Creagerj
Incidental Artist
I joined this site when I was objectively young. This site and its members are what really got me into photography back then. Now I'm subjectively old or young depending on who you ask, so I guess I'm qualified to answer.
My first piece of advice is to take pictures of people. Ask for permission, get close, and say thank you. Subjectively, I find pictures of people to be the most compelling and memorable.
My second piece of advice is to ignore my first piece of advice. I spend half my time doing macro or architectural photography. I find those images compelling as well.
Ok, here is some real advice:
Whatever you take pictures of, find someone who will give you genuine and actionable feedback. Your mom and girlfriend/boyfriend will tell you all of your photos are good because they don't want to hurt your feelings. Random strangers on the internet will tell you all of your photos are bad because they want to hurt your feelings. A whole bunch of people in between are really indifferent and will tell you whatever they think you need to hear to leave them alone.
On that note, you will always be your own worst critic. Sometimes it takes me years to decide that a photo I wasn't happy with originally was actually not that bad. Don't beat yourself up.
Gear does not matter except when it does, which is surprisingly often. If you are looking to buy a piece of gear that will make your photos better, buy a good tripod you can tolerate schlepping around. I suppose you can save money here if you lift weights to make your heavy gear easier to carry.
On the subject of gear, it's expensive. If you really like the gear, study engineering or computer science so you can afford it. Otherwise, it's best to believe gear does not matter.
Take pictures of your friends and family often. You will be surprised by who isn't here in ten years, maybe less. This might not make you a better photographer, but you can thank me in ten years regardless.
Wear sunscreen. You can still get sunburned on an overcast day. It took me 30 years to figure that one out.
My first piece of advice is to take pictures of people. Ask for permission, get close, and say thank you. Subjectively, I find pictures of people to be the most compelling and memorable.
My second piece of advice is to ignore my first piece of advice. I spend half my time doing macro or architectural photography. I find those images compelling as well.
Ok, here is some real advice:
Whatever you take pictures of, find someone who will give you genuine and actionable feedback. Your mom and girlfriend/boyfriend will tell you all of your photos are good because they don't want to hurt your feelings. Random strangers on the internet will tell you all of your photos are bad because they want to hurt your feelings. A whole bunch of people in between are really indifferent and will tell you whatever they think you need to hear to leave them alone.
On that note, you will always be your own worst critic. Sometimes it takes me years to decide that a photo I wasn't happy with originally was actually not that bad. Don't beat yourself up.
Gear does not matter except when it does, which is surprisingly often. If you are looking to buy a piece of gear that will make your photos better, buy a good tripod you can tolerate schlepping around. I suppose you can save money here if you lift weights to make your heavy gear easier to carry.
On the subject of gear, it's expensive. If you really like the gear, study engineering or computer science so you can afford it. Otherwise, it's best to believe gear does not matter.
Take pictures of your friends and family often. You will be surprised by who isn't here in ten years, maybe less. This might not make you a better photographer, but you can thank me in ten years regardless.
Wear sunscreen. You can still get sunburned on an overcast day. It took me 30 years to figure that one out.
Charlie Lemay
Well-known
jsrokit, I have 2 decades of proof that you are underestimating what beginners are capable of. That’s the norm, sadly.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Regarding disagreements....
Quote from OP:
It sounds very familiar. It was common buzz, but came down in recent years. Even APUG has turned into Fartio because owners wants to keep same amount of users, subscribers.
Did "digicrap" took over? Well, first and foremost it was so called pro who ditched film and darkrooms. So, is digital crap after all? Depends on photographer. Most old ones were in businesses just because of complexity of the trade. With digital it is gone. Students and housewives entered "pro" territory. Mobile phones snaps from events replaces so called photojournalism. Of course it turns crap for old trade pro.
Art? Having it on film doesn't makes it art.
Sorry, only disagreements here. Feel free to call me as badass.
Quote from OP:
"digicrap", claiming to be pro in the past and bringing term "art" in photography....
