50 Quick Photography Tips in Less Than 15 Minutes
Kai over at DigitalRev put together this video that offers photography advice in burst mode: 50 (or 49) short and sweet tips in less than 15 minutes. If you take yourself too seriously, be warned: the tips are presented in Kai’s trademark “infotainment” style.
- UV filters are a waste of time
- Lens hoods aren't a necessity
- If you're not using the hood, put it away
- Don't treat your DSLR like it's your baby
- Stop hating on others
- Get cheap lens caps
- Pack light
- Use a zoom for convenience
- Prime will make you think more
- The 35mm is the most practical one lens setup (on the 1.5 crop)
- The 50mm looks better
- Better cameras don’t make better photos
- Know how your camera works before you go out to shoot
- Always be ready for the shot
- P-mode isn't just for beginners
- Bump the ISO if needed
- Auto ISO is your best friend
- Rely on the Rule of Thirds
- Take lots of shots
- Don't take photos of any old sh*t
- "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough" — Robert Capa
- Contemplate your shot
- The best equipment doesn't help if you're not standing in the right spot
- Sharpness is overrated
- Concept is king
- Don't look like a wrongun (i.e. a creep)
- Don't drink and shoot
- Shoot when you're full of energy
- Sometimes it feels great to wake up really early and shoot
- Think about what light you want
- Emulate the style of the greats to get started
- …but don't keep doing it
- Photography is as much a reflection of the person taking the photo
- Shoot to please no one apart from yourself
- Discreet or direct — it isn't all that important
- Setting themes keeps you focused
- Change things every once in a while to keep things fresh
- Everyone has creative blocks
- Be critical of yourself
- "Seeing is not enough, you have to feel what you photograph" — Andre Kertesz
- You need to be there with the camera
- The relationship is about you and the subject, not you and the camera
- Stop chimping
- Be brutal when it comes to deleting awful photos
- Show only your best work
- Changing photos to B&W doesn't make an uninteresting shot interesting
- Look at other people's work
- Post your work online, let others critique your work
- There is no easy way
- ???
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