How to Get Going with Photography from Scratch in 5 Easy Steps

Photography is a wonderful hobby that can also turn into a rewarding career. Whether you want to capture beautiful moments, express your creativity, or make some money, photography can help you achieve your goals.

But how do you start learning photography from scratch? It can be overwhelming to navigate the vast world of cameras, lenses, styles, and techniques. That’s why I’ve created this guide for beginners who want to learn photography from the ground up.

In this guide, I’ll share with you five steps to getting going as a photographer. By following these steps, you’ll be able to improve your skills, find your niche, and enjoy photography more.

So, let’s get started!

Step 1: Do your research

The first step to learning photography is to do some research. What do I mean by that? Well, you need to find some inspiration and motivation to start taking photos.

One way to do that is to use Google to find photos of your hometown or nearby locations. Save the images that catch your eye and try to replicate them with any camera gear you have. It doesn’t matter if you have a smartphone, a point-and-shoot, or a DSLR. The point is to practice and learn from others.

Pay attention to the framing, lighting, angle, and lens of the photos you find. Try to understand why they work and what makes them appealing. Then, apply those principles to your own photos.

Another way to do that is to join a local photography club or group. You can meet other photographers, exchange ideas, and go on photo walks together. You can also get feedback and advice from more experienced photographers.

The key is to get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. That’s how you learn and grow as a photographer.

Step 2: Study one to two styles/genres max

The second step to learning photography is to study one to two styles max. What do I mean by that? Well, you need to focus and specialize in one or two styles of photography that interest you the most.

There are many styles of photography, such as portrait, street, landscape, wildlife, macro, and more. Each style has its own rules, techniques, and challenges. It’s impossible to master them all at once.

That’s why you need to pick one or two styles that suit your personality, goals, and preferences. For example, if you love nature and travel, you might want to try landscape photography. If you love people and stories, you might want to try portrait photography.

Once you pick your genre, you need to master the basics of it. The most important thing to learn is the exposure triangle, which is the relationship between shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. These three settings control how much light enters your camera and how your photos look.

Shutter speed is how long your camera’s shutter stays open. It affects how motion is captured in your photos. A fast shutter speed freezes motion, while a slow shutter speed creates motion blur.

Aperture is how wide your camera’s lens opens. It affects how much of your scene is in focus. A wide aperture creates a shallow depth of field, while a narrow aperture creates a deep depth of field.

ISO is how sensitive your camera’s sensor is to light. It affects how bright or dark your photos are. A high ISO makes your photos brighter, but also more noisy. A low ISO makes your photos darker, but also more clear.

You need to understand how these three settings work together and how to adjust them according to the lighting and the effect you want. A good way to practice is to use the manual mode on your camera, which lets you control all three settings.

Another thing to learn is how to compose your photos. Composition is how you arrange the elements in your frame. It affects how your photos look and feel. A good composition draws the viewer’s attention, creates balance, and conveys a message.

There are many rules and guidelines for composition, such as the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, leading lines, and more. You can use these rules to help you create more interesting and pleasing photos. However, you can also break these rules and experiment with your own style.

The best way to learn composition is to study the photos of other photographers in your chosen style. Analyze how they use the elements, shapes, colors, and space in their photos. Then, try to apply what you learn to your own photos.

To study one or two styles of photography, you can also watch online tutorials and learn from other photographers. There are many free and paid resources on the internet that can teach you the skills and techniques you need. You can also read books, magazines, and blogs about photography.

The key is to study and learn from the best, but also to develop your own voice and vision. Don’t copy others, but be inspired by them. Find what makes you unique and express it through your photos.

Step 3: Buy used gear

The third step to getting going in photography is to buy used gear. What do I mean by that? Well, you need to invest in some camera gear that will improve your work and make your life easier.

But you don’t need to spend a fortune on new and fancy gear. You can save money by buying pre-owned cameras and lenses from reputable stores or online platforms. You can also sell or trade your old gear that you don’t use anymore.

The most important piece of gear you need is a camera. There are many types of cameras, such as mirrorless, DSLR, compact, and more. Each type has its own pros and cons, depending on your needs and preferences.

However, the most important thing to look for in a camera is the sensor size. The sensor is the part of the camera that captures light and creates the image. The bigger the sensor, the better the image quality, especially in low-light situations.

There are two main sensor sizes that you should consider: APS-C and full-frame. APS-C sensors are smaller and cheaper, but they crop your image by a factor of 1.5 or 1.6. Full-frame sensors are larger and more expensive, but they give you the full image without any crop.

Another important thing to look for in a camera is the ability to shoot in RAW. RAW is a file format that preserves all the data and information from the sensor, without any compression or processing. This gives you more flexibility and control when editing your photos.

The next important piece of gear you need is a lens. There are many types of lenses, such as zoom, prime, wide-angle, telephoto, macro, and more. Each type has its own focal length, aperture, and purpose.

Focal length is how far or close your lens can see. It affects how much of your scene you can fit in your frame and how your subject appears. A wide-angle lens has a short focal length and a wide field of view. It can capture more of your scene and make your subject look smaller and farther away. A telephoto lens has a long focal length and a narrow field of view. It can capture less of your scene and make your subject look larger and closer.

Aperture is how wide your lens can open. It affects how much light enters your lens and how your background looks. A fast lens has a wide aperture and a low f-number. It can let in more light and create a shallow depth of field. A slow lens has a narrow aperture and a high f-number. It can let in less light and create a deep depth of field.

