canoe, whatever it takes. Bring your camera with you whenever it’s feasible. (Don’t leave it in a hot or cold car for extended periods). Practice will make you a better photographer. You pictures today will be better then yesterdays and tomorrows will be better yet.

This doesn’t mean go out and shoot like crazy. The person who said shoot lots of film because film is cheap is either a professional getting paid to shoot or a person who sells film. Good film is not cheap so, make every picture count. My motto is “ I don’t take snapshots”. Instead of bracketing, learn your exposure of your camera. If you always bracket you won’t learn. Nevertheless, bracketing is a valuable tool when necessary.

Return to Hints List

Return to Index

Email > advphoto@tonydegroot.com