Want to learn more about photography? Here are 10 ways that you can try to improve your skills and knowledge in photography.
Key Points at a Glance:
- There are plenty of ways to learn about photography without spending too much money.
- Budding photographers can start with free tutorials, reading photography books and magazines, and participating in contests.
- Beginners can also take photography classes and workshops.
- To find inspiration, aspiring photographers can look into online portfolios of professional photographers.
Getting into photography is much easier these days. If you’re yet to invest in a camera, you can use your phone to take photos.
Whether you want to get serious about it or try it as a hobby, learning about photography is essential. Fortunately, there are many ways to learn photography without spending too much money.
Want to get into the art of photography? Here are 10 easy ways to learn about photography that won’t break the bank:
1. Know Your Camera
You can learn photography through your gear. Get familiar with your camera’s settings, functions, and features. Experiment with different settings and see how these work together to create different images. Understanding how your camera works is always the first step in photography.
2. Watch Free Video Tutorials
A simple search on YouTube would launch a wave of free photography tutorials. You can browse through thousands of videos that cover various photography topics. To narrow down your search into concepts, use the filter option in the YouTube app.
3. Browse Through Photography Portfolios
Many photographers have their own personal websites to serve as online portfolios. Through these portfolios, you can get ideas of how certain subjects are shot. It’s also a great way to find inspiration for your next photography practice session or beginner project.
4. Read Photography Magazines
Photography magazines introduce you to a plethora of photography styles and techniques. Some magazines also include product reviews of photography equipment. You can subscribe to monthly digital magazines or buy your own physical copy.
5. Take Photography Classes
If you want to upgrade your skills to the next level, invest in photography education. There are plenty of photography classes today that you can take online. Note that most of these courses are paid, but the results are often more rewarding.
6. Join Photography Clubs
Joining photography clubs is a great way to participate in projects. Plus, you’ll also get to meet aspiring photographers like you. You can receive tips and pieces of advice from your co-members.
7. Read Photography Books
If you want to learn more photography techniques, you can start reading books. Most photography books focus on the basic principles of photography. You can expand your knowledge first before applying these techniques to understand them better.
8. Attend Photography Workshops
Attending photography workshops is like taking special courses. The main difference is that the practice is more hands-on with workshops, and you get the benefit of critiques from professional photographers. Workshops help you determine how you can improve and hone your craft. Most workshops are budget-friendly for beginners so you can dabble into there too.
9. Join Contests
Joining competitions is a great way to gauge your skills. It also exposes you to various themes that would not only challenge you to apply everything you’ve learned so far, but also motivate you to learn more to come up with the results you want. In these competitions, the prize is just a bonus. The best reward is the experience you get at the event.
10. Practice
The best way to improve your photography skills is to take photographs. Go out, bring your camera with you, and practice. Take as many shots as you’d like until you get your desired result. Experiment on various subjects as well. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes as that’s how you’ll get better.
There are plenty of ways you can learn about photography without breaking the bank. Try these ways today so you can unleash the potential in yourself.
Bibliography
Canva. (n.d.). 20 effective ways to learn photography without going to photography school. https://www.canva.com/learn/20-effective-ways-learn-photography-without-going-photography-school/