I had just graduated from the University of Kentucky, picked up a camera again, and dusted off a hobby I had left on the shelf for years. I wanted to get back at it; I made it my goal to become a great photographer.
Now, two years later, after experiencing many amazing trips, collaborating with several large brands, and accumulating over 45 thousand followers on social media, it’s safe to say that my photography has taken off.
But hear me when I say this: I’m not special. I’m a normal guy from Louisville, Kentucky with a serious passion for adventure, the outdoors, travel, and most importantly, inspiring others through creating. Anyone can learn to be good photographer. Like any craft, it takes time, practice, and dedication to hone the skills you need.
However, sometimes, the hardest part about trying something is taking those initial first steps. So, to help you get started, here are four steps that you can take as you begin your begin honing your photography skills. These steps set me up to be a better photographer. I hope they do the same for you.
1. Determine what kind of photographer you want to be
There are countless options out there: event, lifestyle, landscape, portrait, product, real estate, sports, wildlife. The list goes on and on. It’s important to narrow down what you want to shoot. Creating your identity as a photographer will allow for you to plan and purchase the right camera, lenses, and equipment necessary to shoot successfully. I set my sights on landscape and portrait primarily, and so that meant I needed to build up to a full frame, FX format body, with a great ISO capabilities, reliable low light performance, and accurate autofocus.
I knew I wanted to invest in wide-angle, telephoto, and prime lenses. But that may not be the case for you. You may be interested in wildlife or sports, and a DX format, crop-sensor body might be an advantage for you, as it gives you that extra 1.5x zoom when using FX lenses, and allows for you to get closer to your subject. You may want to give mirrorless cameras a try if you desire superb photo and video quality in a smaller, lightweight package. Each camera focus has a path that needs specific planning, so you have to decide which trail you want to take to get to where you want to go. Determine your path first.
2. Research, learn, and plan
Once you determine what you want to shoot, it’s time to learn and research your first steps. The internet is mecca of information for photography. Going somewhere like the Adorama Learning Center or AdoramaTV will allow for you to learn all you need to know. From bodies to lenses, tripods to camera bags, you can really determine the best out there for price range and your area of focus.
Make a gear wish list and rent the equipment from someone you can trust, like Adorama.com, before you buy online. Remember, this is a serious investment. You wouldn’t just buy a car on the spot would you? You’d test drive it and get a feel for how it performs. The same goes for your camera equipment. It is the vehicle that will carry your photography, so make sure you love it and can drive it well.
3. Invest in quality glass before a quality camera body
I know, I know. There are some amazing camera bodies out there. They have the sexy specs and features that make you want to empty your piggy bank or write a blank check. But I always tell people, if you want to teach yourself how to be a great photographer, you have to invest in quality glass first. Let’s use the human body for example. You can have the most fantastic body and a mind that is fast and effective, but without healthy eyes that allow for strong vision and sight, it doesn’t matter how amazing your body and brain is. You see, your lenses are your camera’s eyes. You need to invest in them first, and as you evolve and mature as a photographer, you can eventually upgrade to that professional level camera body you’ve been waiting for. My first camera I ever bought was a Nikon D5500, which is the farthest thing from a professional camera. But I slowly invested into several quality lenses, which was better for my wallet and allowed me to shoot and learn with a variety of different lens styles. Remember, it doesn’t matter where you start, as long as you grow with glass.
Step 4: Get out there and start shooting
Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, said it best about experiences: “I’ve met a lot of young people who asked me what books to read or films to watch. I think that is a good way to start, but there’s no substitute for just going there.”
The number one thing that taught me to be a better photographer was just getting out there and doing it. I immersed myself in opportunities to test and hone my skills that were very elementary when I began. Right after I graduated, I decided to take a 22-day road trip with a few friends across the beautiful, western United States. That trip developed my skills and made me fall in love with landscape photography. It was a catalyst for my work, and now, I can’t even count how many places I’ve experienced or trips I’ve taken that have taught me to shoot in challenging conditions, make quick decisions, and adjust on the fly. Sometimes you have to get up at the crack of dawn to catch the alpenglow and sunrise over the mountains or stay up late to capture the Milky Way at the perfect position in the night sky. You have to experience freezing fingers and tired eyes, and maybe a fall or two into a frigid alpine lake while wading to the perfect little island that seems tailor-made for your shot. You just have to go for it.
Stop thinking about it and do it. You won’t get the best photos right off the bat, but the progress you make will be rewarding as your practice and improve. Nothing beats capturing a perfect moment that will live forever in a photo. So get out there and start shooting.
