Starting out in photography is so exhilarating! But there is also a million things to learn and juggling it all can be super challenging. Today I want to share the best tip for better photos. Now this isn’t what every photographer would tell you, but it’s definitely what I think it the most important!
*This post originally published on www.meganleighacosta.com March 21, 2021
What’s the deal?
So you have your new camera, you figured it out enough to get properly exposed images, and you’re on fire taking photos! What’s the issue? Well, it’s really pretty simple. You’re going too fast!
There is both an art and science to learning light. Light is what makes up a photograph. You will literally have a blank black image without light. Understanding the way light travels, the quality of the light you see, and how you can manipulate and record it is the essence of photography. But, I always tell my photography students that one of the hardest things to do when starting out is simply to slow down and look. It is also the most important.
The best tip for better photos
The best tip for better photos is just that, slow down!
When you slow down you can start to really notice the light available and begin to form an understanding of how it relates to your camera, settings, and subjects. Slowing down is at the cornerstone of my teaching philosophy and the importance of slowing down when photographing is explained below.
Why slow down?
Ugh, so many reasons! First of all, in order to actually look at what you are photographing, you need to slow down. It’s worth repeating: look at how the light interacts with your subject and how you can compose the image. Check your light meter, and take the time to interact with your subject. You don’t need to take 1,000+ photos to take a good one (trust me, I learned this the hard way in after a season of burn out 🥴). On top of that, I believe in another special layer to photographing slowly.
When you invite slowness into your photography practice, you give yourself the opportunity see the delicious details of your life and invite connection! So, steady that shutter finger, and relax! 🤙📷💖
For more on how photography can help you live more intentionally, click here.
What else do I need to know?
SO MUCH! But that’s okay, you have a lifetime to fall in love with and constantly learn more about photography. For more free photography education, click here!