By Nick
What advice would I give my young photographer self 30+ years ago?
#photographyhobbyist #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever
Becoming
successful in photography, whether personally or professionally, can
seem like an uphill slog sometimes. So, how can you make it easier when
starting out in photography?
The main
thing to remember and concentrate on is your mindset! Think like a
photographer for long enough and you will become one.
Sounds
strange? Well, your mind is the most powerful asset you have and can
also be the most destructive. If you continuously think you cannot do
something, you won't...period! When you truly believe in yourself and
stay persistent in your efforts, you can achieve anything.
Don't be put off by naysayers or beautiful portfolios that you come across, be inspired and motivated by them.
Fear not the competition
Try
not to be put off by the sheer number of photographers out there doing
business all around you. Especially if you are in a built up, busy area.
Just understand that it is a huge market and you can easily grab your
own share if that is what you want.
The more working photographers in your area, the more work that is probably available, see it as a positive thing!
All
the technical jargon, buttons, features, accessories, upgrade, updates
and software out there can be a distraction. Photography is
fundamentally simple in its basic form so don't let it worry you.
The quality of your poorer shots shouldn't get you down, it MAY be the equipment you are using and NOT you!
Camera Equipment
Don't think that you need to invest a fortune in all the latest equipment, you don't! All you need to start is a camera and a lens.
When
I got back into (digital) photography in 2003 after a long break from
film photography, I was as confused as anyone as to what kit I would now
need. This is because I was used to medium and large format film
cameras as well as the good old 35mm film SLR's.
So, I started with just one, simple camera body (Canon EOS 10D), one lens (28-135mm) and one speedlight (Sigma 500ST Super).
I
decided that before I bought any more kit, I would have to earn the
money for it by just using what I had. That worked well and I soon built
up a huge arsenal of cameras, lenses, computers, printers, studio kit etc and still use that principle today.
Using a DSLR
Learn to control the camera and start to really enjoy photography for what it essentially is...art!
When you first get hold of a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera, it can be mighty confusing:
What will you shoot?
There
are so many avenues you can take with photography these days. Whilst on
a certain "journey" you may discover a new love and talent for a
different area such as:
This certainly happened to me years ago in the early 1990's when I first got started out in photography with my business.
I
was happily travelling around the UK taking photos of villages for a
postcard company when a young lady called us. She used the contact
details on the back of a postcard in her local village and asked us if
we shot weddings. We didn't at that point but still said yes.
After
a few training courses and a ton of practice, we shot that wedding.
This led to more weddings and even a private shoot with the Princess
Royal, HRH Princess Anne. What a buzz and all from the back of a postcard.
Be inspired
We
will help you to shoot the best photography you can in whatever area(s)
you choose to pursue. We'll also to help you to get your work and
business seen to ensure that you get the best possible start. ATP is
here to help!
Stay
focussed and start to create your own style. Don't think that just
because www.iamthebestphotographerintheworld.com (not a real site at the
time of writing) gets a ton of work, EVERYONE likes their style and
that you should imitate them.
The great
thing about photography is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and
the beholder is your customer. Find your OWN market and style.
Get out and practice
Start
out by simply practicing as much as possible and don't worry if you
make mistakes, even the pros make mistakes believe me! Take your camera
everywhere with you and shoot as much as you can, after all, digital is
free!
Don't just take hundreds of shots
and delete the poor ones. Analyse WHY they are poor and learn from them.
Look at the settings used, look at the light, what went wrong and ask
yourself how can you correct it?
The
more you practice, the better you will become, guaranteed, and the day
will come when you know finally your kit inside out. Then you will also
know how to deal with any situation that arises by making the right
adjustments to your camera, lens, composition and lighting. That day is a
great day believe me!
I have seen
beginners come to our site at All Things Photography with very little
knowledge indeed. Then in just a matter of months, I have seen their
work improve dramatically. I have also seen students from our courses
(DSLR, Weddings and Stock Photography) go from complete novices, to
full, working professional wedding and portrait photographers in just a
year!
Starting out in photography
We
are hoping to make ATP Members a friendly community where you will
receive as much information and guidance as you need to get you going.
Once you have that confidence and ability, we want to help you get
established in whatever area of photography you decide to pursue.
The
buzz for me is to see people succeed. I have been told far too often
that people cannot find a photographer in their area who will help them
get started. That is why the ATP and ATP Members websites exist!
I
can see a fundamental shift in the way people want to work and live
their lives. People are starting to wake up and realise it doesn't have
to be "this way". Photography is now, more than ever, accessible to
everyone and there is no reason why you cannot make a living from it if
you so desire.
Whether you want to get
out of the rat race and do something you love for a living, or you
simply want to enhance what you already know by learning to capture your
world in the best way possible, just get out and practice.
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