The type of lens you need depends on your style and subject. For example, if you want to shoot portraits, you might want to use a fast prime lens with a focal length of 50mm or 85mm. This will give you a sharp and flattering image of your subject, with a blurred background. If you want to shoot landscapes, you might want to use a wide-angle zoom lens with a focal length of 16mm to 35mm. This will give you a wide and dynamic image of your scene, with everything in focus.

You don’t need to buy many lenses at once. You can start with one or two lenses that suit your style and budget. You can also rent or borrow lenses from friends or stores to try them out before buying.

Other gear that you might need are accessories that will improve your work and make your life easier. For example, you might need a tripod to stabilize your camera and avoid blurry photos. You might need a flash to add more light and fill in the shadows. You might need a remote control to trigger your camera without touching it. You might need a bag to carry and protect your gear. You might need a memory card to store your photos. You might need a battery to power your camera.

The key is to buy used gear that will help you achieve your goals and enhance your creativity. Don’t buy gear that will distract you or make you lazy. Remember, gear is just a tool. It’s not the most important thing in photography. The most important thing is you and your vision.

Step 4: Edit your own photos

The fourth step to learning photography is to edit your own photos. You need to process and enhance your photos using editing software.

Editing your photos is an essential part of photography. It allows you to correct any mistakes, adjust any settings, and add any effects that you want. It also allows you to express your style and mood through your photos.

But editing your photos is not cheating or lying. It’s not about making your photos look fake or unrealistic. It’s about making your photos look better and more like what you saw and felt when you took them.

To edit your own photos, you need to shoot in RAW. RAW is a file format that preserves all the data and information from the sensor, without any compression or processing. This gives you more flexibility and control when editing your photos.

You also need to use editing software to achieve the look that you want. There are many editing software available, such as Photoshop, Lightroom, GIMP, and more. Each software has its own features, tools, and interface. You can choose the one that suits your needs and preferences.

The basic steps of editing your photos are:

• Import your photos to your editing software and organize them in folders or albums.
• Crop and rotate your photos to improve the composition and alignment.
• Adjust the exposure, contrast, and white balance to correct the brightness, darkness, and colors of your photos.
• Adjust the highlights, shadows, blacks, and whites to balance the tonal range of your photos.
• Adjust the clarity, vibrance, and saturation to enhance the sharpness, vividness, and richness of your photos.
• Apply filters, presets, or effects to add some style and mood to your photos.
• Export your photos to your desired file format and quality.

Of course, these are just the basic steps. You can also do more advanced editing, such as removing unwanted objects, adding text or graphics, creating collages or panoramas, and more. The possibilities are endless.

The best way to learn editing is to experiment and practice. Try different settings, tools, and effects and see how they affect your photos. Learn from your mistakes and improve your settings next time. You can also watch online tutorials and learn from other editors.

The key is to edit your own photos and make them your own. Don’t rely on others to edit your photos for you. Don’t overdo it or underdo it. Find the right balance and the right style that works for you and your photos.

Step 5: Pick up a paying gig

The fifth and final step to learning photography is to pick up a paying gig. You need to challenge yourself by taking on a professional assignment, such as a fashion shoot, portrait, or a product shoot.

Picking up a pro gig is a great way to test your skills, gain experience, and earn some money. It can also help you build your portfolio, network, and reputation as a photographer.

But picking up a pro gig is not easy. It requires a lot of preparation, planning, and problem-solving. You need to deal with different situations, expectations, and challenges. You need to deliver high-quality work and satisfy your clients.

To pick up a pro gig, you need to:

• Find a gig that matches your style, skills, and availability. You can use online platforms, such as Fiverr, Upwork, or Thumbtack, to find gigs. You can also ask your friends, family, or contacts for referrals or recommendations.
• Communicate with your client and understand their needs, wants, and budget. You need to agree on the scope, timeline, and deliverables of the gig. You also need to sign a contract and get a deposit to secure the gig.
• Prepare your gear and backup gear. You need to make sure your camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards, and other accessories are working and ready. You also need to bring extra gear in case of emergencies or malfunctions.
• Scout the location and plan the shots. You need to visit the location before the gig and check the lighting, background, and layout. You also need to plan the shots that you want to take and the angles that you want to use.
• Execute the gig and be professional. You need to arrive on time, dress appropriately, and act courteously. You need to follow the plan, but also be flexible and adaptable. You need to capture the best moments, but also respect the privacy and wishes of your subjects.
• Edit and deliver the photos. You need to edit the photos according to your client’s expectations and preferences. You also need to deliver the photos on time, in the agreed format and quality. You also need to collect the payment and get feedback from your client.

These are just some of the steps involved in picking up a pro gig. There are many more details and nuances that you need to consider and handle. You also need to be prepared for any surprises, difficulties, or complaints that might arise.

The best way to learn how to pick up a pro gig is to do it. Start with small and simple gigs that you can handle and grow from there. Learn from your experiences and improve your skills. You can also seek advice and guidance from other professionals.

The key is to pick up a pro gig and challenge yourself. Don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things. Don’t be discouraged by failures or rejections. Find your niche and your clients and enjoy photography as a career.

Conclusion

So, these are the five steps to learning photography from scratch. They are:

• Do your research and get out there
• Study one to two genres and styles max
• Buy used gear
• Edit your own photos
• Pick up a paying gig

By following these steps, you’ll be able to learn photography from the ground up and become a better photographer. You’ll also be able to have fun, express yourself, and make money with photography.

Of course, these are not the only steps or the only way to learn photography. There are many other aspects and methods that you can explore and experiment with. Photography is a vast and diverse field that is constantly evolving and changing.

The most important thing is to keep learning and keep practicing. Photography is a lifelong journey that never ends. There is always something new to discover, something new to try, something new to create.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your camera and start your photography journey today!

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