Throughout my photography journey, I've encountered various mistakes that have served as valuable learning experiences, ultimately shaping my understanding and approach to the craft. In this article, I'll share some of these mistakes, how you can avoid them, and how they've contributed to my growth as a photographer.
The following mistakes I’ve made are ones that everyone has made at some point in their journey, whether a beginner or a passionate amateur, and may not come as news to some. However, if I had this info early on, then I know I would have been in a position to fast-track my learnings and, of course, the resulting images.
Not Having a Subject Clearly Identifiable
Initially, I struggled with compositions lacking a clearly identifiable subject. This mistake taught me the importance of identifying and emphasizing the main subject within the frame. By making mistakes that have ultimately helped me understand this skill, I've been able to create more compelling and impactful compositions, drawing viewers' attention to the focal point of my photographs. Now, I look for what I like to call the “star of the show” first; this is the main subject or star of the image. I then look for the supporting actors who will complement the scene, either by acting as leading lines or as complementary items to tie the image together. When you are composing, you avoid elements that will take the viewer's eye out of the frame. Instead, look for elements that will keep the eye within, a great example of this can be trees and branches, which can act like a natural frame within a frame. Take many shots while on location, moving 6 inches in all directions, and see the changes that they can make to your images!
Not Shooting at the Right Time
Another mistake I made was not considering the timing of my shoots. Through many mistakes, I learned the significance of capturing images during the golden hour, leveraging soft, warm light to enhance the mood and atmosphere of my photographs. Understanding the optimal times for shooting has elevated the quality of my images and allowed me to convey the desired emotions more effectively. With that being said, I have managed to capture some great images outside of these ideal times; however, I did that by being at a location well in advance and not rocking up 10 minutes before I needed to! Finally, when it comes to mood, you can get tons of it on cloudy days and at the totally wrong time, so even if you don’t get the conditions you had hoped for, take your shots regardless. If they aren’t banshees, then at least you have used it as a scouting opportunity for compositions to return to when the light does play ball!
Not Understanding the Exposure Triangle
Early on, I underestimated the importance of mastering the exposure triangle. By learning to manipulate aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings, I gained greater control over exposure and creative effects in my photographs. Understanding the exposure triangle has enabled me to overcome exposure challenges and achieve the desired results consistently. This skill has been used many times when the light or conditions change, and I need to be able to dial in settings quickly to ensure I get the shot! Take the time to fully understand how each influences the other, make mistakes of course, but learn from them! It’s best to practice in all types of light and conditions so you have the memory built up and ready to be deployed when out in the field!
Gear Isn’t the Magic Wand
Now I know we all like having the latest camera, lens, and all the trimmings; however, it is important to recognize that all of these tools will only serve us if we understand the fundamentals of photography first. If we don’t fully understand, then all that this new camera is going to do is produce a better quality bad image. Instead, I would recommend mastering the settings of even the most basic cameras first before even considering upgrading to that monster megapixel beast. Then when you do eventually upgrade, you will know what you are doing and be able to do it well.
Not Forcing Myself to Get Out of Auto Mode
Remaining in auto mode limited my creative control and hindered my photography growth. Yes, it’s very easy to just point the camera in auto mode and get a shot; however, it’s not the type of shot you may have wanted to capture. For example, when it comes to photographing water, it needs some motion to fully deliver the feeling of movement in the image; this won’t be possible unless you take control of the shutter speed, and remaining in auto won’t allow this. Auto will also pick the best ISO that it feels is needed to capture the snapshot, yes a snapshot, not an image taken by you the photographer. Transitioning to manual shooting modes empowered me to take full control of my camera settings, resulting in images that better reflect my creative vision. Embracing manual mode has unlocked new possibilities and expanded my capabilities as a photographer, and I would highly recommend you get out of auto today!
Not Shooting in Raw
For a while, I overlooked the benefits of shooting in raw format. I felt it was easier to just get the file off the camera and not have to process it later! However, by embracing raw files, I gained greater flexibility and control during post-processing. After all, raw images retain more detail and dynamic range, allowing me to fine-tune exposure, color, and other aspects of the image to achieve the desired look. A JPEG is the finished file and shouldn’t be used to edit an image unless, of course, you want to be able to take a shot and have it ready to share at a moment's notice! Shooting in raw format has enhanced the quality and versatility of my photographs. I would assume most of you reading this already are shooting in raw; however, if you’re not, then make the change.
Only Shooting at Eye Level
Initially, I tended to stick to shooting at eye level, limiting the variety and creativity of my compositions. This approach doesn’t give a different viewpoint from what we normally see and most of the time results in a boring image. Exploring different angles and perspectives has broadened my creative horizons and enriched my photography and, of course, the resulting images. By diversifying shooting perspectives, I've been able to capture more dynamic and visually engaging images that stand out from the crowd. If you rock up to a location, place your tripod at eye level, and put your camera on to take the shot, you are missing out. The ground below you can contain the missing elements to complete the image; fallen branches, rocks, streams, and many other items can elevate your images as they can all be the supporting actors in your play. Finally, by getting lower, you can enable small items to become larger in the frame.
Buying Cheap Tripods
Investing in cheap tripods proved to be a mistake that compromised the stability and reliability of my photography equipment. Recognizing the importance of quality tripod support, I upgraded to a sturdy and durable tripod, ensuring stable support and consistent results in various shooting conditions. You’ve spent thousands on a camera and possibly the same on a lens, but to then place that investment at the mercy of a $50 tripod makes no sense! The risk of it falling over is high, plus if you are attempting to do some long exposures, then the chances of success are going to be slim as this cheaper tripod simply won’t remain solid during the time of exposure. Add into the mix wind and uneven ground, and you’re heading for a world of problems. Investing in a quality tripod has been a worthwhile investment; treat it as an essential part of your gear and invest wisely! My epiphany came after losing a camera, lens, and filters to the sea. Making the change resulted in contributing to the overall improvement of my photography and enjoyment!
In conclusion, each of these mistakes has played a crucial role in shaping my photography journey and enhancing my skills as a photographer. Embracing these learning experiences and applying the lessons learned has been instrumental in my growth and development. My advice to you is to embrace mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth, as they can ultimately lead to significant improvements in your craft. I’ve certainly made many, but hopefully, you won’t have to!
