For the aspiring photographers...
This one is for you guys, all the beginner/aspiring photographers.
Do it. (haha) Make the leap. I was once in your position. Nervous or scared to jump into the photography industry. I'm so glad I did and you will be too, but I definitely want to give you some advice. Some things I wish I knew when I first started out.
- Practice. Practice, practice, practice. Take photos of anything and everything until you feel comfortable with your gear.
- Manual Mode. Start in manual mode. It seems intimidating, I know but trust me its a game changer. It's all about Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO. Some call it the exposure triangle. You can watch YouTube videos, read blogs or books about the exposure triangle. My personal favorite is hands on learning. Which takes me back to step one (:
- Styles. You don't have to have one set "style." It may take you a while to find your style or niche and that's ok! It takes some people years to figure it out and that's ok as well! As long as you love what you're doing, don't stress about it. Find what makes you excited about photography.
- Patience. This one is important. Don't compare yourself to others! I still struggle with this from time to time, but don't do it! Trust me. Photographers "imposter syndrome" sucks! For example, don't beat yourself up over other photographers having larger followings or bolder images. You'll get there! It just takes time and lots of practice. Trail and error.
- Education. Invest in yourself/education. There is always room for improvement! Don't be afraid to find a mentor or even ask local photographers for advice. There are lots of blogs and tutorials to help get you started. Courses and workshops will also help grow you further.
- Gear. You don't need the most expensive camera to start out. Its all about how you use your gear and make the final touches while editing.
Cheat sheet
Exposure Triangle
- Aperture - Also known as "F-Stop." The opening of a lens where light passes. A large aperture (wide opening) will pass a lot of light, meaning brighter images. A small aperture (smaller opening) will do the opposite, making your image darker.
- Shutter Speed - A faster shutter speed creates a shorter exposure, the amount of light a camera takes in. A slow shutter speed creates a longer exposure. Faster shutter speed = sharp, less light. Slower shutter speed = more light, blurry.
- ISO - Sensitivity to light. A lower ISO means less sensitivity to light, while a higher ISO means more sensitivity. In basic terms ISO brightens or darkens your image.
