17 Beginner Photography Tips (How to Get Started)

Talk to an experienced photographerand they’ll tell you that photography is both incredibly fun and extremely rewarding. When you’re just a beginnerhoweverit’s easy to become overwhelmed; after allyou have to understand so many detailscovering gearcamera settingspost-processinglightingand more.

But don’t worry! I’ve been exactly where you areand in this articleI offer all the beginner photography tips I wish I had when I was starting out. I share plenty of gear adviceI demystify key conceptsand I offer an array of techniques that will ensure your photos improve in leaps and bounds. SpecificallyI explain:

• How to buy the right gear
• How to choose the right camera settings
• Where to start with post-processing
• Muchmuch more!

Are you ready to jumpstart your photography hobby? Let’s dive right in!

1. Research gear (but don’t go overboard)

Your gear does not make you a good photographer.

In factif you are just starting outa top-of-the-line camera will not only be a waste of moneybut it will also make your learning process trickier. (Purchasing an expensive camera as a beginner is a bit like buying a race car to learn to drive).

When you want to buy gear – whether it’s your first camera/lens/accessory or your tenth – do your research. It’s helpful to take a look at some photography forums or articles for camera recommendations. Once you find something that sounds viable and fits your budgetread professional and user reviews to determine whether it’ll satisfy your needs. That saidI do have some recommendations:

2. Buy an interchangeable lens camera

You can capture amazing photos with any camerabut certain models will offer greater flexibility (not to mention better image quality). Smartphone cameras and point-and-shoot models are perfectly capablebut they lack one key feature: interchangeable lenses.

You seeDSLRs and mirrorless cameras allow you to swap out various lenses as you shootwhich makes a huge differenceespecially if you enjoy photographing multiple subjects. You can use a wide-angle lens to capture a beautiful scenic shotswitch to a telephoto lens to create a tighter compositionthen try out a super-telephoto lens for an ultra-close image of a bird as it flies through the landscape.

Of courseeach lens does cost moneybut there are reasonably priced models designed specifically for beginners. And one of the benefits of interchangeable lens cameras is that you can always upgrade your lenses – while keeping the same camera – as you become more serious.

Which interchangeable lens camera should you buy? The specifics aren’t really importantbut you can get great results from an entry-level mirrorless model like the Nikon Z 30the Sony a6400or the Canon EOS R50.

3. Use your kit lens often (but upgrade it as needed)

When you purchase an interchangeable lens camerait will likely come with a zoom lenswhich is also referred to as a kit lens. Many serious photographers are critical of kit lensesbut I’d really recommend using your kit model frequently before splurging on additional glass.

For onekit lenses are designed to handle many different subjectsso you can use one to really explore an array of different photographic genres and techniques. Plusbecause kit lenses span commonly used focal lengths – including 28mm35mmand 50mm – you can use a bit of kit lens practice to identify the focal lengths that really feel right to you.

From thereyou can make informed decisions about purchasing additional lenses!

4. Consider investing in a tripod

Once you have a camera and a lensthere’s just one more equipment item that I’d urge you to consider: a tripod.

A tripod will keep your camera stable so you can capture sharp photos even in extremely dark conditions. It can be a huge asset in many different photographic genresincluding landscape photographyarchitecture photographyproduct photographyand wildlife photography.

Nowtripods can be a bit cumbersome to work withand they’re not right for every photographer. (Street shootingfor instanceis rarely done with a tripod!) But unless you know for certain that you’d never use oneI’d really encourage you to invest in a solid yet lightweight model and see what you think!

5. Take lots of photographs

“Your first ten thousand photographs are your worst.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

As with any skillthe more you practicethe better you get. So the quickest way to get better? Simply head out with a camera and start taking pictures.

Of courseknowledge does matterbut there’s something essential about holding a camera in your handslooking through the viewfinderand considering different compositions. Aim to spend at least a few hours every week behind the lens (and more is better!). It doesn’t necessarily matter what you shoot – as long as you’re shootingyou’re improving.

