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| Photo: Abby Ferguson |
Photography can be an overwhelming hobby for those starting out. There are mountains of technical jargon, endless gear choices, and it can also seem like you need to know it all right off the bat. Plus, it can be discouraging when you are bombarded with work from experienced photographers on social media all the time.
While living in a time when information is so easily accessible can certainly be a good thing, there is plenty of confidently incorrect (or at least misleading) information out there as well. Knowing what is right and what is worth paying attention to can only add to the intimidation factor when getting into photography. To help you sift through the noise, here are some good ways to start your photography journey (or refresh your skills if you’ve been here for a while).
DPReview’s Intro to photography series
First, a shameless plug: we started the DPReview Intro to photography series for just this reason. This video series breaks down concepts into easily digestible content, like “What is shutter speed?” It dives into terms and techniques for videographers and photographers alike. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and check back at the DPReview website to stay updated on the series.
Outside of our videos, we’ve also been focused on putting out beginner-focused articles. These touch on everything from travel photography to gear care.
In all of our beginner content – videos and articles alike – we aim to simplify complex terms and concepts while maintaining accuracy. It can be hard to unlearn bad technique or knowledge, so we want to ensure you have the correct information right out of the gate.
Brand and retailer websites
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| Image: Tamron |
Did you know that many camera brands and retailers produce educational content? Canon, Nikon and Sony all produce content with helpful information that you can trust. Sometimes, it’s materials specifically for their gear, but it is frequently general photography content related to technique and creativity. Tamron also has what it calls Tamron University, offering free master classes put on by pro photographers.
Beyond camera brands, some retailers also offer educational content. B&H Explora, for example, is filled with a wide range of informational articles and videos. Likewise, Adorama’s blog has articles on everything from editing to composition tips to gear.
Read books
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Books are great resources for learning techniques and terms and for finding inspiration. Photo: Abby Ferguson |
I know, who reads books anymore? But books can still be a superb source of information, and, for some, that format is easier to learn from than videos or reading on a screen. There are loads of fantastic photography books that cover anything you may be trying to learn, from the technical to creative and even theory.
Photography textbooks, such as Photography by Barbara London, Jim Stone and John Upton, or Digital Photography Complete Course by David Taylor, offer a wealth of information that will cover every step of the process, from learning your camera to editing, printing and more.
Beyond the technical side of things, photography books (as in, books of photographs) are a fun way to learn about composition and find inspiration. Simply looking at loads of pictures is a great way to learn about the medium and expand your knowledge of what’s possible, helping you improve your images.
Enroll in a class or workshop
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| Organizations like Maine Media offer a wide variety of in-person and online workshops. |
Sometimes, a more structured format is the best way to learn and grow. That doesn’t mean you need to get a four-year degree in photography, though. Taking a single semester of an introductory photography course is a great place to kickstart your learning. It will help you learn the basics more in-depth and set you up to keep learning outside of class. One of the best parts of taking a class is having the opportunity to get feedback on your work, so that you aren’t trying to learn in isolation.
Many small community colleges offer photography classes that can be relatively affordable (at least when compared to larger universities). You could also take an online photography class if you don’t have a college near you but want access to that structured format. These can be offered through colleges and universities, as well as through smaller organizations that put on workshop-style courses online. Maine Media is one such example, but there are many options available.
Use social media with a grain of salt
Of course, YouTube and Instagram are all full of individuals teaching photography. Likewise, a lot of advice is available in forums like ours or Reddit. These platforms are free and easily accessible, which is ideal. However, as with anything online, there’s also a lot of iffy information.
That’s not to say that you can’t learn from YouTube videos or forum posts. YouTube is full of experts who share their opinions and knowledge. But there are just as many people who don’t necessarily have all the facts straight. If someone is saying something that contradicts everyone else, perhaps give it some extra thought before implementing their advice.
There’s no replacement for practice
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| Photo: Mitchell Clark |
All of the above resources are excellent tools for learning how to use your camera and take better images. Use them on their own, or use a combination of all of them. However, there is no replacement for simply using your camera. You can read about how to adjust exposure all day. But unless you practice those skills and experiment to see firsthand what happens when you change certain settings, that information likely won’t fully click.
Our DPREVIEW Tribute:
After nearly 25 years of operation, DPReview closed on 10 April 2023. This difficult decision was part of the annual operating plan review that parent company, Amazon, shared earlier this year.
Over the course of 25 years, DP Review built up a reputation as being one of the most informative places to go for information about that new camera or lens you’re after. DP Review began as an independent reviews site based in the UK in 1998, the brainchild of Philip and Joanna Askey, but it was eventually purchased by Amazon in 2007 and relocated over to Seattle in the USA in 2010.
Cheers DPReview – thanks for the great work and content that guided photographers, videographers and techno junkies the world over!