Want to get started in photography?

• Find your inspiration

Do you find yourself taking portraits the most? Do you fancy abstract imagery or stunning landscapes? Perhaps you would like to get into event photography? Or do you simply want to capture every moment and object that catches your eye? Whatever it is that made you want to get into photography, hang on to it and use it as your inspiration to grow and follow your newfound passion.

A good way to find your inspiration is to figure out what you already like to do. If you love traveling, you can start by being a travel photographer. Similarly, if you’re into sports, you can try action and sports photography. Feel free to try out different types of photography that may interest you!

• Get a good camera

Once you’ve got a pretty good idea of what you want your subject to be, the only other thing you really need to start taking those amazing stills is a good camera. Today’s amateur photographers are lucky to have a wide variety of cameras that they can get their hands on. Just a few years ago, there was a significant gap between compact point-and-shoot cameras and more professional DSLR cameras in terms of image capability and price. Anybody who’s just learning photography now can purchase budget mid-pro mirrorless cameras that are not only very lightweight but also highly capable of delivering professional, magazine-quality images. But whatever you choose, it’s important that you learn how to use your camera, and that it fits your preferred type of photography.

As they say, the best camera is the one that you have with you.

• Compose carefully

In photography, it’s obviously always quality over quantity. Taking hundreds of pictures won’t make a photographer, especially if they shots are not well thought of. Before holding the camera up near your face and clicking the shutter, take a few seconds to study the scene, properly focus on your subject, and carefully frame your shot. Don’t just take photos of everything—as professionals say it, K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid). A simple tilt or movement of the camera to the right is capable of adding a story and appeal to a photo, so use that viewfinder well.

• Get active

Experience really is the best teacher. You can study and tinker with your camera settings all you want, but the only way that you’ll really learn photography is to bring your camera everywhere and make time for shooting. After all, what better way to practice and apply what you’ve learned than by actually going out there and taking pictures? You’ll be surprised by how much you’ll discover about your camera and your own artistic capabilities when you decide to have your camera within reach during your free time and organize shooting activities with fellow photographer friends.

• Find a mentor

Apart from finding your inspiration, find someone who can inspire you. That person can be a workshop teacher, a friend, or anyone you know who has been doing photography for quite a while. A mentor can teach you camera and photography tricks, give you lots of useful tips, share learning experiences, and answer any questions you may have in order to help you improve your photography. You can even tag along with your mentor, observe his work environment and how he executes his shots, and maybe even assist in doing some second-shooter tasks to help you gain more experience.

Someday, you’ll also have the honor to pass your knowledge on and be a mentor to another amateur photographer.