Photography to get started with

Starting with Photography

Starting with photography is a big journey for many. It was the same for me. I taught myself everything at first, and then I felt it was necessary to take a course in photography. But like everyone else, I started somewhere. I was 21 years old and had been taking photos since I was 18.

I realized I loved it so much that I wanted to make a career out of it... and so it happened.

You are your own greatest teacher, and that's something I came to understand. You make your own mistakes, and the compliments and good things you do are your own doing!

First, I want to give you some big tips:

• Always shoot in RAW: You can set this on your camera, and it allows you to edit your photos in both Lightroom and Photoshop.

• I always shoot in Manual mode, but don't feel like it's a must. Personally, I enjoy having full control over the settings! However, it's good to start with this mode to learn how the exposure triangle works together.

• Always keep the original RAW files of the photos you've edited. That way, if you want to change something later or if you're selling your photos and the client wants the image a little lighter, you can adjust it.

• Work with two memory cards, using the second card as a backup. I've made the mistake of using just one card, and every photographer’s nightmare came true... when that card crashes, you lose your files. You can sometimes get the card recovered by companies, but it’s never a 100% guarantee.

• Practice is my biggest tip, and there are plenty of books, podcasts, and YouTube channels to help you learn more about photography.

  
  

Can anyone become a photographer?

No, I don't think so... not everyone will have the "feeling" for it. Photography isn't just about taking beautiful pictures and working with light. You're also involved in conversations, writing texts, self-discipline, maintaining contacts, and advertising. It’s not something that comes easily just because you think you’ve taken one good photo.

However, you can definitely grow as a photographer as you start to land some paid or unpaid assignments!

If you're a beginner photographer, here are some tips:

• Learn the exposure triangle and experiment with it (Aperture, ISO, Shutter Speed).

• Start with unpaid assignments and see it as practice.

• Learn to learn from your mistakes, try things out, and if it’s not what you hoped for, keep doing it until it works. Write down what worked so you can keep learning.

• Pay attention to light, you can do this with a simple trick: hold your hand up and notice when the light hits it beautifully.

• A super expensive camera doesn't necessarily make the best photos, it’s the photographer who is creative. Many photographers have become big with older (analog) or cheaper cameras!

• Give yourself time. (Almost) no one started their business overnight and could live off of it right away.

• Take your camera everywhere and keep looking for beautiful moments or nature.

• Pinterest and Instagram are great platforms to explore the photography style that speaks to you! For example, go to Pinterest and create a board with ideas you’d like to try in your photography. You can bundle all your ideas and tips there, so you can start new and exciting projects!

• Make a word map: In the middle, write the problem you’re facing or the shoot you want to do, and what relates to it, etc. This will make everything more organized and help you figure out what you want or where things might go wrong.

  
  

So... let’s get started!

• Open your Pinterest/Instagram (or if you don't have one, you can still browse Pinterest without logging in) and collect photos that inspire you.

• Look at these photos in relation to each other and make it realistic: can it be done in your area?

• Grab your paper and write in the middle of the circle what you want from your photo. For example, it could be: Light, tree, nature, or a sentence like: "I want to work with light on the walls of a house" or "I want to take a portrait with natural light and learn where the light falls on the face."

  
  

Now, based on the word/sentence in the middle of the circle, draw lines and write everything that comes to mind. (Location, dark/light, nature, house, sunlight, lamp, flash, etc.)

This will make things feel more realistic, and you’ll already have an idea of what challenges you might face before even starting! You're preparing yourself. I also often use a highlighter for the most important points.

Okay, we’re well-prepared and ready to go to the location we want.

Don’t forget to take pen and paper with you!

Grab your camera, make mistakes, learn from them, and if you get one really good photo that practically came out great right from your camera... take a look at the settings you used. You can and should always adjust and change them!

Don’t spend hours on end—it should stay fun! After we’ve taken some photos, we can upload them to the computer.

I mostly edit my photos in Lightroom. You can buy presets for this, and I also have a link to my own presets that I’ve created and sell!

TIP: If you don't know where to start with Manual mode (setting everything yourself), you can start with "P" mode. Look closely at the settings your camera uses, write them down, and try to replicate them. Play around with the settings. This way, you'll slowly learn how everything works in the exposure triangle!

And remember, it doesn't have to be a huge assignment where you have to go to a location. You can start with light indoors and a small object.

Look at the photo below, where you can see that this was taken inside without spending a lot of time on it!

It’s really about practice and learning from yourself.

Good luck!!