Do you feel like your photography skills are slipping? It is a reality for all of us. Then, you’re zipping around, learning new techniques and improving your ability to compose and light with a vengeance And then you’re smacking against an artistic wall.
But don’t worry! There isn’t a single magical solution to improve your photography skills, I have a variety of methods and exercises specifically designed to help you build up your abilities, and that’s the reason I’m sharing them within this post.
It is important to note that different strategies are more effective for different shooters. If you aren’t a fan of a technique you don’t like, simply leave it out and go on. With luck you’ll come across a strategy that you like and you’ll have the chance to get your creative juices flowing again.
Let’s get started!
1. Visit an art gallery
It’s impossible to understate the importance of appreciation for art for photographers. A lot of photographers tend to distinguish the more traditional art media (e.g. painting) from photography, yet they’re inextricably linked – and If you’re looking to get more proficient at taking photos, be a student and admirer from the field of photography.
Go to a museum, and spend the time studying the work of famous artists. Better yet, bring an eraser and a piece of paper along. If a work of art catches your attention, write down your reasons. Note everything you like about it, as well as the reason behind the art. If you come across a piece that you aren’t a fan of note that also.
Art museums are found in all major cities. In fact, many towns have multiple museums! If you’re not sure if there’s an art museum near you, I suggest to conduct a little searching. (Also look into local colleges.)
In addition there are many museums that are also free (or complimentary on specific dates). If your museum isn’t open to visitors, you may nevertheless be in a position to access it without having to pay; for instance that if you own an account with a credit or debit card with Bank of America, you are able to get free admission at over 100 museums throughout the United States.
2. Explore different perspectives
Have a restful day and concentrate on enhancing your perspective. Focus on various cameras angles and reflect on the reasons they work. If you have angles you’ve not previously tried and I’m sure you have! Try these angles. The only limit is by the degree to which you’re willing to step out of your comfortable zone.
If you’re shooting an portrait session, take an extension ladder. If you don’t have a ladder take a climb on a tree or locate an angle over your subject’s head. This will not only give you a unique style and perspective, but shooting from above can be pleasing to the subject’s appearance.
If you’re photographing flowers, you should consider taking them from below. Although this might seem dirty, I’m confident that it’s satisfying. Try varying the angles of the sun to take advantage of the transparency of the petals of the flowers as the sun shines down.
A new perspective can nearly always give you the creative boost you’re looking for When you explore new angles with your camera and angles, you can add some interesting effects to your photography toolbox.
3. Visit your local Zoo
A trip to the zoo is among of my most favorite activities as a photographer, primarily since I’m taking it just for my own enjoyment. There is no sense of pressure and don’t have a client who’s looking for a specific type of photo. I’m not compelled to achieve a certain style or feel to my images. There’s me and my camera and many exotic creatures, which is an ideal recipe for plenty of fun and creativity.
Additionally, a lot of zoos are affordable, and the majority have one each weekday when you can enter for half price.
This is a test If you are taking Zoo photos Try to hide the fact that the animals are in enclosures. That is try to think outside the box in framing your photos so as to avoid cages, bars and glass.
It can be challenging sometimes, but it’s highly satisfying. If you are confronted by an unnatural-looking fence, fake rock or toy, alter your perspective until you have the best arrangement (or at times avoid taking the photo). This will help you improve your frame-making skills and I guarantee that you’ll be having a blast!
4. Use a memory card that is small.
It may seem difficult If you’re committed to improving your photography, I suggest you to reduceyour options. That’s right, minimize. While the ability to take thousands of photos is great but it also can dull your creativity. Because you’re able to capture nearly unlimited photos, it’s simple to begin shooting images throughout the day. And even if you have a few keepers but you’ll never really improve your abilities.
Think about this the next moment you’re on the road and taking pictures but not for a customer Of course! Try using the smallest memory card that you have. Pick one that permits you to record a small number of images and avoid taking another card.
(If you have only large capacity cards, you may want to consider setting a limit for your mind of 25-50 images for the day. However, make sure you know the limit prior to leaving and, no matter what you do, adhere the limit!)
Once you have a limit on yourself, you’ll have to take a moment to consider every photo you make. You’ll pay close focus on composition, light and camera settings and you’ll think deeply about how amazing images are made.
