New photographers should check out this Reddit thread filled with priceless advice.
Starting out in photography can be incredibly challenging, and for most people, incredibly overwhelming as well. Once you get past the headache of picking out your first camera and first lens, you have to deal with learning about composition, the exposure triangle, editing, and so much more. Going at it alone can be tough, but thanks to a new thread on Reddit, you can get hints, tips, and some priceless advice on what to avoid doing. If you know some new photographers or you are a new photographer yourself who needs some guidance, join us after the break to find out more about this incredible thread.
The thread, which was started on Reddit on December 3rd, 2019, already has a few hundred comments posted to it by those who want to share their experiences from when they were new photographers. We all know photography is a minefield that can throw you for a loop if you’re not careful, so having a thread like this can help newcomers avoid common mistakes and will be a blessing to many.
After reading through the entire thread, it’s clear there are some great tips here, and there is no doubt that a lot of the responses will help newbies skip some of the common pitfalls new photographers can find themselves in. This response from Brennenslens hits on multiple things many new photographers (heck, even experienced photographers) wonder about; I especially agree with the statement about tripods:
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You don’t need full-frame, and nearly all the benefits are oversold for the majority of users, especially if you’re just posting drastically compressed JPEGS to Instagram. A Lambo is faster than a Prius, but both of them will get you to the grocery store in the same amount of time
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Shooting everything wide-open as soon as you get your first fast prime looks silly in many situations
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Save money for a good tripod you’ll buy once, rather than buying a cheap one that you’ll end up replacing anyway
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Instagram isn’t for photography and your best work will never get as much attention as some co-ed posting bathroom selfies in a bikini
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Used gear will save you hundreds
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Learn your camera until you can operate it in the dark. If you can’t adjust your settings on the fly, practice until you can. Once you can adjust on “autopilot”, you can spend your time worrying about the creative elements involved rather than where that one dial or button is
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Manual does not equal “professional”
This response from DJ-EZCheese is excellent too, as learning about light and how you can control it will open up many doors:
“Don’t waste so much time and money chasing fancier cameras and lenses. In most cases the improvements are minimal. Processing skills are important, but understanding light is huge. Start concentrating on lighting as soon as possible.”
If you’re looking for some insight, or if you have anything you would like to share with new photographers and the photography community at large, head to the thread and check it out. Alternatively, share some helpful hints and tips that could help out newcomers in the comment section below.
