By request by Jack Ricci Sanchez
I will try to formulate the advice I would have liked to received when I started out in the photography hobby
Shoot a lot
Get to know your gear to a point where it doesn't get in your way
Experiment with technique and style, don't get stuck in one type of photography early on
Practice... not all pictures has to be shown to others. The purpose of every shoot does not have to be to get good photos. Sometimes you can just practice panning by shooting cars going by
Review your work. If a shot does not make the cut. Why? What could have been done differently?
Get inspired
Look at work from photographers you admire
Why do you like a specific photo? Analyse what makes or breaks a photo for you.
Do more of what you like
Study classic art paintings
Mimic others work, but make it your own
Once you have learned how other are shooting. Find your own style
Learn photography basics
Learn composition. Rule of thirds, leading lines, patters and symmetry. Frame within a frame etc.
Learn the rules before you break them
Learn exposure triangle
Get out of auto mode. Take control
Customise your camera
Set it up for your style of shooting. Learn all the features and customise the buttons
Turn on electronic level and grid lines in camera
Try Back button focus it is a game changer if you can get used to it
Vision not gear
Don't lust for the next pice of equipment. Get to know the camera you have
The difference between a snapshot and photograph is intend. Think about what you are trying to communicate. Tell a story or create a pice of art. Pre-visualize. Shoot for the end product. Think about what adds to the picture you want to create and what takes away. Remove elements that distract by getting closer or changing angle. Even think about how you are going to post process.
If the end result is going to in black and white. Set your camera up to display in black and white, also in the viewfinder if possible
If dynamic range is to wide use exposure bracketing
If the scene is too wide shoot for Panorama
If you want movement in the frame choose your shutter speed to blur out water or people...
Get someone you trust to critique your work
Someone that wants the best for you, that want to see you evolve. Not someone that want to push you down to lift them selves up
It can be someone whos work you admire, but it does not have to be
It is more important that they share honest opinions
When getting critique take only what you can use.
That goes for my advice as well