5. Keep your camera with you everywhere you go.
In the book The Visual Poetry, Chris Orwig writes “Even without taking photos having a camera in your bag can enhance your the quality of your life.”
I could not be more pleased. The camera in your bag is an instant method of putting your senses in high alert. It forces you to take in the world like your camera was pressed against your eyes. It is a good motive to slack off and be aware of everything regardless of the location you’re in.
Take your camera wherever you go for a specific amount of time. Photographs you take knowing that no one else will be able to see them. Photograph everyday objects and moments which would normally not require photographs. It’s important to view these things in a different way and then discover a way to make them more interesting. Even if all you do is use your phone camera to take pictures, this is a great way to enhance your creativity.
6. Always start as a novice
If you think you’re the most proficient when it comes to anything (or even the most successful in your group) then you’re unreachable. Instead, realize that you’ve got plenty to master. Always keep your mind set to be a novice!
I’ve come across a lot of people who believe they’re experts. You attempt to tell them what you’ve learned and they claim they already knew about it. Or, they are unwilling to learn any new information because they believe that they have the best idea. It’s an end to your imagination.
No matter what your skill level Set off your self-confidence and be prepared to learn from other people. Join a local camera club. Participate in an online community. You may be in the top position of your shooting, but I’m betting that you have a lot you can learn from shooters who are less skilled.
7. Pick a color
Here’s a fun creative exercise:
Pick a color. Create an art portfolio using the color you choose as a design. (If you have the time make it with multiple colors!)
For example, if you decide to go with blue, search out subjects that have lots of blue shades. Take pictures near the water or aim your camera toward the sky. Keep shooting until the sky changes to into a beautiful melancholy blue. You can find walls with textures that have been decorated with different shades of blue and shades.
If you pick yellow, look for an area of sunflowers, or arrange the banana and pineapple still-life. Straight into the sun, soaking your frame with golden sun.
The objective will be to have you thinking about the potential of colors in your photographs. The ability to work with color is a talent that a lot of photographers lack, yet this can create a massive difference in your photography.
Note you can make the color evident in post-processing by carefully saturating it!
8. You can shadow a photographer that you admire.
Most of the time photographers are pleasant generous and kind people. There are some who aren’t willing to give up their time of the day for a photographer in search of a mentor however, there are some who are extremely accommodating.
Find a photographer who inspires you, and then build an association with them. Take them to lunch. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll be capable of learning from the person, and perhaps even be able to shadow them.
Take them on an outdoor photo shoot and then offer them food or drinks afterwards. The process of becoming a skilled photographer isn’t an easy path to walk on by yourself but having a coach could mean the difference between a successful and a failure.
If you’re looking to take things one step further, you can ask them to hold the lights for them for their photo shoots or to carry their equipment around. You’ll learn a lot by being aware of the way they communicate with clients. If they are photographers of landscapes it is the same; provide them with their equipment while they look for locations they shoot. Be attentive to what they’re doing and ensure you note down what you see!
9. Learn about (and try to practice using) The golden ratio
Also called the golden mean also known as the divine proportion as well as the rule of phi this golden ratio is a discovery by the Fibonacci mathematician. It is present in architecture, nature and art. It’s an aspect that makes things more appealing to the eyes of a human and can be used by it to help improve your compositions.
Golden ratio essentially what’s known as the rules of thirds with a swell of. There are many useful overlays that you can utilize to begin composing using this golden ratio your mind I’d suggest you study the golden spiral and phi grid.
Go out with your camera and try. Try to create some compositions with a golden ratio, and then take a look at how the pictures might change if you utilized an alternative composition method like rules of thirds instead. My experience has taught me that getting educated on subjects such as the golden ratio can dramatically improve your chances of creating images that will attract the interest of viewers.
10. Find a place that is unfamiliar and stay to it
If there’s an option in your camera that you’re not familiar with, take your camera and switch to the setting you’re unfamiliar with. You should then promise yourself to keep using the setting until you’re completely confident with it.
It is possible to use this method to master many different camera features, for example, in-camera focus-stacking tracking AF, or even your the preview of depth however I find it particularly beneficial if you’re using your camera’s Auto mode.