You’ve mastered the art of smartphone photography and you’re ready to take your images to the next level with a digital SLR camera. But mastering the art of photography takes years. There’s a lot to learn, and your passion for creating beautiful images will only get you so far.
If you’re going to be the best photographer you can be, either as a professional or a hobbyist, you’ll need to be willing to constantly learn and evolve. That goes double when you’re shooting in a place like Palm Springs, a world-famous destination for photographers and videographers alike.
You’ll also need to trust your talent and put in a lot of hard work, but having some basic knowledge before you start can set you on the path to success. To make sure you hit the ground running, check out our list of the six simple things every beginner photographer should know when planning a photo shoot in Palm Springs.
Alt text: Closeup of man taking photo with SLR camera.
1. You don’t need state-of-the-art equipment
If you’re anything like us, you’re constantly drooling over new product releases from major camera and lens manufacturers. And in a perfect world, you’d update your camera gear almost as often as you get your hair cut.
But while there’s some truly amazing technology available, you don’t necessarily need top-of-the-line equipment to create incredible images, even in a popular production destination like Palm Springs. The equipment plays a role, sure, but the quality of your images is all down to your creative vision and your skills as a photographer.
So it doesn’t matter if you’re using an entry-level DSLR or even an old film camera that looks like it belongs in a museum — you’ve still got everything you need to capture memorable photos.
2. Shoot in manual mode
Digital SLR cameras offer a huge range of features to help you get more out of each and every shot, so make the most of them. We know that the range of different settings available can be overwhelming at first, but don’t fall into the trap of just using auto mode all the time.
Adjusting the ISO, f-stop, shutter speed, and more is the only way to truly understand how to get the most out of your equipment. It’ll also help you create better images than any camera’s auto mode will ever be capable of.
3. Learn about light
You’d be hard-pressed to find any one factor that influences the look and feel of an image than light. From gray and gloomy to bright and vibrant, eye-catching highlights to moody shadows, light can make or break any image.
That’s why you always need to be on the lookout for how light can change throughout the day, how it falls on different subjects, and how this can completely alter how an image makes you feel. Light is also a key factor to consider when comparing and choosing Palm Springs photo shoot venues, and developing your ability to shoot in all types of lighting conditions will be crucial to your growth as a photographer.
4. Know the rules (but don’t be afraid to break them)
When you’re getting started as a photographer, the rules of photography are your friend. We’re talking here about the photographic conventions that every beginner should know, such as the rule of thirds for composition or how using lines in an image can help direct the viewer’s eye to wherever you want it to go.
These conventions exist for a reason — they help you create impressive images — but that doesn’t mean you should be afraid to break the rules every once in a while. Only once you understand and have mastered these conventions can you start to play around with them and use different techniques, angles, and compositions.
These experiments won’t always work out, but every now and then, the results can be stunning.
Alt text: Woman sitting on floor in apartment and holding SLR camera.
5. Master post-processing
There are some people out there who believe that any form of post-processing is cheating, and that the image you get straight out of the camera is the only true reflection of your skills as a photographer. That’s simply not true.
Post-processing is a crucial skill for every photographer. We’re not necessarily talking about completely transforming your original images into something completely unrecognizable — although there’s no shortage of stunning effects you can create with the right software — but about adjusting things like brightness, contrast, saturation, and more to the perfect level.
Start researching the myriad photo editing apps and software programs available, and you’ll soon discover that there’s a whole world of useful tools just waiting to be used. Be sure to make the most of them.
6. Never stop learning
If you’re just getting started in the world of photography, you’ve probably already figured out that there’s a very steep learning curve in front of you. And you might be feeling a little anxious about planning your first production in a famous filming destination like Palm Springs.
But don’t be intimidated by what lies ahead, as even the seasoned pros will tell you that learning is a constant process throughout your career. There are always new skills and techniques to learn, new software tools to master, and new inspiration around every corner.
So instead of being intimidated by the learning process, embrace it. Photography is an art form that’s always evolving, and the more willing you are to keep learning, the better photographer you’ll be.
Links to images:
Sources:
https://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/11-things-beginners-should-know-about-photography/
https://photographyconcentrate.com/7-essential-things-every-photographer-needs-to-learn/
https://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/5-things-every-beginner-photographer-should-know/
https://digital-photography-school.com/5-things-newbie-photographer-learn-practice/
https://annejohnstonphotography.com/beginner-photographers-essential-learning/