Photography as either a hobby or a professional is fun, rewarding, and profitable, so you might be wondering how to get started in photography? Is it as simple as getting the best camera on the market and taking photos? Sadly, no. Getting a start on your photography career is not all about the money; even if you purchase the best equipment in the world, you won’t be able to produce good pictures if you don’t take the time to learn how to take them. What’s more, if you dive into photography without learning all about the equipment and how to use them, it’s very easy to get overwhelmed with all the possible choices available out there.
This guide will help you know how to start photography as a career or as a hobby, and what kind of equipment would be best suited for you.
Determine What Kind of Photography You Want to Do
The first question that you need to ask yourself is, “how much am I willing to invest in photography?” There will be a huge difference in the amount of money and studying that you need to invest if you will take up photography as a hobby versus taking it up as a professional career. In general, you will be investing significantly more money in your equipment and studies if you want to take up photography professionally. However, some passionate amateurs are willing to spend thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars on their hobby.
Here is another thing that you need to consider: whether you’re interested in film or digital photography, either one will represent a considerable investment in your time and money if you want to do it correctly.
Do Your Homework
Do you know what will make your choice easier when it comes to knowing how to get started in photography? Read up on the subject as much as you can! Luckily, there are so many available resources available both online and in books. There are countless articles and blogs online that teach photography, as well as dozens of YouTube tutorials. You can even take an online Masterclass from world-renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz! Even if you don’t choose the online route, you can use offline resources such as coffee table books, manuals, or even joining a photography class.
Doing your research before investing any money in equipment or time in learning the different styles and techniques of photography will give you a better idea of what kind of photography you want to master.
Try Different Kinds
In learning how to get started in photography it is important to explore your choices. If you are lucky enough to know what kind of photography you want to do (i.e., fashion, nature, etc.), then you’re one of the lucky ones. However, if you’re unsure, why not try your hand at different kinds of photography to see which one speaks to you? What’s more, you can also learn different variations such as macro, micro, or time-lapse.
Trying your hand at different kinds of photography not only opens you up to different techniques and styles, but it will also give you a good idea of how to get started in the photography style that you want to pursue.
Choose the Best Equipment for You
Once you’ve narrowed down the field of photography that you want to master, it is time to purchase the equipment. As a beginner, it is easy to get overwhelmed with all the choices out there, from camera bodies to lenses, to accessories such as tripods and filters. Building up your photography “arsenal” can be expensive, so even if money is not an issue, you still need to be smart when it comes to choosing your equipment.
At a glance, here are some of the equipment that you will need:
- Camera
- Lens
- Tripod
- Lights/Flash
- Camera Bag
The type of photography that you will pursue will determine what kind of equipment you need. If you want to specialize in wildlife photography, for example, you will need to purchase long-distance telephoto lenses and a camera that can handle extreme weather and varying light conditions. On the other hand, if you want to specialize in sports photography, you need a camera that can capture fast movement.
One of the best ways to choose your equipment is to research what kind of equipment well-known photography professionals are using to be able to find the closest equivalent that you can afford. With this, you are getting the tools you need in learning how to get started in photography.
Never Underestimate the Power of Post-Processing
Here is a secret that most beginners fail to understand when it comes to photography: no good photo is ever finished without post-processing. This means that you will need to also invest time and money to learn how to use post-processing programs such as Photoshop and Lightroom. Post-processing can make or break a photo, and at the hands of an expert, a good photograph can be transformed into a spectacular one.
As with learning how to handle your equipment, you can use various online resources to learn how to use post-processing software. Once you have mastered a particular program, you will be able to adjust every part of your photographs to get the best possible image.
It is a Process
Learning how to master photography is a never-ending process, and as the world-famous photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson once quoted, “your first 10,000 photographs are your worst”. As you invest more time and effort in your photography, you will learn how to create depth and contrast in your photos to give it life, color, and movement. Here’s how to learn more about photography.
Conclusion
Yes, it can be scary and daunting when you think about how to get started in photography, but the important thing is that you START! Even if all you have at your disposal right now is your mobile phone and a free photo editing software, these tools will be enough to give your career that push that it needs.