100 Tips from a Professional Photographer

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Elimentals

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100 Tips from a Professional Photographer

Here's a list of tips, advice, rules and just things to know about photography from Eric Kim, a street photographer who also holds photography workshop classes. I think the gist of it is to keep taking pictures always.

1. Just because someone has an expensive camera doesn't mean that they're a good photographer.
2. Always shoot in RAW. Always.
3. Prime lenses help you learn to be a better photographer.
4. Photo editing is an art in itself
5. The rule of thirds works 99% of the time.
6. Macro photography isn't for everybody.
7. UV filters work just as well as lens caps.
8. Go outside & shoot photos rather than spending hours a day on photography forums.
9. Capture the beauty in the mundane and you have a winning photograph.
10. Film isn't better than digital.
11. Digital isn't better than film.
12. There is no "magic" camera or lens.
13. Better lenses don't give you better photos.
14. Spend less time looking at other people's work and more time shooting your own.
15. Don't take your DSLR to parties.
16. Girls dig photographers.
17. Making your photos b/w doesn't automatically make them "artsy"
18. People will always discredit your work if you tell them you "photoshop" your images. Rather, tell them that you process them in the "digital darkroom".
19. You don't need to take a photo of everything.
20. Have at least 2 backups of all your images. Like they say in war, two is one, one is none.
21. Ditch the neck strap and get a handstrap.
22. Get closer when taking your photos, they often turn out better.
23. Be a part of a scene while taking a photo; not a voyeur.
24. Taking a photo crouched often make your photos look more interesting.
25. Worry less about technical aspects and focus more on compositional aspects of photography.
26. Tape up any logos on your camera with black gaffers tape- it brings a lot less attention to you.
27. Always underexpose by 2/3rds of a stop when shooting in broad daylight.
28. The more photos you take, the better you get.
29. Don't be afraid to take several photos of the same scene at different exposures, angles, or apertures.
30. Only show your best photos.
31. A point-and-shoot is still a camera.
32. Join an online photography forum.
33. Critique the works of others.
34. Think before you shoot.
35. A good photo shouldn't require explanation (although background information often adds to an image). *
36. Alcohol and photography do not mix well.
37. Draw inspiration from other photographers but never worship them.
38. Grain is beautiful.
39. Ditch the photo backpack and get a messenger bag. It makes getting your lenses and camera a whole lot easier.
40. Simplicity is key.
41. The definition of photography is: "painting with light." Use light in your favor.
42. Find your style of photography and stick with it.
43. Having a second monitor is the best thing ever for photo processing.
44. Silver EFEX pro is the best b/w converter.
45. Carry your camera with you everywhere. Everywhere.
46. Never let photography get in the way of enjoying life.
47. Don't pamper your camera. Use and abuse it.
48. Take straight photos.
49. Shoot with confidence.
50. Photography and juxtaposition are best friends.
51. Print out your photos big. They will make you happy.
52. Give your photos to friends.
53. Give them to strangers.
54. Don't forget to frame them.
55. Costco prints are cheap and look great.
56. Go out and take photos with (a) friend(s).
57. Join a photo club or start one for yourself.
58. Photos make great presents.
59. Taking photos of strangers is thrilling.
60. Candid>Posed.
61. Natural light is the best light.
62. 35mm (on full frame) is the best "walk-around" focal length.
63. Don't be afraid to bump up your ISO when necessary.
64. You don't need to always bring a tripod with you everywhere you go (hell, I don't even own one).
65. It is always better to underexpose than overexpose.
66. Shooting photos of homeless people in an attempt to be "artsy" is exploitation.
67. You will find the best photo opportunities in the least likely situations.
68. Photos are always more interesting with the human element included.
69. You can't "photoshop" bad images into good ones.
70. Nowadays everybody is a photographer.
71. You don't need to fly to Paris to get good photos; the best photo opportunities are in your backyard.
72. People with DSLRS who shoot portraits with their grip pointed downwards look like morons.
73. Cameras as tools, not toys.
74. In terms of composition, photography and painting aren't much different.
75. Photography isn't a hobby- it's a lifestyle.
76. Make photos, not excuses.
77. Be original in your photography. Don't try to copy the style of others.
78. The best photographs tell stories that begs the viewer for more.
79. Any cameras but black ones draw too much attention.
80. The more gear you carry around with you the less you will enjoy photography.
81. Good self-portraits are harder to take than they seem.
82. Laughter always draws out peoples' true character in a photograph.
83. Don't look suspicious when taking photos- blend in with the environment.
84. Landscape photography can become dull after a while.
85. Have fun while taking photos.
86. Never delete any of your photos.
87. Be respectful when taking photos of people or places.
88. When taking candid photos of people in the street, it is easier to use a wide-angle than a telephoto lens.
89. Travel and photography are the perfect pair.
90. Learn how to read a histogram.
91. A noisy photo is better than a blurry one.
92. Don't be afraid to take photos in the rain.
93. Learn how to enjoy the moment, rather than relentlessly trying to capture the perfect picture of it.
94. Never take photos on an empty stomach.
95. You will discover a lot about yourself through your photography.
96. Never hoard your photographic insight- share it with the world.
97. Never stop taking photos
98. Photography is more than simply taking photos, it is a philosophy of life
99. Capture the decisive moment
100. Write your own list.
Click to expand...

