Turning your hobby into a full-time career is a dream for many people. At this time, it is completely vital to invest and learn the basics of any hobby. If photography is your hobby, this is the right blog to read. I can tell you all the practical DSLR photography tips. Importantly, I followed these tips and got better at the art. Hence, I would like to start by giving some basic photography introduction.
Thus, without further ado, here is some beneficial information to all my fellow beginner photographers:
HOW SHOULD YOU PERCEIVE PHOTOGRAPHY?
You must be wondering how to begin your exciting journey. Let me tell you a thing or two. Firstly, understand that photography is an art. Hence, you are an artist. Secondly, study all the crucial basics. And finally, keep lots of patience. You can find many technical DSLR photography tips. But, it is advantageous to understand how to think like a photographer.
First and foremost, a DSLR implies your first step towards serious photography. I understand that modern smartphones have efficient cameras. Furthermore, there are many smartphone photographers on Instagram too. However, a DSLR certainly elevates your level of learning.
Here are 10 DSLR photography tips which will certainly help anyone:
1. STUDY THE BASICS.
If you own a DSLR, chances are high that most beginners shoot on ‘Auto’ mode. Whereas, basics like shutter speed, aperture, ISO enable you to shoot on ‘Manual’. Therefore, you must invest in a local mentor or watch YouTube videos to learn the basics.
Make a separate notebook. Understand the crux of photography. Learn the role of ‘light’. Furthermore, study each part of your DSLR camera. This is the first step which can separate you from most hobby photographers.
2. INVEST WISELY.
I know what you are thinking – ‘I don’t have the budget to buy a costly DSLR. But, most of the photographers have high budget ones. Will that make a difference?’ Certainly not! An entry-level DSLR has all the technical aspects of top-tier cameras. In fact, you can learn all the basics of photography through entry-level cameras too.
Therefore, if you do not have a high budget, invest in an entry-level DSLR. Accordingly, master all the basics and replace it later. The role of lenses plays a huge part in DSLR photography. Understand the parameters like focal length. Subsequently, buy lenses as per requirement.
3. TRY TO SHOOT ON PROGRAMME OR MANUAL MODE.
As we move ahead and learn the basics, we eventually buy a DSLR. Now, beginners can be tempted to use it on ‘Auto’ mode. But, if you have proper knowledge of the 3 pillars of photography, I recommend you to start using ‘manual’ mode.
This will teach you all the theoretical aspects in a practical manner. On the contrary, if you just pursue photography as a hobby, the ‘programmed’ mode is a better option. This mode will reduce the efforts and give you better images.
4. SHOOT DURING GOLDEN & MAGIC HOURS.
This is a cliché but still one of the best DSLR photography tips ever. If you have proper time, the best periods to shoot magnificent photos are sunrise and sunset.
Golden hours: Short time after sunrise; a short time before sunset.
Magic hours: Just before sunrise; just after sunset.
Generally, the skies are at their best during these hours. Furthermore, the activity of birds is highest in this period. Therefore, you can get the best shots.
5. INVEST IN A TRIPOD.
If you have some extra bucks, buy a tripod. A tripod is not always necessary for beginner photographers. However, it definitely helps you in the long term. If you want to shoot landscape or still images, a tripod becomes vital.
This is an important DSLR photography tip for travel & nature photographers. Subsequently, a good tripod can help you take steady images anywhere.
6. USE FLASH ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS.
Who says flash is just for night photography? Try it out during the day too! Using the in-built flash can impose certain desirable effects. If you can, buy an external flash. Furthermore, you can use artificial light to improve specific areas of your photos.
Importantly, using a flash is essential for your learning curve. Therefore, this is one of the best DSLR photography tips to follow.
7. LEARN PHOTO EDITING SOFTWARE.
It is crucial to learn the basics of any photo editing software. This is the first step of photo editing. Accordingly, if you are well-versed in this area, you can worry less about the actual settings during photo shoots.
You can learn most of the important aspects of such software at home. Therefore, as I mentioned earlier, keep your notebook ready.
8. SHOOT IN RAW FORMAT.
It is convenient to share images in jpeg format. However, raw is the purest format. You can get all the minute details through this. The only drawback of shooting in raw is the requirement of extra space. Nevertheless, if you have proper storage options, shooting in raw image format is your best bet.
9. KEEP YOUR HANDS STEADY.
The first thing professional coaches will tell you about DSLR photography is the way you hold your camera. It is absolutely crucial to hold your DSLR correctly. Hence, practice keeping your hands as still as you can.
This will eliminate the blur in your photos. Thereupon, you can commute to various places without the need of external supports.
10. ENJOY!
As I mentioned earlier, photography is an art. An artist enjoys his/her art. Hence, never stress about the monetization factor. Every field has competition. Therefore, it is important to be realistic. There’s no need to rush. Enjoy capturing captivating photos. Feel the satisfaction. After all, photography is meant to satisfy your soul.
CONCLUSION
These are some practical tips for beginners. I did not include technical aspects like ISO, aperture, focus points, etc. in details. I feel that one can learn the technicalities. However, it is beneficial to understand real-life tips which enhance your skill. If you want any other information, feel free to communicate through the comments section.
