10 Things to Learn About Photography

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By Kelly, from Kelly Tareski Photography

10 Things to Learn About Photography - Photography is about far more than just taking pictures—it’s about capturing moments, telling stories, and conveying emotion through a single frame. I’m Kelly from Kelly Tareski Photography, and I’ve learned firsthand how rewarding (and sometimes challenging) the journey can be. Whether you’re shooting on your phone or wielding a professional DSLR, the fundamentals of good photography remain the same. In the paragraphs that follow, I’ll walk you through ten essential tips that will help elevate your images, sharpen your skills, and spark your creativity every time you pick up a camera. Let’s dive in!

1. Understand the Exposure Triangle

   • What It Is: The exposure triangle consists of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. These three work together to control the amount of light that hits your camera’s sensor.
   • Why It Matters: Mastering this balance ensures you can properly expose photos in various lighting conditions.
   • Practical Tip: Practice taking the same shot multiple times, varying only one setting (e.g., aperture) each time, and observe how it changes the photo’s brightness and depth of field.

2. Composition Is Key

   • What It Is: Composition is how you frame your subject within the image, using techniques like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and symmetry.
   • Why It Matters: Strong composition draws the viewer’s eye to the most important elements and makes your photos more engaging.
   • Practical Tip: Before pressing the shutter, pause and look at all four corners of the frame. Make sure there’s nothing distracting or cutting off important details.

3. Work with the Light You Have

   • What It Is: Whether it’s natural sunlight, indoor ambient light, or flash, the quality and direction of light can transform an image.
   • Why It Matters: Understanding light—how it falls on your subject, the shadows it creates—gives you control over mood and clarity.
   • Practical Tip: Experiment with different times of day (e.g., golden hour or midday) to see how the color and intensity of light affect your photos.

4. Tell a Story

   • What It Is: Photography isn’t just about snapping a picture; it’s about capturing an emotion, a moment, or a narrative.
   • Why It Matters: Photos that convey a story or evoke an emotion resonate more deeply with viewers.
   • Practical Tip: Before shooting, ask yourself: “What story am I trying to tell?” Let that guide your composition, angles, and subjects.

5. Focus on Your Subject

   • What It Is: Good focus ensures that the most important part of your image is sharp and clear.
   • Why It Matters: If your subject is out of focus, you lose impact—especially in portraits or action shots.
   • Practical Tip: Use single-point autofocus to pinpoint exactly where you want the camera to focus (e.g., the subject’s eye in portrait photography).

6. Make the Most of Your Gear—But Don’t Let It Limit You

   • What It Is: Having the latest camera body or expensive lenses can help, but a great photographer can capture beautiful images with any gear.
   • Why It Matters: Understanding your camera’s settings and lens capabilities frees you to be creative without constantly worrying about gear limitations.
   • Practical Tip: Spend time learning each feature of your current camera rather than rushing to buy new equipment. Mastery of your gear trumps novelty every time.

7. Post-Processing Enhances (Not Fixes) Great Images

   • What It Is: Editing in Lightroom, Photoshop, or other software can fine-tune color, contrast, and cropping.
   • Why It Matters: Subtle editing can bring out the best in an already well-composed and well-exposed photo, while over-editing can make an image look unnatural.
   • Practical Tip: Aim for a light touch. Start with basic adjustments—exposure, white balance, and contrast—before applying filters or effects.

8. Practice Patience and Planning

   • What It Is: Great photography often requires patience (waiting for the perfect light or the perfect expression) and planning (location scouting, timing, gear prep).
   • Why It Matters: Rushing a shoot can lead to missed opportunities or poorly executed images. Good planning and patience let you fully capture the essence of a scene.
   • Practical Tip: If you’re shooting at a specific location, visit it beforehand to see how the light behaves at different times. That extra step can make all the difference.

9. Embrace Continuous Learning

   • What It Is: The photography world is ever-evolving with new techniques, technology, and styles.
   • Why It Matters: Staying curious keeps your work fresh and expands your skill set.
   • Practical Tip: Follow other photographers, join local photography groups, or take online courses to stay motivated and inspired.

10. Develop Your Personal Style

• What It Is: Over time, you’ll naturally lean toward certain subjects, color palettes, or compositional choices—this forms your photographic “signature.”
• Why It Matters: A recognizable style helps you stand out and cultivates a loyal audience who appreciates your unique perspective.
• Practical Tip: Experiment and reflect on the images you’re most proud of. Identify common elements (like moody lighting, vibrant colors, candid portraits, etc.) and lean into those qualities.

That's a Wrap!

10 Things to Learn About Photography - Photography is a balance of technical understanding, artistic vision, and personal expression. When you blend these elements together, you’ll not only capture beautiful images but also share compelling visual stories that connect with people.

If you want to learn more, ask questions, or schedule a session, I’d love to hear from you. Keep exploring, keep experimenting, and remember—it’s the passion behind the lens that makes a truly memorable photograph. 10 Things to Learn About Photography.