Improving your photography skills doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re new to photography or just looking to refine your craft, there are some straightforward tips that can make a big difference in how you approach taking pictures.
Coming to you from Jason Row Photography, this practical video walks you through simple yet effective ways to elevate your photography. Row emphasizes the importance of having a clear subject in your images. When you’re starting out, it’s crucial to isolate what you find most attractive in the scene and build your composition around it. Without a clear subject, your images might appear bland or confusing, making it harder for viewers to connect with them. This focus on subject isolation can significantly improve the impact of your photos.
Row also touches on the benefits of shooting with a fixed focal length. Many might rely on the versatility of zoom lenses, but Row suggests setting your camera to a specific focal length, like 35mm, and sticking with it for an entire shoot. This exercise forces you to move around and really think about your composition. It helps you understand perspective and space better, which are critical elements in creating compelling images. If you don’t own a prime lens, you can simulate this experience by mentally committing to one focal length and avoiding the zoom function.
Another key point Row makes is about the power of using your smartphone as a photography tool. While it may not teach you all the technical aspects of photography, it’s an excellent way to practice composition and lighting. Smartphones are always with you, making it easy to capture spontaneous moments. By limiting yourself to a single focal length on your phone, you can further hone your skills without the bulk of a full camera setup. The convenience of smartphones means you can practice anytime, anywhere, turning everyday moments into opportunities for creative exploration.
Understanding light is another essential aspect Row covers. He advises against shooting in the harsh midday sun, as this often results in flat, uninteresting images. Instead, he recommends taking advantage of the golden hours—early morning or late afternoon—when the light is softer and shadows add depth to your photos. This knowledge of lighting can transform your photography, helping you capture more dynamic and visually appealing images. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Row.
I don’t understand the advice on light. Shooting in midday sun can be anything but flat and it totally depends on the genre and style of photography anyway. Plenty of people seek out midday shadows and light for the type of contrasty photos we see all the time on social media. Golden hour is good advice but if we all shot during those times, all our photos would look the same. In any case, I live in a country that is very grey and flat light for most of the year and I can’t afford to wait for the month or so when it is sunny. The advice on light would work for landscape photography but then this video isn’t specifying a particular genre.
I would say people should find a local area they like to go to photograph and keep going back at different times of the day, different times of the year and in different weather conditions to see how the light, seasons and weather affect the environment and influence our photos. There are no shortcuts to good photography and certainly not in a 12 minute video. Go out lots and keep practicing.
If you shoot only in times that has good lighting, you aren't really learning much. It's by pushing yourself to do shoot in complex it harsh lights that you learnt to do something new and different. You don't learn to ride a bike by using the training wheels for your whole life. You have to try it without them and learn to not rely on them in order to learn to ride the bike