Photography is sometimes seen as a hobby that is "easy to learn but tough to master".
Even the most experienced professional photographers would be hesitant to claim that they know everything about photography as many would seem like a "fish out of water" when asked questions outside their normal niche.
One of the best ways to improve your images is to learn as much as possible about the art and science of photography.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to educate yourself about the finer details of photography.
Check Out Local Art Shows If you're just getting started in the wide world of photography, try to visit as many photography exhibits as you can.
Viewing the work of celebrated and talented photographers will help you to learn about the stylistic differences found in the many sub-genres of photography (fashion, art, nature, etc) and may also serve to inspire you to take photographs you had never considered.
Additionally, examining other photographers' images will build your aesthetic eye - the more you can see about what is good or bad in a photograph, the more reliable you will be at replicating these elements.
Join an Online Community One of the best and worse things about the Internet is that if someone is interested in a topic, they can find information on it with the click of a mouse.
For new photographers, the Internet can be a source of information, inspiration, or job opportunities.
Sites like Photography.
com have forums where members can gather to share their work for critique and ask more experienced photographers questions about lighting, film, composition, and anything else that may come up.
Online communities like this are usually very welcoming, as everyone remembers being the new person at some point in time.
Learn From an Instructor If your schedule and budget allows, you should consider taking a photography class at your local adults school or community college.
Not only will you be instructed on the more "textbook" elements of photography, your instructor will likely have a list of great assignments that will help you grow as an artist.
The only way to truly harness the full power of photography is to challenge yourself to understand its many elements, and photography classes can give you a roadmap through those elements with the added support of a teacher should you find yourself lost or in a panic.
Shoot Every Day This may go without saying, but the best way to learn about photography is to experience it first hand.
Experiment with your camera, shoot in every weather condition you can find, and never be afraid to try a new environment or approach.
The more experience you have taking different shots, the more comfortable you'll be when the time is right for that perfect shot.
You should concentrate on learning one photography element at a time - like spending one day learning about contrast and another day working with depth of field.
This will help keep your photography fresh and help you get out of your "comfort" zone.
Mastering photography isn't something you can learn overnight but if you're interested in getting good, be prepared to invest some time into learning.
Have as much fun as possible and always set out with a camera in-hand and a goal in mind and you'll find that the learning part is often secondary to the experience of shooting.
Just remember to stock up on film (or memory cards) and keep your batteries fresh!
Even the most experienced professional photographers would be hesitant to claim that they know everything about photography as many would seem like a "fish out of water" when asked questions outside their normal niche.
One of the best ways to improve your images is to learn as much as possible about the art and science of photography.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to educate yourself about the finer details of photography.
Check Out Local Art Shows If you're just getting started in the wide world of photography, try to visit as many photography exhibits as you can.
Viewing the work of celebrated and talented photographers will help you to learn about the stylistic differences found in the many sub-genres of photography (fashion, art, nature, etc) and may also serve to inspire you to take photographs you had never considered.
Additionally, examining other photographers' images will build your aesthetic eye - the more you can see about what is good or bad in a photograph, the more reliable you will be at replicating these elements.
Join an Online Community One of the best and worse things about the Internet is that if someone is interested in a topic, they can find information on it with the click of a mouse.
For new photographers, the Internet can be a source of information, inspiration, or job opportunities.
Sites like Photography.
com have forums where members can gather to share their work for critique and ask more experienced photographers questions about lighting, film, composition, and anything else that may come up.
Online communities like this are usually very welcoming, as everyone remembers being the new person at some point in time.
Learn From an Instructor If your schedule and budget allows, you should consider taking a photography class at your local adults school or community college.
Not only will you be instructed on the more "textbook" elements of photography, your instructor will likely have a list of great assignments that will help you grow as an artist.
The only way to truly harness the full power of photography is to challenge yourself to understand its many elements, and photography classes can give you a roadmap through those elements with the added support of a teacher should you find yourself lost or in a panic.
Shoot Every Day This may go without saying, but the best way to learn about photography is to experience it first hand.
Experiment with your camera, shoot in every weather condition you can find, and never be afraid to try a new environment or approach.
The more experience you have taking different shots, the more comfortable you'll be when the time is right for that perfect shot.
You should concentrate on learning one photography element at a time - like spending one day learning about contrast and another day working with depth of field.
This will help keep your photography fresh and help you get out of your "comfort" zone.
Mastering photography isn't something you can learn overnight but if you're interested in getting good, be prepared to invest some time into learning.
Have as much fun as possible and always set out with a camera in-hand and a goal in mind and you'll find that the learning part is often secondary to the experience of shooting.
Just remember to stock up on film (or memory cards) and keep your batteries fresh!