In today’s world, photography is an essential tool for almost everyone. From bloggers to professional photographers and image marketers, everyone seems to be a photographer these days. But not all of you are good ones.
If you haven’t realized it yet, the fact that there are millions of photographers on the internet makes it harder than ever to stand out as a photographer. You see so many people taking photos that it can seem like there’s no point in even trying. So how can you become a better photographer?
Plan Before You Shoot
If you have never planned your shots ahead of time, you are missing out on a huge opportunity for success as a photographer. Planning will help you avoid wasting time and resources. Planning also allows you to avoid making mistakes.
For example, if you plan to travel to a certain place to take some photos, you will know in advance if the light will be good. Also, you will avoid missing the best time of day. Planning also means that you won’t have to rush when it comes to taking photos. You might be rushing when you’re trying to get a photo of your friend in her new dress, but you certainly don’t want to rush while taking photos of architecture.
When you plan your shots, you also need to make a proper schedule. If you don’t know what times of the day or night are best for taking pictures, you will be wasting a lot of time. There are two basic times of day to take pictures: the day and the night. The day is better for pictures with colors and light effects, while the night is better for pictures with shadows and a more surreal look.
Use Light Effectively
When it comes to taking photos, the light is everything. This means that if you want to take photos of flowers, you need to get them in the morning when the sunlight is pouring through the flowers’ colors. But you don’t have to limit yourself to the colors of flowers either. If you take photos of architecture, you can take advantage of the light to create awesome light effects.
You can also try to take advantage of the light to create some cool shadows. You can take photos of your friends against a blue sky and then take the photo in the evening when the sky is red. This way, the sky can create a nice light effect on your friends, while the red of the sky creates a nice dark shadow.
Be Original
Photographers are always looking for ways to stand out from the crowd. The best way to do this is to be original. When you take photos and videos that are original, you will have a much easier time making your mark as a photographer. You might be surprised to know that what you take might be much better than what the majority of photographers are taking.
With this in mind, you need to be original when it comes to the photos you take. For example, if you are a traveler and you decide to take photos of some blue seas, you can certainly take the photo like most of your peers to do and just show that section of the sea. But why stop there? Why not try taking a photo of a seagull diving into the water? This can add a lot of originality to your photos while showcasing the sea in a new way.
Shoot RAW To Edit Later
It might sound like a no-brainer, but you should shoot your photos in RAW format. When you shoot in RAW format, the camera will save the original data from the sensor. You see, the RAW format doesn’t ‘process’ the image until you edit it.
Editing RAW photos mean that you are simply changing the file. Editing RAW photos means that you will have a lot more space for editing. Editing RAW photos also mean that you can always go back to that editing space if you want to change something.
Editing RAW photos is dangerous though. Any editing done in RAW format is permanent, and you can’t undo it. If you want to be safer when editing your photos, shoot them in RAW format.
Always Take A Break
If you take photos for a living, you will inevitably feel stressed out. Even if you have a great job, it’s probably hard on your mental health. If you are feeling overwhelmed or you are feeling like you are wasting too much time, take a break. Did you know that taking a break is not just a way to relax, but it’s also a great way to recharge your batteries?
When you are feeling stressed, it’s easy to get stuck in a negative cycle. Taking a break from photography will help you avoid falling into this trap. Once you are back to work, you will be better at it. When you take a break from photography, don’t try to rush back to work. Take a walk, go for a run, play some sports with the kids or just sit by the pool and relax.
Whatever you do, just don’t try to rush back to work. Rushing will only make things worse. Rushing will cause you to miss the chance to relax and recharge your batteries while taking a break will help you address any stress or issues that may be causing you to feel stressed out.
Final Words
If you are reading this article, it would be safe to assume that you want to become a better photographer. You see the huge potential that photography has, but you feel like you aren’t doing it justice. And that’s okay! It takes time and practice to become a better photographer.
And the best way to get better is to keep practicing. So next time you are out taking photos, make sure to apply the tips from this article, and you will see your photography improve.
