Beyond the Manual: 5 Crucial Photography Lessons for Every Aspiring Photographer
Lately, I’ve noticed an increasing interest in photography tips. Many aspiring photographers, from beginners to those looking to refine their craft, are constantly seeking ways to improve their skills. While I don’t consider myself a professional photographer in the traditional sense, my background with a degree in Multimedia and my current role as a videographer have given me a solid understanding of fundamental visual concepts such as lighting, composition, and white balance. Interestingly, my formal education didn’t directly cover still photography; it’s a skill I’ve largely cultivated through personal passion and practice. Although many concepts overlap between videography and photography, the nuances of capturing still images versus motion are distinct. Photography, particularly food and landscape photography, has become a cherished hobby for me.
Today, I’m excited to share “5 Photography Lessons Your Manual Won’t Teach You.” These aren’t technical camera settings or advanced editing tricks. Instead, these are foundational tips to consider even before you pick up your camera and start shooting – think of them as essential pre-production thoughts. They delve deeper into the mental approach to photography rather than just the mechanics. My hope is that these insights will offer you a fresh perspective and perhaps a renewed sense of purpose the next time you embark on a shooting session. Let’s explore these crucial lessons that go beyond the technical specifications of your camera.
1. Embrace Your Journey: Stop Comparing, Start Growing
Image from So Many Things To Do, So Little Time on Tumblr
This is perhaps one of the most vital, yet most challenging, lessons in any creative pursuit: there will always be photographers whose work you admire more, and others whose skills are still developing. Accepting this reality is the first step towards a healthier, more productive photography journey. It’s incredibly easy to fall into the comparison trap – we all do it. You might feel proud of your latest shots, only to browse popular blogs or social media feeds and realize others seem to be operating on a completely different level. Or perhaps you face rejections from curated photography sites and wonder what you’re doing wrong.
The key is not to give up. The most important rule to live by is to refrain from comparing your progress directly to others’ achievements. Their journey, resources, and experience are unique to them, just as yours are to you. Instead, shift your focus internally. Aim to be better than you were yesterday, last week, or last year. This means celebrating your personal growth and overall improvement, rather than constantly measuring yourself against an external, often unrealistic, benchmark. Trust me, I often get frustrated when my photos don’t quite match my vision. However, when I look back at images I captured a year ago, the progress is undeniable, and that’s incredibly motivating. Cultivating this mindset helps build resilience and keeps your passion alive.
2. Conquer One Skill at a Time: The Power of Incremental Improvement
When I review my photographs, I can often spot numerous areas where I could improve. It’s tempting to try and fix everything at once, but this approach can quickly lead to overwhelm and discouragement. A far more effective strategy is to concentrate on one specific area of improvement at a time. Once I feel I’ve made significant progress in that particular skill, I then move on to tackle the next.
For instance, lighting was a major hurdle for me, and frankly, it still presents challenges at times. My initial step was to understand and control it better, which included creating a simple light box for food photography (a topic for another detailed post!). Following that, I began to consciously practice utilizing natural light as much as possible. This can be tricky, especially when working full-time during daylight hours, particularly in the winter months when natural light is scarce. Once I felt more confident in my lighting techniques, I shifted my focus to composition. Questions like, “What props can I use to enhance the story?” and “How should I design my background?” became central to my practice. These are big topics themselves, but approaching them with “baby steps” makes them manageable. Remember, mastering photography is a gradual process; Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a skilled photographer! Break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps, and celebrate each mastery along the way.
Chocolate Chip Cut-Out Cookies: left 2009, right 2012
Angel Food Cupcakes: left 2009, right 2012
Strawberry Smores Tart: left June 5, 2011, right June 7, 2012 (almost exactly one year)
3. Master Your Gear: Understanding Your Camera Beyond the Manual
Regardless of the equipment you own – whether it’s a high-end DSLR, a versatile mirrorless camera, a simple point-and-shoot, or even just your smartphone – a truly good photographer is one who deeply understands their camera and the fundamental principles of how it operates. While a DSLR or mirrorless camera can undoubtedly produce sharper, higher-quality images, superior gear alone is never an excuse for poor lighting, uninspired composition, or blurry shots. The secret to unlocking your camera’s potential lies in going beyond the basic instruction manual.
Your camera’s manual is excellent for showing you *how* to switch to Aperture Priority (Av) mode or Shutter Priority (Tv) mode, but it rarely explains *why* you would choose one over the other, or what the numbers (f-stops, shutter speeds) actually signify in a practical sense. For many, these technical explanations can be confusing and overwhelming. The core concepts of exposure (aperture, shutter speed, ISO) truly began to “click” for me only after I explored various online tutorials and practical guides. I highly recommend starting with resources like Part 1 and Part 2 from Kevin and Amanda, which offer accessible explanations. You can find many more helpful tutorials curated on my Pinterest board for photography.
