Tips for improving “Yours Photography”
- You can improve your skills by shooting every day. The best camera you have is the one in your hand, so if you aren’t out with your full DSLR kit, don’t be afraid to take great photos with your cell phone camera or a point-and-shoot.Yours Photography is photography, make pictures with a camera. Any camera.
- Keep your camera close at hand. I can recall two incredible scenes that were indelibly etched in my memory. My camera broke while I was at sea. It was impossible to reach the second because I was flying. To capture these moments, I’ve thought about learning how to paint or draw.
- Your manual. Although they aren’t very engaging, manuals can teach you a lot about your camera. Spend some time with your manual, and you will become more familiar with your camera. This will make it easier to photograph every day.
- You should check your settings and know your gear. I’ve been tempted to write the following note on a sticker to attach to my LCD screen: “Check Your ISO, Dummy.” I could have a nickel for every time I took a photo outside with my ISO set at 800 after I shot the previous evening in dark restaurants.
- I hope this counts! Not all websites and photo books are created equal. You should find writers you can connect with through their writing, and those who offer good advice. I love “basic yours Photography” books. I have Neon Shoes a Masters in the subject and still fill my bookshelf full of inspirational books for beginners.
- Make images by yourself / Learn / Workshops Attend a class. Take part in a workshop. These workshops are similar to websites and books, but they all have one thing in common: They should immerse you into photography for at least a night, a weekend, or longer.
- Symmetry. In the same vein, you need to make sure that you achieve symmetry. You can move a few inches in the wrong direction and it will cause the image to be unsymmetrical. Your audience (and yourself) will notice that you didn’t achieve symmetry. Yours photography can be a game about inches.
- Robert Capa once famously stated, “If your photos aren’t good enough, then you aren’t close enough.” If possible, fill your frame with the subject. This is one of photography’s most difficult tasks. We worry about being intrusive to strangers, or we may lazy reach for a Telephoto lens to pretend we were closer. See your imagery improve by getting closer.
