Essential Photography Tips for Success

So, you’ve decided to dive into the black hole of photography. Brace yourself for an exhilarating journey filled with more jargon than a tech conference and enough settings to make a spaceship blush. Let's not kid ourselves; we're here for the eye-catching pics and the glory, not the gear, right? Below I compiled some quick photography tips for you.

Sponge diver on the island of Kalymnos.

Prints of the Diver here

Photography tips start here.

Cash Splash on Education, Not Gear! Duh.

Ever think that a shiny, expensive lens will miraculously turn you into the next Ansel Adams? Hate to break it to you, but understanding how to take a decent photo is more crucial than having the latest, greatest gear. Dive into the plethora of resources out there; because why spend your hard-earned cash when the internet is practically begging you to learn?

And please start with the book I wrote for you! ;-)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-star review from Readers' Favorite

Camera Settings: The Da Vinci Code of Photography

Aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance – it's like learning a secret language that only cameras and a handful of photography nerds understand. But hey, master these, and you’re a wizard conjuring images out of thin air. Just don't expect your camera to turn into a pumpkin at midnight.

Camera settings can be frustrating at first

Shooting Modes: Because Manual is for Overachievers

Sure, you can go full manual and control every tiny detail. Or, you can let your camera do the heavy lifting. Aperture priority, shutter priority – it's like having a personal assistant for your photography whims. Why stress when your camera can make the decisions? Do you know that a great number of Master photographers do not use manual mode? Learn all about it and then forget it!

Photography Jargon: A Language Only the Cool Kids Speak

Exposure, rule of thirds, bokeh – welcome to the cryptic language of cool photographers. You could Google it, or you could just nod and pretend you know what the heck everyone's talking about. Remember, it's not about understanding; it's about looking like you do.

Shot on the island of Spetses and awarded some 22 times internationally

Prints of the above, 22-time awarded photograph here

Composition: Because Picasso Was Overrated

Creating compelling compositions is like playing Picasso with pixels. Rule of thirds, leading lines – it’s adult colouring for photographers. Move closer, step back, who cares? Just make sure it looks good on Instagram.

Read this article for more on photography composition

Focus Modes: Auto is Bae

Autofocus, manual focus – decisions, decisions. Autofocus is like having a personal photographer's assistant, while the manual focus is for those who enjoy squinting at their tiny viewfinder like it’s an eye chart at the optometrist’s office.

Choosing between focus modes.

RAW: Because JPEG is so Last Season

Shooting in RAW is like ordering the deluxe version – more data, and more editing power. Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are your new BFFs. Turn that mediocre shot into a masterpiece and make everyone wonder if you've been secretly apprenticing under the photography gods.

On-camera settings

Playing with Light: A Love Affair with Illumination

Light is your new best friend. It doesn’t matter if it's sunlight, lamp light, or alien abduction beams – just make it work. Embrace the shadows, dodge the hot spots, and you’re the light whisperer.

Read this article for more on light mechanics

Flash Photography: Avoiding the "I’m a Deer in Headlights" Look

Flashes are your secret weapon for low-light scenarios. Forget the built-in flash; invest in something that won’t make your subjects look like they've seen a ghost. Bouncing light off ceilings or going for that dramatic angle – it’s your time to shine (pun intended).

Studio lighting setup

Dynamic Photography: Because Standing Still is Overrated

Move around, climb on things, and get those buns of steel. Sure, you found the perfect angle, but why settle for perfection when you can have variety? Your clients might not notice, but your glutes will thank you.

Motion blur in photography

Backup Strategies: Because Losing Photos is SO 2000s

Backup like your life depends on it. External drives, cloud storage, sacrificing a USB stick to the photo gods – do whatever it takes. Losing photos is so last decade, darling.

Organize Like a Boss: DAM it, I’m Organized

Digital asset management (DAM) is your ticket to organizational zen. Folders, tags, and whatever system doesn’t make you break into a cold sweat – it’s time to adult.

Hard drives - one of the most common backup methods

Developing Style: It’s Like Finding Nemo but with Photos

Developing your unique style takes time. Embrace the chaos, follow the rules until you know them, and then break them like a rebel with a cause. Remember, even Nemo had to get lost before he found his way.

Grow at Your Own Pace: Because Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day

Feeling like the slowpoke in the photography race? Relax, it’s not a sprint; it's a marathon. Learn from the pros, but also remember they probably took a gazillion bad photos before becoming the rockstars they are.

Traditional dresses on the island of Chios.

Prints of the photograph above can be found here

Business Acumen: Because Photographers are Also CEOs

It's not all about pretty pictures; it's about being a bada$$ business person. Client relations, marketing, blogging – welcome to the glamorous life of a photographer-slash-CEO. You might not get a corner office, but at least your office has a killer view.

Neat photographer

So, there you have it – a crash course in photography without the pretentious vibes. Go forth, snap away, and remember: the best camera is the one you have on you. Now, go make art or something.

Get my book, thank me later 📚

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-star review from Readers' Favorite

Love xx