It sounds very familiar. It was common buzz, but came down in recent years. Even APUG has turned into Fartio because owners wants to keep same amount of users, subscribers.
Did "digicrap" took over? Well, first and foremost it was so called pro who ditched film and darkrooms. So, is digital crap after all? Depends on photographer. Most old ones were in businesses just because of complexity of the trade. With digital it is gone. Students and housewives entered "pro" territory. Mobile phones snaps from events replaces so called photojournalism. Of course it turns crap for old trade pro.
Art? Having it on film doesn't makes it art.
Sorry, only disagreements here. Feel free to call me as badass.
D
Deleted member 65559
Guest
I'm thinking no advice is the best advice at all. My friend Craig Richards, well-known photographer and past curator of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, for many years ran programme called "Through The Lens." For 15 years he taught an out reach course to high school youth. Each year their museum show was an exciting presentation. I've felt that his passion for photography inspired the young people he worked with. Their prints were always fresh and exciting and showed the point of view from their world. I would suggest there were not many photographic constraints placed on the students & the freshness of their vision always showed.
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Have a camera that can be with you all the time.
Photograph not only what captures your interest - people, places - but everyday things. Things that appear so common in your life that you ignore it.
Make a lot of photos - don't destroy or delete them - save them to look at years later.
Get close to your subject. Then get closer.
Observe light and its interaction with your subject.
Have minimal equipment you can always have with you - one body, one lens. Learn to make the most of this.
If possible, print your photos (preferably a darkroom print). I learned the most about photography and how to improve by spending from 10pm to 6am in the darkroom and having only two decent prints to show for it (that is, the rest of my photos were crap - I had to figure out why).
Photograph not only what captures your interest - people, places - but everyday things. Things that appear so common in your life that you ignore it.
Make a lot of photos - don't destroy or delete them - save them to look at years later.
Get close to your subject. Then get closer.
Observe light and its interaction with your subject.
Have minimal equipment you can always have with you - one body, one lens. Learn to make the most of this.
If possible, print your photos (preferably a darkroom print). I learned the most about photography and how to improve by spending from 10pm to 6am in the darkroom and having only two decent prints to show for it (that is, the rest of my photos were crap - I had to figure out why).
jawarden
Well-known
My approach is to read. My advice to any young photographer who wants to make unique images would be to become a unique person with something to say. Read. Look at pictures. make pictures. It'll come.
The nice thing about 2D photography is that when you read a book about a photographer and there are photographs in the book there is no translation needed and you can grasp it intuitively as a finished work. Compare that to books on great pianists; even if there are musical scores in the book you're left wondering what it is supposed to sound like.
So get books on photography by the dozens. And the other arts too. And history. Read them all.
David Hughes
David Hughes
I know how many photos I have taken and I know many who take a lot, lot more.
So given that there are squillions of photos about just how to make them unique is beyond me; unless we use a lawyer's definition of unique but does anyone want to go down that path?
OTOH, there's a lot of books about how to take (say) travel photos, nature photos and so on. Studying them you'll soon notice what appeals and then can take off on your own. But don't take it too seriously, life should be fun.
Regards, David
So given that there are squillions of photos about just how to make them unique is beyond me; unless we use a lawyer's definition of unique but does anyone want to go down that path?
OTOH, there's a lot of books about how to take (say) travel photos, nature photos and so on. Studying them you'll soon notice what appeals and then can take off on your own. But don't take it too seriously, life should be fun.
Regards, David
Out to Lunch
Ventor
Excellent advice from Martin Parr: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg6VTRjIXmk&t=248s
I would tell them to first just relax and enjoy it because stressing about photography kills motivation. It seems people expect to be great within months. It does not happen that way. If you are very good after a few years, consider yourself very lucky. Also, photograph anything...do not worry about cliches. Make cliches until you get beyond them (and you may never do so). Just make a lot of photos trying too figure out what you want to say. Look at photo books and go to museums and galleries. I can't believe how many photographers I meet that only look at and know of a few photographers. Go back to the same places often... OFTEN! See how the light changes and how that changes everything. Do it because you love it, not because you want to something from it. Do not get caught up with technical concerns. They are only a means to an end unless you want to pursue the purely technical side of photography.
