Don’t Make These 10 Photography Mistakes When Starting Out

Photography is a complex art form that can be both challenging and rewarding. In this article, I will mention ten common photography mistakes that beginners often make, along with practical advice on how to avoid them. Whether you are shooting with a smartphone or a professional camera, these tips will help you to develop your skills and create more compelling images.

Mistake #1: Not understanding their camera

One of the most common mistakes that beginner photographers make is not taking the time to get to know their cameras. Getting familiar with the features and capabilities of the camera is essential to producing high-quality images and making the most of the equipment.

The first step in understanding the camera is to read the user manual thoroughly. This may seem boring, but trust me, it will be useful. It’s essential to know how to set the camera’s basic functions, such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, as well as more advanced features, such as exposure compensation and metering modes.

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Another way to learn about the camera is to experiment with the settings and features. Taking the time to practice with different settings and modes can provide a better understanding of how they work and how they impact the final image. It’s essential to learn how to make changes quickly, as opportunities for great shots can be fleeting.

It’s also crucial to understand the limitations of the camera. Knowing the camera’s capabilities and weaknesses can help photographers avoid mistakes and make the most of the equipment. For example, a slow lens is not appropriate for low-light work unless there is a tripod available.

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Taking the time to understand the camera’s settings and features is essential for any beginner photographer. It can help photographers produce higher-quality images and make the most of their equipment. Reading the user manual, experimenting with settings, and understanding the camera’s limitations are all important steps in mastering the camera.

Mistake #2: Not paying attention to the lighting

Lighting is one of the most critical factors in photography, and it’s essential for beginner photographers to understand how it affects their images. Not paying attention to lighting can result in poorly exposed, dull, and lifeless photos.

One of the essential things to understand about lighting is its direction and intensity. Light can come from various directions — front, back, side, and overhead. Different directions of light can create different moods and textures in the image. For example, side lighting can create dramatic shadows and highlights, while front lighting (e.g., a built-in flash) can flatten the image and leave harsh shadows.

It’s also important to consider the colour temperature of the light source. Different light sources have different colour temperatures, which can affect the mood and overall feel of the image. For example, natural daylight is cooler and bluer than incandescent light, which is warmer and more yellow (you’re old enough to have seen a real tungsten bulb, right?).

Struggling with white balance
And some thoughts on the rule of thirds

Another crucial factor in lighting is its quality, which can be hard or soft. Hard light creates harsh shadows, while soft light creates diffused, gentle shadows. The quality of light can impact the mood and atmosphere of the image.

Beginner photographers should take the time to understand and experiment with different lighting situations. It’s essential to observe and analyse the light in the scene and adjust the camera settings accordingly.

Take a flashlight in a dark room and move it around an apple. Note how the shadows and the highlights appear depending on the angle. Try with other objects, as well.

Understanding the direction, colour temperature, and type of light is essential for creating dynamic and visually appealing photos.

Mistake #3: Relying too much on automatic settings

While cameras are equipped with automatic settings, relying too heavily on them can limit the potential of the images. Automatic settings can be helpful in some situations, but they may not always produce the best results. Beginner photographers may fall into the trap of relying too much on automatic settings and miss out on opportunities to create more dynamic and visually appealing images.

One of the main drawbacks of automatic settings is that they are not always accurate. The camera may not always interpret the scene correctly, resulting in an overexposed or underexposed image. Automatic settings can also limit creativity and experimentation, as the camera may not always produce the desired results.

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To avoid relying too much on automatic settings, beginner photographers should take the time to learn how to use the manual settings of their cameras. Understanding the basic principles of exposure, such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, can help photographers take more control over their images and produce more dynamic results.

Experimenting with different settings and taking the time to learn what works best in different situations is also essential. Taking the time to analyse the scene and adjusting the camera settings accordingly can help photographers produce more visually appealing images.

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In summary, while automatic settings can be helpful, beginner photographers should not rely on them too heavily. Understanding the manual settings of the camera, experimenting with different settings, and analysing the scene can help photographers take more control over their images and produce more dynamic results. Avoiding the trap of relying too much on automatic settings can help photographers grow and develop their skills.

