Do…

Don’t…

Use Manual Mode

Learning to shoot in manual mode is very important! Once you learn this, you have so much more control of the photos that you take and this the greatest power you can have as a photographer. Once you know how to control your shutter speed, aperture and ISO, there’s so much that you can do!

Shoot In Auto Mode

Although auto mode is a great place to start when you first pick up a camera, it will not help you take the best photos every time. Auto mode doesn’t allow you to have creative control of your photos and a lot of your photos will look very similar and less professional.

Try Different Lenses

Experimenting with different lenses is a great way to figure out what your camera is capable of. If you feel like you’ve mastered the lens that your camera came with, maybe it’s time to try using a new lens! Trying out a wide angle lens or a macro lens makes everything look different and thus help you see everything with a new set of eyes! A new lens could be a great way to reset if you’re hitting a creative road block.

Try To Buy Every New Piece Of Equipment

As you become a more practiced photographer, you may feel the stress of having to purchase the latest equipment and accessories that are being released. Don’t feel like you have to spend all your money on new equipment all the time! A new lens is great, but you can always find a used model or an older model to help you have! And remember, a great photographer doesn’t need a bunch of equipment because they can capture the images they want to with what they already have on hand.

Take Advantage Of Natural Lighting

There’s nothing quite like taking photos taken under great natural light! The sun is a very important factor to consider when shooting because where it is in the sky can have a great impact on your photos. A very impactful and interesting time to take photos under natural light can be during golden hour, the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset. Photos taken during the day can also turn out wonderfully in natural light!

Be Scared Of Editing

Editing is a great tool for photographers and utilizing editing programs like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop can be a great way to add a little something extra to your shots. You don’t have to avoid editing! Learning to edit can be very important, even if all you’re doing is editing the exposure or colour balance!

Try Something New

Maybe you can try using an off camera flash? Or try booking some time to shoot in a photography studio! Step out of your comfort zone and do something different with your camera. It’ll help you be prepared for new situations and you might even discover a technique or piece of equipment that you love.

Compare Your Work To Others

It’s important to remember that everyone starts somewhere! Don’t allow yourself to become stressed by comparing your progress to others. With practice, everyone can learn and develop their photography skills!

Practice, Practice, Practice

Be sure to keep practicing! There are so many ways that you can improve your skills and learn new things when it comes to photography. Try out the techniques that you’ve learned until you master them!

Stop Learning

Seek out new things that you can learn! Photography is a skill that can always be improved upon. Continue to challenge yourself with new pieces of equipment and try out any techniques that you might be interested in.