Photography is an art form that can be both inspiring and intimidating when you're just starting. If I were to begin learning photography from scratch today, here's how I would approach it to build a strong foundation and avoid common pitfalls.
Dive deeper by reading my book: “Throw Away Your Camera and Become a Photographer”
How Would I Learn Photography if I Started Today?
Watch my film:
1. Start with the Basics: Know Your Camera
First, I’d familiarize myself with the camera. You don't need to start with the most expensive equipment. Whether it's a DSLR, mirrorless, or even a smartphone camera, what matters is learning how it works. Here’s what I would focus on:
Camera settings: Understanding the basics of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture is crucial, as these elements form the exposure triangle.
Manual mode: Instead of relying on auto mode, I’d jump right into manual settings. This forces you to make decisions about light, depth of field, and motion blur, speeding up your learning process.
Hands-on practice is essential. Take photos every day, adjust settings, and note the results. You'll learn faster through trial and error. Find the right camera to start in this article.
2. Learn Composition: Make Your Photos Stand Out
Once you're comfortable with your camera, focus on composition. Even with the perfect exposure, a poorly composed image can fall flat. Some essential techniques are:
Rule of thirds: Imagine dividing your frame into nine equal parts. Placing the subject at one of the intersecting points will create a more balanced and interesting shot.
Leading lines: Use lines within the frame, like roads or rivers, to draw the viewer’s eye toward the main subject.
Framing: Use objects in the scene to create a natural frame around your subject, adding depth to the image.
I would spend a lot of time practising different compositions, taking note of how slight changes in angles or framing can impact the mood of a photo.
3. Prioritize Light Over Everything
The most critical element in any photo is light. If I could go back, I would focus all my energy on understanding light in its various forms—natural, artificial, and reflected.
Mastering natural light, especially, is a cornerstone of photography. Learn how to use the golden hour, how shadows create mood, and how light can turn an ordinary subject into something extraordinary. Once you have a solid grasp of natural light, artificial lighting setups like flash or continuous lights can come into play.
My approach: Spend time shooting in various lighting conditions—overcast days, harsh sunlight, indoor dim lighting, etc. Then evaluate how each situation impacts your photos.
4. Embrace Practice and Patience
The most critical part of learning photography is practice. Photography is a craft, and like any craft, it takes time to hone your skills. I’d shoot every day, even if it’s just a few frames, and regularly analyze my work. Some tips for practising include:
Shoot in different environments: Practice in various settings like indoor, outdoor, low-light, and high-contrast conditions.
Experiment with genres: Try portraiture, street photography, landscapes, and macro photography. Each will challenge you in different ways.
Review and improve: Consistently review your photos, noting what you like and what could improve. Over time, you’ll develop a critical eye.
5. Build a Strong Online Presence
In today’s digital world, having an online presence as a photographer is non-negotiable. If I were starting again, I would build an Instagram or portfolio site on Squarespace or Wix early on. This doesn’t just showcase your work but also serves as a space to get feedback and connect with other photographers.
A key to building a strong online portfolio is not just to upload every image you take, but to curate. Present only your best work and make sure it tells a coherent story about who you are as a photographer. Update regularly, interact with your followers, and use hashtags wisely to get your work seen by more people.
My approach: Build a clean and focused portfolio showcasing only your best work. Leverage Instagram as a micro-portfolio to share behind-the-scenes shots, stories, and interact with the photography community.
6. Be Open to Critique
One of the most challenging yet necessary parts of growing as a photographer is learning how to accept critique. Photography is subjective, and it can feel personal, but constructive feedback is your best ally.
Online photography forums, critique groups, or even Instagram comments can provide feedback that helps you improve. If I were starting again, I’d be more open to this process early on, and seek out photographers whose work I admire to get their opinion.
7. Learn Post-Processing: Develop Your Style
Photography doesn’t end when you press the shutter. Post-processing is where you can enhance your images and define your style. Tools like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One allow you to:
Adjust exposure: Fine-tune the brightness, shadows, and highlights to get the perfect balance.
Correct colours: Modify the colour balance or even convert your images to black and white.
While editing can elevate a good photo to great, I’d be careful not to overdo it. Natural edits that enhance the core elements of the image are always more impactful than excessive retouching.
You can check my course on Adobe Lightroom here.
8. Take Advantage of Online Resources
In 2024, learning photography has never been easier. There’s a wealth of online resources, from YouTube tutorials and online courses to forums where you can get feedback. Platforms like Skillshare and Masterclass offer beginner courses that walk you through the essentials.
When I started, resources like these were scattered or required significant effort to find. Today, the problem is information overload, so curating the best courses for your needs is essential.
My approach: Identify 2-3 trusted learning resources and commit to completing them. Rather than passively consuming content, I would actively take notes and apply what I learned in each session by going out and shooting right away. You may also want to read a copy of my book 'Throw Away Your Camera and Become a Photographer'.
9. Create a Project Around a Theme
When you're just starting, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the genres of photography. A valuable strategy would be to pick a theme or a project that you're passionate about and work on it over time.
I would choose a theme—be it street photography, landscapes, or portraits—and make that my focus for 6 months. Working within the boundaries of a theme pushes you to dive deeper and refine your style. Moreover, projects give your photography structure and purpose, which can help prevent you from feeling lost.
My approach: Create a personal project, perhaps focusing on documenting a local cultural aspect or an ongoing environmental theme. Use it as a platform to experiment and develop consistency in your work.
10. Learn to “See” Before You Shoot
Photography is not just about clicking a button. It’s about seeing.
One of the most significant mistakes beginners make is rushing to shoot without learning how to observe first. Developing your "photographic eye" is crucial, and it starts by studying scenes around you and visualizing how they could be composed into an image. I would spend more time observing light, framing, and how objects interact with each other within a space. Training yourself to observe is the foundation of composition, which will elevate your work from snapshots to deliberate images.
My approach: Set aside specific times to walk around without a camera and visualize scenes, observing how the light falls, how shadows play, and how subjects can be framed. It’s about learning how to see the world differently.
See Many Great Photographs
One of the best ways to develop a strong photographic eye is by regularly studying the work of great photographers. By observing how they use composition, light, and subject matter, you gain insights into techniques that you can apply in your own work. Whether it’s the street photography of Henri Cartier-Bresson or the high-contrast images of Josef Koudelka, seeing how accomplished photographers tell stories through their images will help you refine your visual language. Immersing yourself in excellent photography expands your creative vocabulary, teaches you the subtleties of framing and emotion, and inspires you to push your boundaries. It’s essential to expose yourself to a variety of styles to not only find your own voice but also to understand what makes a photograph truly captivating.
See the list I put together of my favourite photography books here.
12. Don't Be Afraid to Experiment
Finally, I’d give myself the freedom to experiment. Photography is an art form, and the more I experiment, the more creative I’ll become. I’d try different genres, use unusual angles, and break the traditional rules of composition from time to time. This will keep the learning process exciting and help me find my style.
Conclusion
If I were to learn photography from scratch today, I’d focus on mastering the basics, prioritizing practice, and leveraging modern tools and communities. While the landscape of photography is constantly evolving, the core principles remain the same: see the world differently, understand light, and never stop shooting. With the resources available today, starting fresh in 2024 puts you in an advantageous position to excel quickly.
By following these steps, not only will you accelerate your learning, but you'll also avoid the common pitfalls that many beginners face. Photography is a journey, and it's one worth taking with intention and curiosity.
Love xx
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