10 Quick Tips for Aspiring Photographers

BEFORE PHOTOGRAPHY

Before I jump into my 10 quick tips for aspiring photographers, here's a quick story about this so called content creation career of mine. My very first camera on the road was a GoPro Hero 4 Black (see the first 2 photos below). I had no clue about photography whatsoever at the time (I mean, I still probably have no clue about photography to this day... kidding!). I took shots of whatever I wanted to, whenever, however. Long story short, after being on the road for 3-4 months, some of my photos started getting featured at big travel accounts (least bigger than mine at the time as I only had 200 followers on Instagram). That's when I started to realize, maybe I was onto something.

Fast forward to a lot of "Googl-ing" on how to take better pictures and teaching myself the ways of photography, whether it was a matter of timing, wanting to learn, passion etc., it led me to being able to leverage this "online portfolio" of mine on the road such as getting sponsored accommodations/activities or any sort of work I could get my hands to. You could do the same and you don't need a super expensive camera to take awesome shots (least not when you're just starting out). You just need to follow my simple tips down below!

1) START WITH WHAT YOU HAVE

The great thing about photography is that anyone can take photos nowadays. Even my 5 year old cousins takes photos of practically anything, if they can do it, so can you! Smart phones are getting better year after year, especially the quality of the built in camera's in them! Now of course a DLSR or a mirrorless full frame is a lot better and phones shouldn't be compared but the point is, most of us have cameras within an arm's reach. In fact, you're probably holding one now! (if you're reading this on your smart phone).. This is probably the most important tip of all, and that's to start now, TODAY! Just start taking photos.

2) APPRECIATE, NEVER IMITATE

It takes time to find your style and flare when you've just started out. Be patient, work on your craft, appreciate the process, look for inspiration, appreciate other people's work but never EVER copy it. You may follow their ways, techniques etc. and that's fine but you need to add your own flare to it. Photographer Joe may be popular but it's because his work has his own flavour to it. You can't take the same exact photos as Photographer Joe if you want to stand out. The only way your work is going to be recognized is if you put your own flavour to it.

3) LEARN THE BASICS

I know how easy it is to just go out there on the field and become trigger happy. I know, I get it. Learn on the go blah blah blah. Though this is good when you're just starting out, if you really want to take photography seriously, you need to learn the basics. Learn photography terms and what they mean such as rule of thirds, bokeh, composition, the golden hour etc. Understand the basic dials on your camera such as ISO, shutter speed, aperture, aperture priority, white balance, and so forth. One of the greatest basketball players to ever play the sport Michael Jordan said it best, he said, "Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise.” This is true about photography and with anything else in life.

4) EAT, SLEEP, SHOOT, REPEAT

Shoot everyday if you can. Getting familiar with what works for you out in the field is crucial if you want to make progress. Play with your camera settings, shoot in different times of the day, capture still/moving objects, then go back home and see what works or what didn't work. Go out there again and repeat! There is a saying that goes, "It takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at something." In my opinion it also takes 10,000 photos before you actually start taking photos on another level. So what are you waiting for?! Go out there and shoot! Well not now, after you read this post of course.

5) DEVELOP A STYLE

Photography is a way to express your creativity. Everyone has their own ways to be creative through a photo. There are moody styles, minimalistic, retro, the list just goes on. It doesn't matter which type of photography you get into, overtime you're going to develop a style that will be a common theme when you take photos. Be patient in the beginning. In fact don't even sweat it if you feel lost when it comes to this. Don't try to find it as I firmly believe it will just come to you. As an artist, your style can potentially change over time and that is completely fine! When this happens, it usually means there's progress in your work.

6) NEVER 'A', ALWAYS 'M'

Whatever you do, never shoot in Automatic. Shoot in Manual mode (always) as this will teach you how ISO, shutter, and aperture works together as a whole. Photography means "drawing light", if you can understand this and translate it to how you work, you're on the right path. Go back to tip #3 to learn the basics of photography then apply what you've learned on the field to fully control how your image turns out in different situations and lighting conditions. The auto mode may be convenient as it sets everything for you on the spot but if you want to take photography seriously, you need to shoot in Manual. I say this because this is one of the many ways how you can develop your own style. You place limits on your camera when you're shooting in the auto mode. Manual mode is when you're really using the camera to its full potential, including your skills as a photographer.

7) FIND INSPIRATION

As I mentioned on my second tip, I said "Appreciate, Never Imitate". Whether you're doing landscape, street, or portrait photography, find inspiration. This will give you fresh ideas on how to capture things or to get your creative juices flowing. Example, as a travel photographer, let's say I'm going to a particular country. I'll find inspiration about this place because one, it will give me an idea of how the place looks, and two, I can see how people in the past have shot this place and I ask myself, ok great but how can I shoot it differently? I challenge myself in trying to be different with my shots instead of having a similar shot from the other photographers who have been to this place. This is how finding inspiration have helped me over the years when I go out there to shoot.

8) DO IT FOR YOU

Yes I know this may sound selfish but you need to do the shots for you. Just because everyone is doing the orange and teal tones, it doesn't mean you have to. I mean would you jump if everyone jumped off the bridge? (I mean yeah it sounds fun if there's water underneath.. ok I'm getting side tracked here). Anyways, my point is orange and teal looks good but if you want to do something different, go for it! Do it for you! This is how you will be unique from the get go. If the orange and teal tone looks good to you, then go for it, just don't forget to add your own flavour to it.

9) LEVERAGE SOCIAL MEDIA

We are living in the greatest era. People think social media is evil, I agree. They're evil if you're utilizing it in the wrong way. Imagine if you were a photographer more than 4 or 5 decades ago. Tough right!? Now more than ever, photographers can use social media to showcase their portfolio/work. The best thing, it's FREE! No overhead costs! Social media is amazing! Nowadays it's so easy to showcase your photos to the world! I'm going to say it again, greatest era ever!

10) JUST ENJOY IT

I remember when I got into a slump in the beginning or I was stuck in a creative rut, I realize it was because I was not having fun. You need to have fun and enjoy what you're doing. If you're not, put down your camera and take a break or do whatever it is you need to do. As I look through my photos, most of the amazing shots that I've taken is when I was just simply enjoying taking photos. It sounds cheesy right? But this is the truth! The more I was enjoying dialling down my settings, or patiently waiting for that perfect lighting, the more creative I got with my shots and the more natural I felt with how I should frame my shots etc. If you did go out to take some shots, enjoyed it but you didn't like how your shots turned out in the end.. well.. don't forget, you're just a noob starting out. I'm kidding! You can look at it this way, at least you had fun! You'll get 'em next time!