5 Beginner Photography Mistakes to Avoid: Lessons Learned from My Own Experience
As someone who dabbled in various genres of photography, from food to landscapes and portraits and everything in between, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to take great photos. There are so many features to master, and it's easy to be overwhelmed.
I made many mistakes when taking photos, just like everyone else. But I soon realized that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process and that, with some effort, I could overcome them. Here are some things I learned in my humble beginnings when I shot exclusively on my phone that led me to progress over time.
One mistake I made, in particular, was with focus. Taking great portraits was easy with the camera app's portrait mode, but I soon learned that it may only yield the best results sometimes. I took many photos to see how the feature worked and experimented with different focal lengths and focusing techniques, such as using the focus lock feature, to ensure my images were sharp and focused. I played around with the aperture settings to see how much the photo was in focus and what areas weren't, which helped me.
Another mistake I kept making was my overreliance on flash. I soon learned that the flash can create harsh and unflattering lighting in my images, which can sometimes cause a glare. To overcome this, I started experimenting with natural lighting sources, such as windows and lamps, to improve lighting conditions. I also learned about different lighting techniques, such as backlighting, to understand how the placement and positioning of the light can create more visually appealing images.
When it came to composition, I used to snap a photo without much thought. However, I later found that composition is an essential aspect of photography that can help create visually appealing images. To overcome this, I started using the grid lines feature on my camera settings to help me create a more well-balanced image. As a result, it forced me to learn how to use composition techniques such as leading lines and the rule of thirds to make visually appealing photos.
Inconsistent exposure was also a common mistake when taking a series of images. This would result in images that had different brightness levels, making the series look disjointed and unprofessional. To overcome this, I learned how to adjust my camera's exposure settings and lock the exposure to avoid inconsistent exposure. Understanding what HDR (high dynamic range) mode is and how it looks when turned on really put everything together when looking back at my older photos that we're overexposed. I also habitually checked my exposure settings before taking a series of images to ensure consistency.
When I started using editing apps, I often over-processed my images, resulting in an unnatural and unappealing look. To overcome this, I learned how to use editing apps to make basic adjustments and enhance my images without over-processing them. I also made it a habit of having a clear goal before editing an image, which helped me avoid over-processing.
Making mistakes is normal, and it's part of the learning process. As someone continually learning about photography, I understand the frustration of making mistakes, but it's important to stay curious and keep practicing. By experimenting, learning from my mistakes, and developing good habits, I overcame these mistakes and became a better photographer. I hope these suggestions help you overcome your mistakes and become a great photographer!