Mistake #4: Not considering composition

Composition is the arrangement of elements in an image, and it is one of the essential aspects of photography. Beginners may not pay enough attention to composition, resulting in unbalanced and cluttered images.

One of the crucial elements of composition is the rule of thirds, which involves dividing the frame into three equal parts horizontally and vertically. The rule of thirds can help create a sense of balance in the image by placing the subject off-centre. I will once again urge you to visit my previous article, where I show some examples.

Beginner photographers should take the time to experiment both using and breaking the rule of thirds.
Another essential element of composition is the use of leading lines, which are lines that lead the viewer’s eye to the subject. Leading lines can be found in various objects, such as roads, buildings, trees, rocks, and many more. Using leading lines can help create a sense of depth and dimension in the image.

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Additionally, paying attention to the foreground, midground, and background can help create a sense of depth and dimension in the image. Placing the subject in the foreground and using the background to create context can also help create more interesting and dynamic images.

Considering composition is essential for creating compelling and dynamic images. Photographers need to master creating depth, dimension and balance in their photos. Remember to practise!

Mistake #5: Not taking enough photos

Continuing from above, taking lots of pictures is crucial for developing skills, experimenting with different techniques, and discovering your personal style. Remember the famous quote that your first 10 000 photos will be your worst! You’d better start shooting! But don’t cheat — rushing through it will not help you, either. There are no shortcuts when learning a new skill.

By taking more pictures, you have the opportunity to learn from your mistakes. Analyse your images to understand what works and what doesn’t. It’s important to take a variety of pictures, including different subjects, lighting, and compositions. This will help broaden the photographer’s skillset and improve your ability to adapt to different situations.

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In addition, taking lots of photos can help you develop your personal style. By experimenting with different techniques, you can discover what you like and what works for you.

Another benefit of taking more photos is that it can help photographers capture the perfect moment. Sometimes, the perfect shot can be elusive, and it’s important to be ready at any time. Digital cameras take photos for free; just keep taking pictures to capture the right moment. One day after you have enough experience, you can challenge yourself and limit the number of frames you take per session. But for now, it’s okay to brute-force your way forward.

Mistake #6: Not pushing their gear to its limits

One of the biggest mistakes that beginner photographers make is not pushing their gear to its limits. Many photographers start out with basic entry-level cameras and lenses and assume that they are the limiting factor in producing great images. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

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All cameras, regardless of their price point, have the potential to produce high-quality images when used to their full potential. To avoid this mistake, it’s important for beginner photographers to experiment with their equipment and explore all of its features. This means not only understanding the basic functions of their camera and lens but also experimenting with other settings, such as manual focus and different shooting modes. One day you can try using different lenses, filters, and other accessories to enhance your photography skills. But for now, stick to what you have, and use the limitations as a way to learn how to get around them.

Mistake #7: Not editing their photos

Editing is an essential part of photography, but beginner photographers may downplay it. Editing can help enhance the image, correct some small flaws, and bring out the best in the photo.

Don’t be fooled by the notion that photos straight from your camera are unprocessed. Your camera always applies corrections such as contrast, brightness and saturation. Even RAW photos go through that.

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One of the most basic edits is adjusting the exposure, which can help brighten or darken the image. Try bringing some highlight details by pulling down the Highlights and White slider in your photo editor. Likewise, try recovering more shadow detail by adjusting the Shadows and Black sliders. Other essential edits include adjusting the contrast, saturation, and sharpness. These edits can help bring out the colours and details in the photo.

Further, cropping can help improve the composition of the photo by removing any distracting elements or by changing the aspect ratio of the image. Having said that, it’s still preferable to compose the photo properly rather than relying on cropping out unwanted stuff.

It’s also important to pay attention to the colour balance, which can affect the overall mood and tone of the image. In fact, this is the setting that you should start with when processing your pictures. Apply brightness, exposure and contrast only after the white point has been selected correctly.

