Photographing is one of the most beautiful hobbies in the world. Do you think so too? Super, then we would have already clarified.
Nevertheless, entry into photography is not easy for many ambitious photographers. The first camera has been bought and the first photos are made quickly, but then many remain stuck and it just can not continue.
Of all the people who buy a camera, maybe 5% of them get into the photography and take stunning photos.
It does not have to be!
In this article, we will show you the 10 steps from the bloody photography novice to the ambitious hobby photographer and give you tips on how you can go this route as well. We want you to be the successful 5 percent in the end and we are sure you can do it!
We have been through all ten phases and therefore know what we are talking about. With us, the process took many years. So that you do not last so long, we wrote this post. So, and now do not lose time, let's go.
# 1 CAMERA BUY
100 percent of the photographers reach this stage.
To get started with the camera, you need a camera first. We assume that you have already bought a camera and have now come across our article because you want to take the first steps in photography. Super, then you can jump directly to point 2.
If you do not have a camera yet, you have to go this step. The good news: You do not have to spend tons of money on your first camera. Starting from about 300 to 400 euros you get a decent entry-level camera including lens.
If the huge Kameramarkt at the beginning of you something is overstrained, is not that bad. You do not stand alone there. Just watch our camera buying advice on. We will explain to you the different types of cameras and show you recommended models for getting started.
# 2 SHOOT IN THE AUTOMATIC MODE
100 percent of the photographers reach this stage.
The camera is there and unpacked. Now it's time to take a picture. Probably every photography novice will go his first steps in automatic mode. This is not at all bad and is not just for you.
Turn your mode wheel to "Auto" and go out. Take your first steps with your camera. You'll probably initially many typical rookie mistakes make, but that is part of the learning process easy to do so.
By the way, we've heard more often that photographers have their model wheels on A and then wonder why their pictures do not become as they imagine. A is not for automatic, but for aperture (aperture) and is already a somewhat advanced mode. Make sure that your wheel is either on automatic or on P (automatic program).
# 3 WANT MORE
80 percent of the photographers beginners reach this level.
At step # 2, the first photographers are already stuck. The pictures from the automatic mode are also quite neat and it is simply missing the motivation to deal deeper with the matter. No problem. If you are happy with your automatic photos and do not have any bigger ambitions, then we do not want to persuade you.
Or do you ask yourself questions such as: Why are all the cogs and knobs there? How can I make great photos with a blurred background? How can I take pictures in the dark?
Super, with you it seems in the fingers to tingling and you want finally the possibilities of your camera really upset. The automatic mode has clearly its limits and many photographers want to overcome these limits. You also? Super, then you belong to the 80 percent who have made it to this point.
# 4 PHOTOGRAPHY KNOWLEDGE
70 percent of photographers reach this stage.
As always, it will remain with some photographers with the good intentions, be it from lack of time, laziness or lack of motivation. So there are also some on the track at step # 3.
We simply assume that you belong to the 70 percent who are still there. Otherwise you'd probably not be here. Looking at the Internet for simple explanations is for many the next step, others buy themselves photography books and try to fathom the secrets of photography.
What is neglected by many photographers is the camera manual. We strongly recommend that you do not leave your camera book on the left, but to really use it. Unlike the instructions of a coffee machine are many camera books really extensive and quite helpful. Try it!
# 5 PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
50 percent of photographers reach this stage.
Even at step # 4, many photographers will be stuck again. There, full motivation is rolled over the Internet and books are bought, only to forget the most important thing in photography: practicing!
It has really not become a photographer better just because he has read a book or read a manual on the Internet. You can only progress through: practicing, practicing, practicing. And practice!
Up to this stage, perhaps half of all people who have once bought a camera with big intentions can create it. Are you in? Yes? Juhuuu!
# 6 THE PHOTOGRAPHY DEPRESSION
50 percent of photographers reach this stage.
If you made it up to step # 5, then you have really come a long way. Unfortunately, you will almost inevitably land at level # 6: in the photo depression.
The symptoms are always the same: the initial euphoria of exercise disappears and the camera is more and more frequently lying.
The reasons are different: in many cases it is time deficit, others lack the real progress and they do not see any real improvement compared to the automatic mode.
We do not know a photographer who has not walked through this stage at least once.
If you are here, you are at the crossroads. Many photographers, who are full of motivation and good intentions, are leaving here. They simply take pictures back in the automatic mode and the camera is, if at all, unpacked only during vacation.
