How to Start Doing Photography

Camera Outside Denver Botanical Gardens in Colorado

So You Want to Get into Photography?

I remember when I first wanted to get started doing photography, I didn’t know anything, I was given a old Canon Rebel from my aunt and had to figure it out. Looking back at my years of trial an error I understand the roller coaster it is getting started with photography.

Here are some tips I would give myself if I had to start over:

1. Get a Cheap Camera and Lens
   It is pretty hard to get into professional photography if you are just running around with your phone camera. Even though phones are incredible now a days at taking pictures, no one will ever hire you if you don’t have a real camera. Now, you don’t need to start with the worlds most expensive set up but you do need a camera. I would recommend starting with a Canon Rebel with a Kit Lens. In the event you find out you don’t like photography you can sleep in peace at night knowing you didn’t drop several grand on your starter kit.

2. Learn the Foundations of Shooting in Manual
   Kind of like shooting on a phone camera, you won’t get to far if you don’t understand the principles of shooting in manual and understanding the exposure triangle. This step is by far one of the most time consuming steps, understanding how your camera settings work together to create the properly exposed photo. Learn what aperture, shutter speed, and ISO are and how they influence each other.

3. Practice Shooting Everything
   After having an understanding of Manual settings, you should start practicing these settings on different subjects and in different lighting scenarios. It is helpful to start with still shots. The biggest thing that makes great photographers is practice time. For some people it comes naturally, but for most it takes repetition and practice, like any skill it likely will not come over night. So keep practicing, ask to photograph friends, sports, couples, and really build your portfolio and comfortability being behind the camera and learning to multi-task by shooting, adjusting camera settings, and directing your subjects in front of the camera.

4. Begin Learning How to Use Lightroom Classic
   Photography has so many layers to it, you are not simply done when the shutter goes, no you need to start learning the ins and outs of Lightroom to “finish off” the photos. Typically, photos are not ready to be sent right out of the camera. You need to learn how to edit and touch them up, maybe that includes color correction, fixing the exposure, or even removing certain objects from the photos. I would watch different tutorials on how to use Lightroom Classic to edit your photos and then download them in a usable format.

5. Repeat This Over and Over
   I have been doing photography for 8 years now and one thing that is true is that a photographer never stops learning. With the advent of new camera gear and software every year you need to adapt and continue learning.

For more mentorship advice email me at themadisonraestudios@gmail.com