We all struggle with photography, admit it! Not every image is what we would like, a lot of it is junk that needs to be deleted; this is the lot of every photographer. There are a few ideas I can give you that are simple, yet effective. I have used them and they work, but you must make an effort; without effort, nothing is worthwhile…
- Learn your camera, read the manual. It isn’t necessary to learn everything about the camera; I only select the options that work for me and my type of photography: landscape. But what I do know is that, in the dark, I know where every button is and what it does…
- Practice: give yourself projects, even if it is for only a week. Shoot something that appeals to you for 7 days, every day, in different places, light, etc..if you are daring, try this for a month…if you are determined, try what I did: a 365 day project. I am still recovering from PTSD associated with shooting every day for a year…let this be a warning to you.
- Take a class online or at a local college and learn something new about photography..there are Desktop Publishing (Photoshop) classes at CCRI; also, digital photography classes. When I began using a DSLR, I took classes because my images left much to be desired.
- Try a different lens. Don’t use the lens you regularly use, change it up for a new perspective. If you have a point and shoot or smart phone, use it…when I am driving and see something of interest, I stop and photograph it.
This image was taken out of my car window in Hopkinton, RI with a point and shoot when I had just loaded a truck of hay and was extremely tired and crabby. - Use A (auto) on your DSLR when necessary…who cares what people think..don’t tell them. I was in a cathedral in Scotland, where the ceiling was very dark, the place was crowded, there wasn’t a lot of time, so I put it on A and got a great shot of the ceiling.
- Look at photographs by photographers you admire; look at art by great painters…what is it about their images that speaks to you? Emulate them as a starting point for your own creativity.
- Download some plugins and play with them: Topaz, Nik, or Tiffen.
- Stop worrying about the Rule of Thirds! Shoot with graphic elements in mind…diagonals, curves, leading lines.
- Don’t worry about the club competitions…if you shoot only for competition and worry about what a judge would like, you are lost. Ask members of the club whose work you admire to review some images and give insight on what might improve them. Take advantage of critique nights to bring images.
- Take a workshop with a photographer whose work you admire…not just anyone who happens to do workshops. And remember, a good workshop leader will give you input and help improve your photography. Go with the best you can afford, even if only for a few days-a few days with a top notch leader trumps two weeks with someone who isn’t knowledgeable.
GREAT TIPS!
Love the idea of shooting similar subjects over a period of time in order to see how different results can be obtained.
Everyone that takes their photography seriously will agree with all these tips. I had a college professor tell the class to shot some thing everyday, always try something new, set up projects for yourself, look at a lot of photographs (good and bad), look at your own photos, if you haven’t looked at a photo in over a year – delete it, and never be satisfied, you can always be better. I was recently involved in a show entitled “Art is Work” As a photographer isn’t that the truth!
Thanks, Marion…. Great tips !! I love the shot of the three silos……..