Source Gizmodo

Would be interesting to hear comments from local pro's re the list
 
26. Tape up any logos on your camera with black gaffers tape- it brings a lot less attention to you.
Click to expand...

I'm not a photographer but I like this one.
 
atomcrusher said:
I'd be interested in comments on this one:

I take a lot of photos in RAW, but not always ... I'd need to get far higher-GB SD cards for my camera
Click to expand...

I do that, even if I am not a pro like others on this list, purely because it allows me to fix certain errors like color balancing when I am back at the PC.

A program I simply can not live without is Digital Photo Professional that came with my Camera and allows for the following to be changed:

WyPVX.jpg


Before I export it to Photoshop to either save or apply other post production effects, sometimes its simple things like removing something that breaks the photo.
 
Elimentals said:
Before I export it to Photoshop to either save or apply other post production effects, sometimes its simple things like removing something that breaks the photo.
Click to expand...

Like

3TyMO.jpg


from

Eh3lX.jpg


Dam sometimes you got to love content aware :)
 
1. Just because someone has an expensive camera doesn't mean that they're a good photographer. Agree
2. Always shoot in RAW. Always. Disagree
3. Prime lenses help you learn to be a better photographer. Don't know
4. Photo editing is an art in itself Agree
5. The rule of thirds works 99% of the time. Disagree
6. Macro photography isn't for everybody. Agree
7. UV filters work just as well as lens caps. Disagree
8. Go outside & shoot photos rather than spending hours a day on photography forums. Agree
9. Capture the beauty in the mundane and you have a winning photograph. Agree
10. Film isn't better than digital. Agree
11. Digital isn't better than film. Agree
12. There is no "magic" camera or lens. Agree
13. Better lenses don't give you better photos. Don't know
14. Spend less time looking at other people's work and more time shooting your own. Disagree
15. Don't take your DSLR to parties. Disagree
16. Girls dig photographers. Agree
17. Making your photos b/w doesn't automatically make them "artsy" Agree
18. People will always discredit your work if you tell them you "photoshop" your images. Rather, tell them that you process them in the "digital darkroom". Don't know
19. You don't need to take a photo of everything. Disagree
20. Have at least 2 backups of all your images. Like they say in war, two is one, one is none. Agree
21. Ditch the neck strap and get a handstrap. Disagree
22. Get closer when taking your photos, they often turn out better. Agree
23. Be a part of a scene while taking a photo; not a voyeur. Disagree
24. Taking a photo crouched often make your photos look more interesting. Don't know
25. Worry less about technical aspects and focus more on compositional aspects of photography. Agree
26. Tape up any logos on your camera with black gaffers tape- it brings a lot less attention to you. Don't know
27. Always underexpose by 2/3rds of a stop when shooting in broad daylight. Disagree
28. The more photos you take, the better you get. Agree
29. Don't be afraid to take several photos of the same scene at different exposures, angles, or apertures. Agree
30. Only show your best photos. Disagree
31. A point-and-shoot is still a camera. Agree
32. Join an online photography forum. Don't know
33. Critique the works of others. Don't know
34. Think before you shoot. Agree
35. A good photo shouldn't require explanation (although background information often adds to an image). * Don't know
36. Alcohol and photography do not mix well. Don't know
37. Draw inspiration from other photographers but never worship them. Agree
38. Grain is beautiful. Don't know
39. Ditch the photo backpack and get a messenger bag. It makes getting your lenses and camera a whole lot easier. Don't know
