Dear Beginner Photographer,
If you are reading this you probably need a little pick me up. Whether you just bought your first camera, have been taking pictures for a few months, or even been at it for years, we all need some reassurance. A pep talk if you must. I hope this blog post finds you, and encourages you to keep going. To enjoy the wonders of seeing the world through a lens.
To my beginner friends don't feel overwhelmed by the variety and possibilities that photography gives us the opportunity to explore. You don't have to have your heart set on one key category like landscapes, wildlife, still life, people, etc. You are still fresh in the game. Dabble in what you think you will love to photograph. If you want to do landscapes and macros go for it. If you want to do flowers and people don't be afraid to. The world is your oyster.
Don't get carried away by the menagerie of the photography gear world. It can get overwhelming, and you will stay up at nights researching what lens might be good for what you are trying to achieve. Don't rush into a major purchase. This camera and your gear is what you have to work with. Make sure it's something that you as a person are comfortable with. For example I know fuji is great, but their cameras are a little too complicated to run in my opinion. I will stick with my Sony any day. Oh and p.s. people will ALWAYS have a strong opinion on what brand they absolutely love. It just comes with the territory.
When you first start not everything is going to come out looking like a National Geographic or Vogue photographer took it. You will have ugly pictures from time to time. It just happens. I've been in the game for ten years now and I still get ugly pictures. Don't beat yourself up on this. Practice is key. Don't hesitate to change some settings or roll with the camera being on manual. In fact get out of your comfort zone and put your camera in manual. Might be the best thing that happened to you.
Photography classes, Youtube tutorials, and photography books will help you despite what some people say. I know when I took my photography class it helped me understand my camera tremendously. I still watch tutorials on Youtube of new techniques I could use to get better pictures. There will always be a learning process, and a way to better your photography. I'm still learning how to better my photos. It's been a process for ten years.
I started photography just like anyone else. I got a little kodak digital camera for Christmas back in 2011. Little did I know I would take this camera with me to Virginia, as far west as Yellowstone, and even out of the country to Belize. In 2015 that camera stopped working. Whether it was the moisture that Belize had to offer, or the constant use it got I don't know. All I knew is I was cameraless for the better part of 2015.
That Christmas I landed my first DSLR camera. That was my dream. To feel like the big dogs. It was a huge learning curve compared to the little Kodak camera I used to roll with. Now you have to learn how to use the focus ring to get crisp pictures. Learn to use the million settings on the camera to get it just right. Once I started using those settings though, it just clicked. I was in heaven. Until I discovered another type of camera.
In the spring of 2018 my boyfriend got a Sony mirrorless camera. I messed with it and was instantly jealous by the crisp pictures and beautiful colors it effortlessly gave. I went out and bought my own. That camera has been the best camera to keep learning with. The compactness has allowed me to take it when I need to pack light. It's been to the Smokies with me countless times. Been with me to the Grand Canyon. Got banged against the rocks on Angel's Landing in Zion. It's been my companion since.
As my cameras changed so did my experience levels. I have grown as a photographer over the years. The pictures at the beginning of this blog post is an example. The cat picture was one of my first pictures I had ever taken. The loon was one of my most recent pictures. I have learned how to focus to get the better shot. What angles I need. What settings are best. Lenses that work for this and that. Trust me that all has been trial and error.
I still get those ugly pictures. Sometimes it's bird butt pictures. Sometimes it's a picture you thought was crisp and really it's blurry as hell. Picture turned out too dark or too bright. Sometimes I get discouraged, and have to leave my work for a while. That's okay. That's perfectly alright. We all have those moments.
The best moments that you will find out is the ones where you take a picture that you think is the best picture that you've ever taken. It could be one you worked so hard to get. Could be one that just catches you by surprise. Do me a favor when you find those. Get them printed. Hang it on your wall. When people come over show off that picture. You deserve it. That's one of the best feelings to see it printed out where you can show it off.
So get out there. Don't be scared to take a risk. Don't compare your work with other peoples work. Don't get discouraged. Just remember you don't suck. You will have good days and bad days. If you ever need a pick me up or a pep talk just come on over to this blog post again. You got this.
Sincerely,
A fellow photographer
I really enjoyed this post Maddy! You do a great job explaining!