Guest post by John Bell
Title: 4 Tips For Beginner Photographers
Photography is a very popular personal hobby, and it is also a form of art that allows for a great deal of personal expression. This means that it is quite common for amateur photographers to turn into talented artists merely through extensive practice and experience. However, that doesn’t mean that no guidance is needed as you start off with your own photography efforts. In fact, despite the activity’s capacity for individual improvement and self-teaching, photography has become increasingly complex in recent years, thanks to the ways in which technology have changed photo taking, editing, saving and sharing. With that in mind, here are four general tips for beginner photographers that can help with efforts to take it slow and develop natural talent over time.
1. Start With An Older Camera
If you have access to an older camera, don’t dismiss it simply because it isn’t digital, or doesn’t have the latest features. What’s important when you’re just starting out is developing a feel for capturing the images that stand out most to you, and this can be done with any camera. You can worry about photo quality, digital capability, and editing later on. In fact, if you can even get by for a while by picking up a photo scanner from My Smart Buy, which can convert your negatives and slides to digital form without an actual digital camera.
2. Rely On Instinct
Instead of focusing too narrowly on an individual effort or tip to enhance your photography skill, rely instead on instinct as you start out. Carry your camera with you at all times so that you can capture any image that strikes you as particularly significant or visually appealing. Specific goals can hold you back in the early going – instead, just take pictures whenever it feels natural, and before you know it you will be developing personal style and preferences.
3. Use A Tripod
While loading up on too much equipment right off the bat can be a bit unnecessary, a tripod is often worth the investment. If you take a high volume of pictures, you will doubtlessly become frustrated at some point with instability. A tripod can be collapsible and portable, and at least gives you the option of capturing perfectly stable images when you want to.
4. Assign Yourself Projects
Once you develop a bit of personal style, you can try to hone your skills by inventing personal projects. This is where a great deal of creativity can come into play. For some, it might be productive and fun to see how many different animals can be photographed in a day. Others might try to tell the story of their days through photograph. Whatever appeals to you, setting and accomplishing goals and projects can help you to hone your developing skills.
This is a guest post by freelance writer John Bell. John contributes post on a variety of topics related to self expression and the arts.