My own photography journey started with a very basic Kodak point-and-shoot camera. I then upgraded to a slightly more advanced model, the Canon PowerShot SX120IS. What made this camera a significant step up was its inclusion of manual modes: Shutter Priority (Tv), Aperture Priority (Av), and full Manual (M) mode. These are the same foundational modes you’ll find on professional DSLRs, the primary difference being that I was limited to a single, fixed lens. Eventually, a friend was selling his Canon Rebel, and I seized the opportunity to buy it.
Currently, I primarily shoot with two lenses: the 50mm f/1.8 lens and the 28-135mm lens. I highly recommend the 50mm f/1.8 as an excellent starter prime lens – if your budget allows, the f/1.4 version is even better, but the f/1.8 offers incredible value and image quality. Its wide aperture creates beautiful bokeh, perfect for isolating subjects in food photography. However, a drawback of the 50mm is that it doesn’t allow you to get extremely close to your subject without physically moving. For that versatility, I rely on my 28-135mm lens as a versatile zoom. While it’s not a true macro lens (a future dream purchase!), it enables me to get close enough for detailed shots. It’s also my go-to lens for travel photography, allowing me to capture both wide landscapes and zoomed-in details without constantly changing lenses or moving significantly, which is incredibly useful in restricted spaces like the Grand Canyon. Understanding your tools, practicing with them, and knowing when to use each for specific effects is a cornerstone of photographic mastery.
Honey Butter Dinner Rolls
4. Cultivate Observational Skills: Learn from Everything Around You
This lesson circles back to the first point about comparison, but with a crucial twist: instead of letting others’ superior work discourage you, use it as a powerful learning tool. Be observant. When you encounter a photograph that deeply impresses you, pause and analyze it. Why do you find it superior? Is it the captivating lighting, the clever composition, the unique creative concept, or perhaps the emotional impact?
When I examine a compelling image, particularly in food photography, I mentally dissect its composition. I consider: What did the photographer use as the “floor” or surface for the subject? What about the background – is it simple, textured, or out of focus? Was natural light employed, or artificial? Did the photographer use props strategically to emphasize the flavors or theme, such as a scattering of berries for a fruit tart, a honeycomb for a honey-glazed dish, or chocolate chips for a dessert? Did they match the shape of the plate to the food (e.g., a square plate for brownies, a round plate for cookies), or did they intentionally use contrasting shapes (a square plate for a single cookie)? How do the colors interact? Are they complementary, matching the food’s natural hues (red for strawberries, yellow for lemons), or are contrasting colors used to create visual interest (blues and greens with red strawberries or cherries)? Whatever elements you find appealing, try to understand the underlying concept and then experiment with applying that idea to your own photography.
When I find myself creatively stuck on how to set up a shot, I often turn to inspiration sites like Food Gawker. I search for similar subjects to what I’m shooting – whether it’s dinner rolls, bacon cookies, or a elaborate dessert – and observe how others have styled their shots. Typically, I’ll glean ideas from several different photos, adapting elements that resonate with me and discarding those that don’t fit my vision. And if you don’t find anything that inspires you, ask yourself why not. Is there something you expected to see but didn’t? Perhaps that’s your cue to be the innovator – go out and create that unique perspective yourself! Developing a keen eye for detail and actively learning from others’ work is an invaluable asset in your photographic journey.
Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
5. Embrace Imperfection: Relax, Learn, and Enjoy the Process
If you follow me on Twitter, you might already know that I tend to be overly critical of my own work. I often visualize an elaborate, perfect shoot in my mind, but then the execution doesn’t quite live up to that ideal. This creative tension can be both a blessing, pushing me to strive for excellence, and a curse, leading to self-doubt. This point ties back strongly to Lesson 1: ultimately, what truly matters is that you are making progress and continually improving compared to your past self.
It’s crucial to remember that mistakes are not failures; they are invaluable learning opportunities. If a shoot doesn’t go as planned – perhaps the ice cream melted too quickly, you lost the perfect natural light, or your props weren’t quite right – don’t dwell on the setback. Instead, analyze what went wrong, identify the lessons learned, and strategize how to approach it differently next time. For most of us, photography is a cherished hobby, a creative outlet. It’s easy to get so passionate and invested that we forget the primary goal should be enjoyment.
Because of my professional background in videography, I often hold myself to an exceptionally high standard in photography, feeling that my skills in one should directly translate to equal mastery in the other. However, this expectation can sometimes overshadow the joy of the hobby. What I’ve come to realize, and what I need to focus on, is that my dedicated practice in photography as a hobby has genuinely improved my skills in both disciplines since I graduated from college. It’s a journey of continuous learning and growth. Allow yourself to breathe, acknowledge that perfection is an elusive target, and most importantly, remember to have fun with your camera.
I genuinely hope these five lessons offer you a fresh and empowering perspective on your photographic endeavors. While technical tutorials and camera manuals provide essential knowledge, the most profound and valuable information you’ll ever gain comes directly from your own hands-on experience and mindful reflection.
What profound lessons has photography taught you on your journey? Are there any additional insights or tips you’d like to contribute to this list for fellow photographers? Share your wisdom in the comments below!