And don’t beat yourself up if your shots don’t turn out the way you’ve envisioned. Part of photography is about failing repeatedly; over timeyou’ll learn how to get the result you wantand you’ll come home with more and more keepers.

6. Read the manual

Camera manuals are quite possibly the most boring thing you have ever read in your lifeand reading the camera manual is certainly the most boring thing you’ll ever do in pursuit of photographic improvement.

That saidI suggest you do it anyway.

Why? It’s important to know how your camera actually worksespecially in the beginning. And the information will become useful down the linetoo. You’ll be out in the field and you’ll want to know how to change a particular setting; if you’ve read the manual thoroughlyyou’ll be able to figure it out on the fly. On the other handif you haven’t read the manualyou’ll be forced to look up instructions on your phoneand by then your photo opportunity will likely have disappeared.

Of courseyou don’t need to read the manual all at once. I recommend you place it where you can push through in small installments while you are killing timesuch as in the bathroomin the caror in your desk at work.

7. Learn about composition

Composition refers to the way you arrange different elements in your photos. (For instancedo you place your main subject right in the middle of the frame? Do you place it in the corner? Or do you place it somewhere in between?)

And if you can understand how to create balanced compositionsyour images will improve in leaps and bounds.

Why? The better your compositionsthe more pleasing your images will appear – and the easier it’ll be to capture stunning shots of even the most boring subjects.

One way to delve into composition is through experimentation. Just find a subject (e.g.a flower)then capture lots of images from different positions and evaluate the results. But I’d also recommend reading about the basic composition ruleswhich will certainly help you successfully frame your shots.

8. Don’t start with workshops

So you’ve got the photography bug. You might be thinking“Ooh! I’ll sign up to a bunch of workshops; that wayI can improve really fast.”

And workshops are great. But they tend to be geared more toward enthusiasts – photographers who understand the basics and are looking to level up their skills in compositionlightingand advanced techniques. That’s why I don’t recommend going nuts with workshops right away. Insteadyou should really start with the basics:

• How to operate your camera
• The meaning of different photography terminology
• How to determine the proper settings for the situation

Fortunatelyyou’ve already taken a step in the right directionbecause you are currently reading one of the most useful photography sites on the internet. There are more tips and tutorials on this site than you will ever needespecially for a beginner. Once you get the hang of thingsthen you’ll have a better idea of the type of workshops that would suit youand you might consider that route.

So I’m not saying that you shouldn’t do a workshop – just that you should wait until you know what suits your needs.

9. Connect with other photographers

Learning photography with others is often invaluable – whether you join an online group or you head to a local camera club.

For oneyour photography will progress fasterplus it will be far more fun with the help of your fellow shutterbugs.

Camera clubs often have monthly competitions and may organize photo toursexhibitionsand other activities. Talking with knowledgeable photographers or even fellow beginners will not only inspire you but also keep you motivated.

Alsosign up to some reputable photography newsletters and Facebook pagesor even reach out to photographers you admire. Most professional photographers don’t mind answering a few questions as long as you are respectfulpoliteand don’t demand too much of their time.

10. Try everything

This piece of advice is short and sweet.

While you may have taken up photography with a certain genre or subject in mindit can be helpful to try all genres. You never know what you might have a knack foror what you will learn along the way.

So shoot landscapes. Shoot portraits. Head out to the streets and do some urban photography. Find a beautiful flower and photograph close-ups.

You never know; you might find a genre that you absolutely love but hadn’t previously considered.

11. Get feedback

Your friends and family may love youbut they will lie to you about your photography (and they may not even know what to look for). Unless you have a very honest friend or family member who actually knows a bit about artit’s often more beneficial to get feedback from strangers.

Joining a photo-sharing site where others can comment on your work will get you mostly honest feedback (sometimes brutally so). Many years backI posted the image below on a feedback site. I knew the image had faultsbut I was keen to hear what someone else could point out and how they could help me improve.