Yokosuka Mike
Abstract Clarity
The last young photographer I met was a jerk. He didn’t want any advice. Said everything he needed to know was available on youtube. Told me he bought a Nikon FF DSLR because that’s what people wanted to see when hiring a photographer for weddings and events. He bragged about overcharging clients. It was not a pleasurable experience for me. I wished I’d never met him.
If anyone meets a young photographer with an interest in what you have to say, or a desire to look at each other's images and to discuss the good and bad points of said images… well, I’d say good for you, you’ve met a remarkable young person/photographer. I'd like to meet a remarkable young photographer.
All the best,
Mike
If anyone meets a young photographer with an interest in what you have to say, or a desire to look at each other's images and to discuss the good and bad points of said images… well, I’d say good for you, you’ve met a remarkable young person/photographer. I'd like to meet a remarkable young photographer.
All the best,
Mike
Dogman
Veteran
My advice would be, "Don't quit your day job."
Fraser
Well-known
keep your finger on the button.
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
When I started back in the mid 70's we had film...B&W film...in class you might go out and shoot part of the roll and maybe later shoot the rest, then the next day or so you would develop the film, then on another day make prints...so it was a longer process to actually see your work...
That process forced me to do better and better when it came to shooting (exposure/framing/subject)...don't shoot crap because you won't have anything to print later.
Now, on the other hand, today with digital you get instant results but that may not force you to do better...in some cases it might...
I tell those who ask to LOOK at hundreds of pictures daily...find a style you like then try to shoot like that...eventually you can/will create your own style that best suites your vision.
Constantly LOOK...see things though out your day and FRAME them in your head...
Learn what should be in your image and what shouldn't be in there...learn image balance, learn DOF, perspective, shutter speeds and their differences...play with the camera, make mistakes, use the Manual Setting and slow down by using a tripod.
And like others have already stated...Shoot, shoot, shoot...
That process forced me to do better and better when it came to shooting (exposure/framing/subject)...don't shoot crap because you won't have anything to print later.
Now, on the other hand, today with digital you get instant results but that may not force you to do better...in some cases it might...
I tell those who ask to LOOK at hundreds of pictures daily...find a style you like then try to shoot like that...eventually you can/will create your own style that best suites your vision.
Constantly LOOK...see things though out your day and FRAME them in your head...
Learn what should be in your image and what shouldn't be in there...learn image balance, learn DOF, perspective, shutter speeds and their differences...play with the camera, make mistakes, use the Manual Setting and slow down by using a tripod.
And like others have already stated...Shoot, shoot, shoot...
muser53
MUSER53
What Helen said and...
Expose yourself to many other art forms. It will open your mind and help you to create new ways of seeing.
CLAdictic
Established
The days of the super great photographers is long gone. Why do I say that, simple they worked with film and various emulsions. Some were masters in the darkroom, Ansel Adams comes to mind. Today with Photoshop and other apps designed to do all sorts of things to a digital photo, you don't need to be a good photographer, just be proficient on a computer. Film is not forgiving, digital is.
Tools are tools... what makes you think capturing content and compelling framing are no longer important in photography? Also, film never died... plenty of great photographers still using it today.
markjwyatt
Well-known
Do not start with film. I repeat do NOT start with film. If you do, you may gain a strong appreciation of the craft, and though film cameras are cheaper than digital (in general), you will find our self collecting amazing cameras at amazing prices, and soon you will have to deal with them all and you will also end up with a digital. Once bit it is hard to let go. Buy a good digital camera, or use your iPhone. Take some nice pictures and enjoy your life unburdened by the photography bug.