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Many people who want to learn photography don’t know where to start. Without a bit of background knowledge, it’s hard to understand all the photography related terms and concepts, and that can slow your learning curve. With some exploration of articles, tutorials, videos, and hands-on shooting, you’ll soon have a solid grasp of the basics of photography.
Photography is a hobby you can absolutely teach yourself. Trial and error and frequent practice will help you along as you get comfortable with concepts like exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and more. The first step is buying a camera and a few accessories to use as you grow your skills.
Start learning photography by studying the work of renowned photographers and choosing the type of photography you prefer. Learning will be much easier if you focus on a single genre of photography. Furthermore, many professional photographers have websites, blogs, and social media accounts, so you can follow their activities, observe their workflow, and learn from their experiences.
Then, gather relevant materials, such as photography books and albums, online resources, camera tutorials, and so on. It’s essential to get familiar with your camera and learn the basics of composition. However, it’s equally important to expose yourself to art as much as possible. Visit art museums and photo exhibitions and practice the art of seeing the world put in a frame.
Contrary to popular belief, photography isn’t always an expensive hobby. You can learn the craft with whatever camera you have on you and without having to spend a dime. Of course, formal lessons come at a price, but there are many alternatives for you to learn photography and improve your skills without having to spend too much.
One of the first steps in getting into photography is to learn the ropes with your camera. Depending on your gear of choice, it’s easy to get confused by all the buttons, menus, and dials, but they basically work the same in giving you well-exposed images.
When it comes to learning basic camera terminology, it all starts with the parts of a camera and the shutter speed, aperture, and focal length. As you go along, it helps to understand how the exposure triangle works, too, so that you can gain a much better understanding of how cameras work. In turn, you should have an easier time understanding your own gear. But let’s now break down those three crucial terms.
Aperture refers to the opening in the lens that allows light into the camera body. Settings of the aperture are referred to as f/stop (aka f-stop). A larger aperture, or wider opening, has a smaller f/stop number. A smaller aperture, or a narrower opening, has a larger f/stop number.
Shutter speed refers to the amount of time the shutter remains open. It matters because the longer the shutter is open, the more light is allowed into the camera. Shutter speed is measured in whole seconds or fractions of seconds. ISO refers to the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor to light.
Focal length is a measurement used to describe different lenses and their capabilities in terms of angle of view and distance. Wide angle lenses have shorter focal lengths like 8mm or 22mm. Telephoto lenses have longer focal lengths like 600mm, and can bring far away objects into view. A zoom lens is capable of multiple focal lengths, while a prime lens features a single constant focal length.
One of the best ways to learn about photography is with other photo hobbyists. Try joining a camera club or taking a basic photography class at a local camera store, arts center, or library.
There are many ways that you can get formal training in photography. Do a quick search or ask around about organizations that hold photography workshops in your community. They’re great sources of knowledge not only in photography as an art but also in the technical aspects of working cameras and other photography gear, like lenses and lighting equipment.
Some workshops offer lessons for free while others require an enrollment fee in exchange for a certificate or in-class mentoring sessions with a professional. After attending the basic workshop, you can choose to continue and have intermediate classes that will help you further improve your craft.
For those who don’t have the time or resources to enroll in a workshop, there are tons of websites that you can visit for free online photography classes. It may be challenging to find advanced lessons without paying a fee, but basic courses should be able to teach you all you need to know to get started in photography.
For many professionals, experience was their best teacher. As soon as you’ve gotten the hang of your camera, look for a local group of aspiring photographers that you can join for practice photo shoots and photowalks. Or, you can form your own group, as there will surely be other people who are looking for like-minded individuals that they can explore the world of photography with.
Being around other photographers encourages you to share tips, tricks, and knowledge with each other, so it will surely be a good learning experience and a perfect opportunity for you to find and develop your own style.
Many established photographers offer free tutorials and behind-the-scenes access via social media. By following photographers whose work you admire, you can learn key concepts and get new ideas for your work. Try following artists on social media who take a variety of different photographs wherever they go. Also, consider following people who do a variety of work from food and travel to sports and portraits.
