Become a better photographer faster: 10 things every new photographer should hear

 

 

There are a lot of excellent resources for those who are new to photography or for experienced photographers who want to pick up an additional skill, but Digital Photography School's Stacey Hill says that there are "10 Things Nobody Tells Photography Newbies."

When you're trying to sell someone on something, such as a tutorial or class to help improve their photography, it's typical for educators to leave out the part about photography being difficult. There are technical things you have to learn, such as how to actually operate modern cameras, but there are artistic things as well (composition, lighting and much more). That's a lot to learn, and it's rarely straightforward. Stacey puts it well when she writes, "Dropping $3,500 on a fancy new DSLR and lens doesn't make you a capable photographer any more than buying a set of chef knives makes you a Michelin-starred chef."

Speaking of money, photography can be very expensive. It isn't just the camera and lenses that cost a lot; the other necessities such as memory cards, a tripod, a camera bag and more add up quickly too. Be sure to check out our site to help find the best prices on the gear you're interested in, and to stay alert to any of the awesome deals we come across.

 

Putting down nearly $50,000 for the Phase One XF 100MP won't make you a better photographer. But trying to create great images with your cell phone might not work out too well either.

It isn't so much that no one tells you whether or not gear matters that's the issue. It's more that you can easily find conflicting information about the importance of equipment in photography. Some people insist that it doesn't matter, and that you just need something basic. Your skills as a photographer take care of the rest, they suggest. Others say that it definitely matters -- perhaps a lot -- just what type of equipment you use. The truth most likely lies somewhere in the middle, and it absolutely depends on the types of photos you want to capture. You're unlikely to get great wildlife or sports images with a cell phone, for example, but having the most expensive gear won't help you capture great images if you don't know how to best take advantage of them.

To see Stacey Hill's list of 10 things nobody tells new photographers, view the article here. Readers, are there any lessons that you had to learn the hard way, and that you wish someone had told you before you started learning photography?

(Seen via Digital Photography School)