Wellone fellow submitted a lengthy commentbasically pulling the image apart. He pointed out what seemed like several million faultsand he really went to town on it. But while the comments were painful and borderline unkindit was useful advice that I could then apply to my next portrait photo shoot.

12. Look at tons of photos

Photography has been around for nearly two centuriesand in that timepractitioners have created billions of images. Many of these photos are badbut quite a few of them are very good – and by looking at these shotsyou can learn from the best of the best.

I’d encourage you to view a handful of photos every single dayno matter what. You can look on Instagramon a website like 500pxor on photographers’ websites. The key is to find some beautiful imagesthen spend time absorbing them to the best of your ability. (As you view each fileask yourself: What makes this shot special? What do I like about it? What do I dislike? How did the photographer use lightingcompositionand other techniques to create a pleasing effect?)

You might also consider heading to your local library and checking out some books created by classic photographers. Sureviewing contemporary photography is greatbut there’s also plenty to be learned from the past!

13. Enter free competitions

If you have money to spend and confidence in your workby all meansenter some of the big competitions – even as a beginner. You wouldn’t be the first to take a major prize within the first few months of picking up a camera.

Even if you don’t want to spend money to enter competitionsthere are plenty of free options. Throw in some imagessee how the contest goesand hey – maybe you’ll win!

14. Test out different lighting scenarios

Lighting is a key component of photography. In factlighting can make or break your imageswhich is why this beginner tip is so important.

When you’re just starting outit’s essential that you really develop your sense of lighting. In other wordsyou want to be able to tell the difference between various types of outdoor lighting scenarios and how they affect your photos.

So carefully watch the cloud cover and the timeand make sure you photograph in many different situations. Shoot at dawn and duskat high noonand on heavily overcast days. Then head back home and carefully evaluate the files on your computer. Ask yourself: How does each image look? How do the type and direction of light alter the shadowsthe moodand the effectiveness of each shot?

15. Aim to get off Auto mode

If you really want to be a good photographerthis is vital.

Because while Auto mode is useful enough when you’re just getting startedit’ll eventually hold you backand it’ll certainly prevent you from realizing your full potential.

You don’t need to rushthough. At firstjust enjoy photographingeven if that means using Auto mode all the time.

Then slowly move up the ladder as you familiarize yourself with Program modeAperture Priority modeand eventually Manual mode.

In truthmanual settings aren’t nearly as difficult as some beginners think. It can be a bit like learning to drive. In the beginningit’ll be challenging to manage gearsindicatorsand steeringall while trying not to veer off the road. But with a bit of patience and practiceit’ll become second nature.

(When you are ready to try manual settingsthere are plenty of beginner guides and cheat sheets here on dPS!)

16. Get a post-processing program

To become a serious photographeryou’ll eventually need an editing program.

Why? Because these daysediting is an essential part of the photographic process. If you want your photos to look their bestthen you must learn to edit.

Which post-processing program is best?

Wellthere are free programs such as Darktable and GIMPwhich are nice but have their limitations. Then there are the big guns like Photoshop and Lightroomwhich can be daunting for beginners. PersonallyI recommend just forging ahead with Lightroom; if you intend to eventually get serious with your photographyit’s a hugely useful tool to understandplus it’s not as difficult as it might initially seem.

Alternativelyyou might consider an option such as ON1 Photo RAW or Luminar Neoboth of which are slightly more beginner-friendly than Lightroom yet pack a lot of power.

17. Have fun

This is the best and most important part of photography:

The enjoyment of it!

Don’t get bogged down by unsuccessful attempts or by comparing yourself to professionals. Even the best photographers in the world were beginners at some point. Just keep taking photographskeep learningkeep challenging yourselfand above allkeep enjoying the fun you can have with photography!

Photography tips for beginners: final words

Hopefullyyou’re now feeling inspired – and you’re ready to continue the learning process.

Photography is an adventureand it’s a fun onetoo. Surethere will be ups and downsbut in the endyou’ll be glad you persevered!

Now over to you:

Which of these tips do you plan to use first? Do you have any beginner photography tips that we missed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!