10 First Good Common Practices as a New Photographer
We'll be discussing some good common practices that every beginner should follow while using their cameras. These practices will help you improve your photography skills and take better care of your equipment. Let's begin, shall we?
Read the Manual: Start by thoroughly reading the camera manual. It may seem tedious, but understanding your camera's features, settings, and capabilities is essential. This knowledge will empower you to make the most of your equipment and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. The more you come across certain terms, consider referring to them in the manual, or even google. The best camera is the one you MASTER!
Carry Your Camera Everywhere: The best way to improve your photography skills is to practice regularly. Carry your camera with you wherever you go, as you never know when you'll encounter a great photo opportunity. By keeping your camera accessible, you'll be ready to capture those special moments. Depending on the areas you carry it around, consider carrying your camera in the open to be able to quickly capture moments without being hindered by bag zippers and lens caps.
Keep Your Gear Clean: Regularly clean your camera body, lenses, and accessories to ensure optimal performance. Use a blower to remove dust and debris, and a microfiber cloth with lens cleaning solution for smudges and fingerprints. A clean camera ensures sharp and spotless images. Keep up with this especially after using this in sketchy weather or environments like rain, drizzle, or at places like the beach or desert.
Use Lens Caps and Filters: Protect your lenses by using lens caps when they are not in use in your bag. Lens caps prevent scratches and dust accumulation. Additionally, consider using filters, like UV filters, to add an extra layer of protection and reduce the risk of damaging your lens. I’ve saved my ($500 worth) lens from using an additional filter.
Use a Tripod for Stability: A tripod provides stability and prevents camera shake, especially in low-light situations or when shooting long exposures. Invest in a lightweight yet sturdy tripod that suits your camera's weight and height requirements. It will significantly improve the sharpness of your images. It may not be needed for every situation, but when you do need it, it comes in clutch!
Practice Proper Holding Techniques: Hold your camera properly to minimize camera shake. Use both hands, with one hand gripping the camera body and the other supporting the lens. Keep your elbows close to your body and stand with a stable posture to maintain a steady shot. Keep this in mind when shooting with lower shutter speeds of of 1/250 as your images become more susceptible to unwanted motion blur.
Back Up Your Photos: Always back up your photos to avoid losing precious memories. Regularly transfer your images to a computer, external hard drive, or cloud storage. Having multiple copies of your photos ensures their safety, even if something happens to your camera or memory card. I keep a copy on my external hard drive and the cloud. You may consider getting two external hard drives if you don’t have much storage on your computer (especially if it’s a Mac).
Experiment with Different Settings: Don't be afraid to explore different camera settings and shooting modes. Experiment with aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to understand how they affect your photos. Use different focus modes, metering modes, and white balance settings to achieve the desired results. Also it helps to learn what DOESN’T work.
Learn from Other Photographers: Join photography communities, follow photography blogs, and seek inspiration from other photographers starting with their Instagram account. Learning from experienced photographers and observing their work will expand your knowledge and help you develop your own unique style.
Practice Patience and Perseverance: Photography is a journey that requires patience and perseverance. Don't get discouraged if your photos don't turn out as expected. Learn from your mistakes, keep practicing, and embrace the learning process. With time and dedication, you'll see improvement in your skills.
By following these good common practices, you'll be well on your way to becoming a confident and skilled photographer. Remember, photography is about capturing moments and expressing your creativity, so enjoy the process and have fun!
Till then, keep shooting for the life that matters!
