After a while of taking photos non-stop, you’ll realize that most of the advice about phone photography is just cliche. If you’re tired of generic tips that never work, here are some that have quietly transformed the way you take photos.
1. You can't do your own research to "develop your style"
New photographers often spend hours on YouTube watching videos about finding their photography style. Even though they’ve started taking photos, many still have no idea what they really want their images to look like.
You basically hear the same formulaic advice over and over again. This is fine if it helps you improve, but unfortunately it often doesn't. So you have to take matters into your own hands.
2. Don't box yourself into one genre
Many photographers will tell you to stick to just one genre or style, but that’s simply not true – especially if you’re passionate about photography. No matter what creative pursuit you pursue, you’ll only stick with it for the long haul if you truly enjoy what you’re doing.
It's much better if you take pictures of whatever you want; it doesn't matter if they're in different genres.
As you take more photos, you'll see common themes - especially if you shoot things you like.
3. Be more selective with your photos as you progress
Many people tend to post everything they shoot in the early days. Without a reference point, they feel their photos look better than they actually are. But as they gain more experience, the frequency of sharing photos decreases.
By being more selective with the images you share, you'll also be more selective with what you capture in the first place.
4. You won't like most of your photos, and that's okay
When you look at other photographers’ work, you don’t initially realize that you’re looking at the best work they’ve chosen to share with the world. Instead, you wonder why you don’t like most of your own photos. Plus, you feel frustrated because you feel like there’s an unbridgeable gap between you and them.
The purpose of photography is to have fun and express your artistic personality; not every photo is going to be an all-time masterpiece and that's okay.
5. Don't ignore any lighting conditions!
Many photographers on YouTube and Reddit have said that you should only take photos at certain times of the day. For example, Golden Hour is an all-time classic time to take photos. In general, soft lighting is also one of the best aesthetic elements for smartphone photography .
6. Equipment is only important after a certain point
The amount of marketing messages you have to navigate as a photographer is ridiculous. Every smartphone company claims their camera is the best ever, while camera manufacturers are, of course, trying to sell their products. This can lead to decision paralysis and indecision if you’re not careful.
If you want to be a professional, equipment is important. But for photography as a hobby, you don't need to worry too much about this. It's better to just go out and take pictures.
7. Photo editing is not cheating
Many purists think that photo editing is cheating, and they have believed this for a long time. However, the truth is that even the best cameras don't always capture a scene exactly as you see it. Editing your photos is often necessary to form your own perception.
8. Always back up your favorite photos
Many people underestimate the importance of backing up their favorite photos until they drop their old external hard drive one day. In an instant, they’ve lost a bunch of photos – including some from recent trips that they haven’t edited yet. It’s incredibly frustrating, and it really underscores the importance of backing up everything.
9. Taking a break is a good idea
Many people love taking photos and do it without being told. But at the same time, they need a break sometimes. After taking photos every day for a year, you definitely need some time to decompress and come up with new ideas.
10. Adjust device default settings as needed
The default settings on your camera are usually fine to start with, but you can tweak them if you decide to get more serious. Simple adjustments, like turning on the camera grid, can make a big difference. This tip applies to both full-frame and DSLR cameras.
11. Consider using a camera app
While smartphone cameras are more than adequate for everyday photography, they do have their limitations. However, the good thing about using phones is that many creative developers have created apps that extend their capabilities.
Photography is an interesting journey and you will learn a lot from taking photos regularly. Taking a photo every day for a year will improve your skills significantly and everyone should do this. Besides learning more about photography, it is a great way to speed up the process of finding your style.
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