40. Simplicity is key. Don't know
41. The definition of photography is: "painting with light." Use light in your favor. Agree
42. Find your style of photography and stick with it. Disagree
43. Having a second monitor is the best thing ever for photo processing. Don't know
44. Silver EFEX pro is the best b/w converter. Agree
45. Carry your camera with you everywhere. Everywhere. Agree
46. Never let photography get in the way of enjoying life. Don't know
47. Don't pamper your camera. Use and abuse it. Agree
48. Take straight photos. Don't know
49. Shoot with confidence. Agree
50. Photography and juxtaposition are best friends. Don't know
51. Print out your photos big. They will make you happy. Agree
52. Give your photos to friends. Agree
53. Give them to strangers. Agree
54. Don't forget to frame them. Don't know
55. Costco prints are cheap and look great. Don't know
56. Go out and take photos with (a) friend(s). Agree
57. Join a photo club or start one for yourself. Don't know
58. Photos make great presents. Agree
59. Taking photos of strangers is thrilling. Don't know
60. Candid>Posed. Disagree
61. Natural light is the best light. Agree
62. 35mm (on full frame) is the best "walk-around" focal length. Don't know
63. Don't be afraid to bump up your ISO when necessary. Agree
64. You don't need to always bring a tripod with you everywhere you go (hell, I don't even own one). Agree
65. It is always better to underexpose than overexpose. Don't know
66. Shooting photos of homeless people in an attempt to be "artsy" is exploitation. Don't know
67. You will find the best photo opportunities in the least likely situations. Agree
68. Photos are always more interesting with the human element included. Don't know
69. You can't "photoshop" bad images into good ones. Don't know
70. Nowadays everybody is a photographer. Don't know
71. You don't need to fly to Paris to get good photos; the best photo opportunities are in your backyard. Agree
72. People with DSLRS who shoot portraits with their grip pointed downwards look like morons. Don't know
73. Cameras as tools, not toys. Agree
74. In terms of composition, photography and painting aren't much different. Agree
75. Photography isn't a hobby- it's a lifestyle. Agree
76. Make photos, not excuses. Agree
77. Be original in your photography. Don't try to copy the style of others. Disagree
78. The best photographs tell stories that begs the viewer for more. Disagree
79. Any cameras but black ones draw too much attention. Don't know
80. The more gear you carry around with you the less you will enjoy photography. Don't know
81. Good self-portraits are harder to take than they seem. Agree
82. Laughter always draws out peoples' true character in a photograph. Disagree
83. Don't look suspicious when taking photos- blend in with the environment. Agree
84. Landscape photography can become dull after a while. Agree
85. Have fun while taking photos. Agree
86. Never delete any of your photos. Disagree
87. Be respectful when taking photos of people or places. Agree
88. When taking candid photos of people in the street, it is easier to use a wide-angle than a telephoto lens. Disagree
89. Travel and photography are the perfect pair. Agree
90. Learn how to read a histogram. Agree
91. A noisy photo is better than a blurry one. Don't know
92. Don't be afraid to take photos in the rain. Agree
93. Learn how to enjoy the moment, rather than relentlessly trying to capture the perfect picture of it. Agree
94. Never take photos on an empty stomach. Don't know
95. You will discover a lot about yourself through your photography. Agree
96. Never hoard your photographic insight- share it with the world. Agree
97. Never stop taking photos Agree
98. Photography is more than simply taking photos, it is a philosophy of life Agree
99. Capture the decisive moment Agree
100. Write your own list.
 
