New to photography? Knowing the basics can go a long way toward enjoying photography as you develop your skills.
Take photos daily
This is perhaps the best advice you can get. You don’t get better at anything by just reading books and listening to advice. You get better by going out there and using your camera. If you are getting used to the bulk and the technicality associated with using a DSLR, a few days of regular use is all it takes to get yourself accustomed to using a camera like it’s an extension of your hand. Photographing regularly also helps you zero in on the kind of things you want to capture. You will find that the more pictures you take, the pickier you get about the subjects that interest you. This is very important because knowing what image you want to capture can help you choose what camera gear works best for you.
Find the light
Photography is a hobby that requires knowing which settings provide the best background for a good photo. Finding the right light, in a studio or outdoors, can take time. It means waiting for the best time during the day, knowing what times the sun shines its harshest so you can avoid glare and bad shadows, or making use of basic tools like reflectors to bounce back light and manipulate lighting and shadows to get better photos.
Use one lens
If you want to see a drastic improvement in your photography skills after one week, try sticking to one lens. Most amateur photographers make the mistake of lugging around two to three lenses when they shoot, not realizing that they often end up using just one for most of their photos. Switching from one lens to another can be distracting while you are still learning how your camera works as it can keep you from learning the basics. Sticking to one lens allows you to get used to working the camera with that lens, so you can familiarize yourself with how to use that lens to get the results you want. Photographing with one lens at a time also gives you enough opportunities to know if it is the kind of lens you want to shoot. If not, you can move onto the next lens to see if it can give you different images you enjoy capturing.
It is important to know what you need to focus on if you want to see an improvement in your photography skills. Doing this can help you reach that point when you become good enough that you can start taking more risks in how and what you shoot as you begin to develop your own style.
About Isa Battaglin and LillyK Photography: Whether she is capturing the faces of children or adults, Mrs. Isa Battaglin uses her camera to echo their spirit for others to see. She is a master of taking headshots in natural light and her artistry in editing beam through her photographs in her clients’ eyes. While her home base is at LillyK Photography in Los Angeles, Isa travels the world taking headshots and fashion photography.
LillyK Photography 