There is plenty to be said about photo processing, but I will stop by adding that editing can help fix some flaws in the image, such as dust spots or blemishes. Removing these flaws can help create a more polished and professional-looking image. Nobody wants to see gray spots in the frame where dust particles are shadowing the sensor.

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Editing is an essential part of photography. It can help enhance the image, correct any flaws, and bring out the best in the photo. Essential edits include adjusting the white balance, exposure, contrast, saturation, and sharpness. Additionally, editing can help fix any flaws in the image, creating a more polished and professional-looking result.

Mistake #8: Not considering the background

When taking a photo, it’s essential to consider the background, as it can make or break the image. Beginner photographers may not pay enough attention to the background and end up with distracting or unappealing elements in their photos. One way to avoid this mistake is to choose a simple and uncluttered background that won’t take away from the subject of the photo.

Another way to consider the background is to use depth of field to blur it out. This technique can help isolate the subject from the background and create a more visually appealing image.

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It’s also important to pay attention to the colours and patterns in the background. Busy or clashing patterns can be distracting and take away from the subject. Choosing a complementary or contrasting colour can help make the subject stand out.

Finally, it’s crucial to consider the background when photographing people. The background can affect the mood and tone of the photo, so it’s important to choose an appropriate setting. For example, a busy city street may not be the best choice for a romantic photoshoot. And always, always make sure that there aren’t any lamp posts or something else weird sticking out of someone’s head!

Mistake #9: Not taking the time to plan their shots

One of the most common mistakes beginner photographers make is not taking the time to plan their shots. Planning a shot can be a time-consuming process, but it’s essential for creating high-quality, professional-looking images.

Planning involves several factors, including choosing the subject, deciding on the composition, selecting the appropriate equipment, and considering the lighting and background. All of these factors contribute to the overall quality of the image.

When planning a shot, it’s essential to consider the purpose of the photo. Is it meant to tell a story, convey an emotion, or simply capture a moment in time? Understanding the purpose of the photo can help guide the planning process and ensure that the final image is successful.

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Another important factor to consider when planning a shot is the location. Where will the photo be taken? Is the lighting appropriate for the subject and composition? Are there any potential distractions in the background? Get familiar with the area, and if outdoors, study the lighting. Is it better to be there in the morning or at sunset? Where are the shadows falling?

Finally, it’s important to take the time to adjust the camera settings and make any necessary adjustments to the composition before taking the shot. Of course, plans many times don’t work out because of factors out of our control. That’s when you need flexibility. You will learn that with time and experience.

Mistake #10: Not learning from their mistakes

Learning from mistakes is an essential part of any creative process, and photography is no exception. One of the biggest mistakes that beginner photographers make is not learning from their mistakes. Repeating the same mistakes without thinking about what went wrong and why means that you will never be able to avoid them. Maybe sometimes a photo will turn out fine by luck, but you want to be in control of the photographic process. Don’t leave it to chance.

One way to learn from mistakes is to review your photos and identify areas that could be improved. For example, you might notice that your photos are consistently overexposed or blurry. By identifying these patterns, you can adjust your techniques and improve your skills.

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If you’re struggling, it is worth seeking feedback from other photographers. Joining photography groups or forums online can be a great way to connect with like-minded souls and get constructive feedback on your work. Be open to hearing negative feedback. Don’t take it as a personal offence. It is directed at your pictures, not at you.

Finally, it’s important to keep practising and experimenting. Trying new techniques and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can help you grow as a photographer and avoid making the same mistakes over and over again.

Conclusion

Starting out in photography can be challenging, but avoiding common mistakes can help beginners improve their skills and develop their own unique style. In this article, I listed ten common mistakes that beginners make in photography; however, there are others worth mentioning. I will prepare a continuation in the near future and link it here, as well.

It’s important to continue learning and experimenting with new techniques and equipment to develop your own unique style and skills in photography. Remember always to take the time to plan your shots and be patient in waiting for the right moment. Mistakes will happen. Pros make mistakes, too. Nobody ever knows everything.

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