2. Always shoot in RAW. Always.
Click to expand...

Depends. Personally, the best idea is to shoot as you mean it to come out. That way, your PP is vastly reduced.

3. Prime lenses help you learn to be a better photographer.
Click to expand...

Yeeees, kinda. One of the best things I ever did was sit with only my 50mm prime and do everything with that. Forces you to really think.

7. UV Filters work just as well as lens caps.
Click to expand...

To an extent - especially if you have to have the lens cap off often or for a long time. I've had some good lenses saved by a simple UV filter that
took the knock instead of the glass.

15. Don't take your DSLR to parties.
Click to expand...

Agree - if only because if I do, I tend to miss out on the party itself. But party photographs are some of my favourites.

33. Critique the work of others.
Click to expand...

Hell yes. Constructive criticism is always good - especially if you get and give.

One place that is phenomenal for Photography is Google+ - absolutely insane talent on there and a real friendly bunch of people.
 
Elimentals said:
Just one question, why do you disagree on RAW format?
Click to expand...
Most of the time I find it unnecessary, particularly if you know how to adjust your camera settings. I'm not saying I never use RAW, but I generally reserve it for high ISO work or other situations that have tricky lighting.
 
bwana said:
Most of the time I find it unnecessary, particularly if you know how to adjust your camera settings. I'm not saying I never use RAW, but I generally reserve it for high ISO work or other situations that have tricky lighting.
Click to expand...

Aah, ok, so for a noob like me that have no clue about all the settings, its still better to use RAW, esp seeing that I have no worries about space concerns. Then again I guess if I stop using post production I'll probably try and learn how to use the the settings better.
 
Elimentals said:
Aah, ok, so for a noob like me that have no clue about all the settings, its still better to use RAW, esp seeing that I have no worries about space concerns. Then again I guess if I stop using post production I'll probably try and learn how to use the the settings better.
Click to expand...
Honestly it's better to learn now. I think you'll notice a bigger improvement when you do shooting RAW and the PP work will be much quicker, esp if you're using DPP.
 
91. A noisy photo is better than a blurry one.

I'm no pro, but I regret not having learnt this lesson years ago. I always tried to reach base ISO, often resulting in blurry shots. Now I choose the correct shutter speed for the subject over the ISO speed (often with minimum shutter speed via Auto ISO). It has transformed my wildlife shots.

Both motion blur and noise rob sharpness, but high ISO noise is easier to get rid of in PP than motion blur.
 
Interesting list, but it's obviously one person's opinion, and everyone's going to disagree on certain aspects.

wrt to shooting on RAW, I'm not a professional photographer, but with my camera (Canon 350D), shooting sports events, where I'm often taking several burst shots in quick succession, I can't take RAW photos, because my camera just hangs. The 350D doesn't have a lot of RAM, and I'm not willing to pay for even higher speed cards than what I currently have.

For me JPEG does the job, and at times I manage to get it to hang as well as it desperately tries to write all my photos to card.


I'm unsure on this, from comments, is a prime lens a fixed-focal length lens?
 
GarethC said:
Interesting list, but it's obviously one person's opinion, and everyone's going to disagree on certain aspects.

wrt to shooting on RAW, I'm not a professional photographer, but with my camera (Canon 350D), shooting sports events, where I'm often taking several burst shots in quick succession, I can't take RAW photos, because my camera just hangs. The 350D doesn't have a lot of RAM, and I'm not willing to pay for even higher speed cards than what I currently have.
Click to expand...
Good, because it probably wouldn't help - until it comes time to offload to your computer. That's the only reason I use UDMA cards in my 1D. The camera cant take advantage of the cards but my card reader sure can.
I'm unsure on this, from comments, is a prime lens a fixed-focal length lens?
Click to expand...
Yes.
 
Aaah now everything makes sense:

[video=youtube;6-NhJua5NFA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-NhJua5NFA[/video]

PS: I Placed this here seeing that the thread is about tips about Photography so I am sure noobs like me would venture into the thread. People are welcome to post it on other places if need be.
 
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