When you begin something new you need some helpful hints. Today I’ll
tell you what has helped me. I’ll be glad if you find these hints helpful, too.
1. You need to
become a part of a photography community.
There are so many websites now where you could share
your photos (http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/, http://www.viewbug.com/, https://www.flickr.com/ You’ll be surprised to receive so many supportive and kind comments.
Even when you read only something like “nice/lovely/amazing short” you’ll be
glad, won’t you? And you’ll be truly happy to receive thoughtful, heartwarming,
encouraging comments. Be thankful for comments, even when you’ll receive some constructive
criticism. When members of your photography community see your photos you
receive your personal recommendations (how to improve composition or colors for
example). And do not forget to write your own comments for others.
2. Look
at the works of other photographers for a flash of creative inspiration.
Ansel Adams, Annie Leibovitz, Josef Koudelka, Berenice Abbott, Brassai, David LaChapelle, André Kertész, Sebastiao Salgado… it’s impossible to name all the Masters
of Photography. Watch their classic works, you’ll be taught by great masters. And
you could watch and enjoy the works of modern photographers, both famous and lesser-known.
This will help you to find your own style.
3. Learn
as much as possible on photography.
It can be very beneficial to read books, to listen lectures
online or offline. I can recommend you the books which I read myself: Tom Ang’s
“Digital Photographer’s Handbook”, Scott Kelby’s “Digital Photography Book” (5
parts), Bryan Peterson’s “Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great
Photographs with a Film or a Digital Camera”, Bryan Peterson’s “People in
Focus: How to Photograph Anyone, Anywhere”. Take your photos as often as you
can. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
4. Do not
compare yourself to others.
I can suggest that you will not compare your
photographs with the masterpieces of the great masters (or at least not in the
beginning of your way to the world of photography). They are beyond comparison.
Scarcely will you compare your photos with that of modern famous photographers.
But it will be difficult for you to avoid comparison with the members of your
photography community or your friends. This comparing can be discouraging and
demoralizing. Never compare yourself in your beginning stages with someone else
in the middle of their way.
You can compare yourself with your previous self when
you started. You are the unique you,
you tell your own story with the help of photography. Look at where your are
today and aim to get better tomorrow.
5. Believe
in yourself.
Rome was not built in a day; it takes some time to
become a good photographer. You could not become a photographer at the day
you’ve bought your camera. Learn, enjoy your shooting, find your own style.
It’s an opportunity to create something new in your life that you haven’t had
before. And sooner or later you will
become a good photographer.
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