Follow your passion and continuously learn your craft by watching video tutorials on streaming sites like YouTube. You’re sure to find everything that you need, from camera functions and lighting setups to compositional tips that will help you capture better-looking images. Aside from having thousands of videos to choose from, it’s free and easily accessible. Check out Adorama’s YouTube channel, AdoramaTV, for a wide selection of educational photography videos featuring many of today’s expert photographers.
With the Internet at your fingertips, there’s virtually nothing that you can’t learn.
You can enroll in multiple classes, join more than one photo group, and learn photography online, but you won’t be able to utilize what you’ve learned if you don’t practice it as often as you can. Aside from making time to hone your skills, make it a habit to bring a handy camera with you whenever you leave the house. You’ll never know when the opportunity for a picture-perfect moment will present itself, and you may even have the chance to take some amazing street photography shots.
Even after months or years of mastering photography, there will always be room for improvement. Don’t stop once you’ve understood and mastered pro-level work, such as capturing starry night skies or doing high-speed photography. Instead, continue the learning process and find ways to challenge yourself to become even better. Challenge yourself to try out different photography niches, like macro photography and events photography, to expand your knowledge and push your creative boundaries.
In the advent of more affordable digital cameras with impressive specs, not to mention social media and photo-sharing apps, the current generation has inevitably developed a liking for taking and appreciating pictures. And for some people, it inspires them to really practice the art and invest time in developing serious photography skills, and get started on their journey of beginner photography.
If you’re an aspiring photographer, you’ve come to the right place. Below you’ll find a couple of fun and easy ways to learn more about photography.
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DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and film cameras offer the most control with a variety of manual camera settings while lower-end cameras—like compact digital cameras and camera phones—offer very basic, automatic controls. Know your camera’s features, characteristics, and limitations before snapping away. You can do this by thoroughly perusing your camera manual, watching video tutorials, reading informational articles online, and more.
It isn’t hard to learn photography, but it is hard to become an established professional photographer. If learning photography is something you want for your benefit (e.g., as a hobby or a way of enhancing your creativity), you only need to know the basics of photography, and that’s not hard to learn.
But if you want to transform photography into a full-time job, you need to dig deep into the art and philosophy of photography. And that might take some time and effort. In this case, how to learn photography is not your only concern. You also need to learn how to plan your photo sessions, follow a concept or brief, find clients, exhibit your work, and sell.
Yes, there are plenty of famous self-taught photographers who don’t have a degree in photography. Ansel Adams, for example, learned photography by himself at the age of 14 when his father gave him a camera on a trip to Yosemite Park. Likewise, Anne Geddes wanted to learn photography to photograph her children and soon became the world’s most famous baby photographer.
Attending a photography school is the best answer to the question of how to learn photography fast. You receive well-structured information, a learning schedule, homework, and feedback. As photography teachers are often photographers themselves, you benefit from their practical advice and experience. Furthermore, you get to know other students, receive peer reviews, and collaborate on group projects and exhibitions.
In school, not only that you learn photography on a general level, but you also specialize in a particular photographic genre or technique, learn about photography philosophy, and expand your art knowledge. You are continuously challenged and, for that reason, progress quickly.
However, photography schools have their share of drawbacks. The main disadvantage is the risk of choosing a bad school with a poor curriculum or inexperienced teachers. As photography is fashionable, many photography schools appeared overnight, promising outstanding results fast and at the lowest cost. Make sure you research the school thoroughly before enrolling.
Another problem is the hidden costs. Some schools with low fees charge you for additional materials, taking tests, receiving feedback, or earning a certificate. Ensure all information is transparent and the school has good reviews and appreciated support service.
Learning and practicing photography can very well be one of the best things that you can do for yourself. Like other forms of art, it is a great tool for emotional and mental wellness. Not only can it make you feel good and teach you several profound life lessons and skills like patience and perseverance, but it also helps you de-stress and gain perspective after a busy work week. It will take you places (sometimes literally) and open you up to a whole new world through the viewfinder.
Good luck!
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