#4650642 - 04/07/10 07:28 AM
7 things you can do if you REALLY want to be a better photog
|
mrbeefhead
mrbeefhead
Unregistered
|
Good read, copy&pasted from here: http://photofocus.com/2010/04/07/seven-t...r-photographer/
I assume you’re reading this because you have a sincere interest in photography. I also assume you want to get better.
Recently, a fellow I know asked me a simple question. “As a newbie, what are the things I can do right now to get better at photography?”
Rather than answer him directly, I thought I’d share my answer here where everyone can see it. So here are seven things you can do if you REALLY want to become a better photographer. NOTE: There are other things you can do too – these are just the seven that pop into my head right now.
1 – Always have a camera in your hand or your pocket or your purse or your car or all of the above. Always. No exceptions.
2 – Read your manual – please. 90% of the camera questions I receive on Photofocus can be answered by reading a camera manual. In fact, when I am asked questions about cameras I don’t own, I simply go download a PDF of the manual, search for and read the answer. You can do that too 
3 – Photograph SOMETHING every single day. No exceptions. No excuses. Photograph as much as you can every single day. Don’t just take a snapshot, make a picture. Think about what you’re doing. Focus. Pun intended.
4 – Look at LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of photographs every day. Look at published photographs in books, magazines, on billboards, in advertisements and on the web. Ask yourself – “Why did they light it like that?” or “Why did she put the subject on that side of the photo?” or “What made the editor select this shot over another?” Asking serious questions of yourself about the photos you look at will make you think.
5 – Experiment. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Try different angles. Shoot during different times of day. Get outside your comfort zone.
6 – Read. Read something about photography every single day – no excuses. Take five, 10 or even 15 minutes and study the articles found on this site and others. Buy a book by Scott Kelby. Go to the library and ask for photography books. Read, study, learn, apply.
7 – Share. Show your work to others. Ask them how it stacks up to the work they see in newspapers, books and magazines. Be willing to experience some criticism and see if you can use that information to get better.
There’s no magic camera that “takes good pictures.” Photographers do that. The camera just waits to be told what to do. Try practicing these seven steps regularly and you’ll become a better boss of your camera.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#4650682 - 04/07/10 07:57 AM
Re: 7 things you can do if you REALLY want to be a better photog
[Re: 2000SiRacer]
|
mrbeefhead
mrbeefhead
Unregistered
|
Good list.
I absolutely struggle with #1 and #3. My only camera is a big, heavy DSLR and I don't really enjoy shooting with smaller, more automated cameras (although maybe with my interest post processing a RAW shooting P&S might be fun).
I've been toying with the idea of getting a G11 for that purpose...
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#4650778 - 04/07/10 08:40 AM
Re: 7 things you can do if you REALLY want to be a better photog
[Re: ]
|
Lafora
Post Master Sr
Registered: 12/16/01
Posts: 4623
|
1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 is huge.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#4651219 - 04/07/10 11:37 AM
Re: 7 things you can do if you REALLY want to be a better photog
[Re: ]
|
jsmonet
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 11/13/99
Posts: 155761
Loc: So. Cali
|
Good list.
I absolutely struggle with #1 and #3. My only camera is a big, heavy DSLR and I don't really enjoy shooting with smaller, more automated cameras (although maybe with my interest post processing a RAW shooting P&S might be fun). I've been toying with the idea of getting a G11 for that purpose...
that or the panny lx3. I played with a g10 and it was the ONLY thing that AF'd fast enough for me to not lose my damn mind.
I can see why people love rangefinders.
4's been bugging me lately. I've had multi-hour convos with a couple friends regarding what dignifies or elevates art beyond the whimsy of the masses. There's pop culture popularity, but then there's also another order that seems to outlast simple trends.
working on 3 (shoot more), hence my post in OT. that really is the hardest part about having, and enjoying shooting big so much. it seems like a case of "harden the fuck up" though.
5 (experiment): working on it... almost too much of that sometimes. that said, it's difficult to get past the mistakes to putting them up for criticism (7).
working on it, though
_________________________
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#4651968 - 04/07/10 03:09 PM
Re: 7 things you can do if you REALLY want to be a better ph
[Re: x]
|
scootergeek
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 07/24/00
Posts: 46248
Loc: East of St. Louis
|
I'm not really sure I agree with #4; maybe for a greater appreciation of the art, but I have a feeling I'd subconsciously start adopting the creative style of others if I look at *too* much stuff.
Not really likely, and especially not if you look at the work of more than one photographer.
cheers,
scott
_________________________
Still pissy after all these years...
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: jsmonet, x, 2000SiRacer, The Mad Paki
|
|