This is a pity, because if you have made it to this point, the road to success is no longer so far. Do not get caught up in the photography depression and go your way further!
# 7 FINDING THE WAY TO THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SUCCESS
20 percent of photographers reach this stage.
In order to beat the photography depression, Step # 7 is the most important step in taking pictures.
You have probably already tried a lot, have a little in your Kamerahand book, perhaps a book or several tutorials on the Internet read. Maybe you already know about how aperture, shutter speed and ISO work and what you can do with it all.
However, to get ahead, you have to choose a path and go it consistently. There are three main ways to success in photography and we will introduce you to you.
1 - read photographs and learn to take pictures in self-study
Can you motivate yourself very well? This is great, because then self-learning is the right path for you. Whether you're doing this with your camera book, or photographing books is a matter of taste.
However, only a few are able to go this route really consistently. We have tried this way ourselves and have failed terrific.
This looked something like this: We bought a book and a little with our cameras rumprobiert. The book is then landed in the closet and the camera also. A few months later we bought a new book and photographed again. Until the next book in the closet has landed and so on.
In the end, we had many books on the shelf, but with the photography we did not really get any further. You see, this method is really only something if you are disciplined and can motivate yourself.
2 - Photo courses
This method has worked much better with us. We visited different photography courses at the Volkshochschule at our beginning as a photographer. The prices for such courses are manageable. We paid about 100 Euro each for a course with about 8 dates.
Through these courses, we were forced to deal with photography really regularly. This is really important when you want to learn to photograph. These two courses actually took us a few steps in the right direction.
Of course, VHS courses are quite old-fashioned and time-consuming, they are often hard to reconcile with their professional life. Nevertheless we can recommend you such a course of good conscience.
If money does not play a big role, you can of course also book private lessons. There are many photographers who offer their services. However, this is not quite favorable.
3 - An online photo course
We have always missed appointments at the fotocours we visited, because we had to work longer or were not in the city. And somehow this classroom atmosphere in the Volkshochschule with the retired photographer as a teacher did not really fit us. With learning from books it did not work either.
We wanted a photo course at the time, which is fun to us, which is unrestricted in time and does not communicate knowledge in the old-fashioned, but in a modern way. We did not find it at the time, but still managed to get a photographer after hard work.
So far so good. But since we are not the only ones with this problem, we took it into our own hands and developed our online photo course as we would have liked it at that time. So, and now there is another way to the photographic success, the 22places online photography course.
In our course, you will learn the complete basic knowledge of photography in 59 lessons, 40 videos and many practical exercises: technical principles, image design, light and image processing. Fun at learning and easy-to-understand explanations are a matter of heart to us and so the course is also designed.
Perhaps that could also be your way to the photographic success? Here you find more infos: 22places online photography course .
# 8 GOING THE WAY
15 percent of photographers reach this stage.
If you have chosen one of the ways, go it consistently. When you buy a book, it does not leave after a few hours. If you want to book a course, go to each appointment and sign up for the next one before the first course is over. And if you decide on our online course, log in regularly and see a new lesson!
Go through the path and do not give up at the first Stolpersteinen. Try another way, if you realize that the path you choose is really not the right one for you.
# 9 PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
10 percent of photographers reach this stage.
None of the ways will lead you to the goal without diligence. Whether you're studying with books, attending VHS classes, or doing our online photography course, you'll only be able to make progress when you apply the lessons learned over and over again.
Go as often as you can with your camera and try out your new knowledge. You will notice how you are getting better and better. At some point, you will be able to make manual settings as if you were thinking about it for a long time.
Find the best companion. For two or three, it is always easiest. You can thus motivate each other and pursue a common goal. It's also fun to be with friends and share a hobby.
# 10 SET GOALS AND ROCK THE PHOTOGRAPH
5 percent of the photographers reach this stage.
If you arrived at step # 9, you did it real! Congratulations!
Step # 10 is then the icing on the cake. Set goals and start your own photo projects. Probably, in the meantime certain motifs have emerged, which you especially like to photograph.
What do you prefer? Architecture photograph or photograph landscapes ? Or you are more interested in portraiture and documentary photography? No matter what it is, when you have found your passion, keep following it. Show your photos and get better and better.
Photographing is the most beautiful hobby in the world. Or not?
