A few months ago, a simple question popped up in our community forums: What have you learned as a photographer that you would tell a beginner? The resulting discussion was insightful enough that we turned it into an article.
The reaction to that article was even bigger than the original discussion. The comment section blew up, with over 100 experienced photographers contributing tips and hard-earned wisdom.
We knew we had to share that collective knowledge with new photographers, so we analyzed the entire conversation to find the most common recommendations. Below are the top five pieces of advice for beginner photographers from the DPReview community, ranked by how many photographers commented on each.
Learn technique and composition (25% of feedback)
The most common advice from experienced photographers was to learn good technique and composition.
Photo: Dale Baskin
The most common advice from experienced photographers? Focus on technique and composition. Nailing the fundamentals is crucial, no matter your gear or subject.
Start by learning to see and use light effectively. "Every photo requires light. Understand good light," reader Peak freak told us. "This took me some years and many photographs. A pleasant side effect is that I now see 'good light' all the time. I don't have to be taking photos. "
"Every photo requires light. Understand good light. "
As you learn to see light, also learn the fundamentals of exposure: "Only aperture and shutter speed affect exposure," points out Jacques Cornell. "ISO is just gain after the fact. " That doesn't mean the ISO dial on your camera isn't useful, but it's essential to understand that changing ISO doesn't impact the amount of light you capture. Reader p51d007 also advises: "Take your camera out of the green A mode and experiment!"
Finally, much of the wisdom centered on composition: be aware of the entire frame and experiment with different angles. "Work the scene. That first photo may not turn out well. Change camera positions forward, backward, left, right, higher and lower," suggests TXforester.
Focus on mindset and philosophy (22% of feedback)
It's good to study the work of other photographers, but develop your own vision for your photography.
Photo: Dale Baskin
Photography isn't just a technical skill; for many, it's a journey of personal development where each photographer develops their own philosophy.
We heard a lot about finding your personal vision and shooting for yourself. As reader FotoFailure says, "Be true to you. It sounds selfish, but it's really not. Taking pictures for 'likes' and trying to emulate some YouTuber is a trap. " Another reader emphasized this, proclaiming, "If something is your passion or what your heart is burning for, go for it; if not, don't do it for the sake of appearance. "
Gear (20% of feedback)
One common tip when it comes to gear: the "good enough" philosophy that says you should keep using your current gear until you actually outgrow it or reach its limits.
On a gear-focused website, it's refreshing that equipment only ranks third. The most common advice was to avoid "Gear Acquisition Syndrome" (GAS).
"Don't fall prey to GAS (like I, and many others, have). Really learn the basics of photography with your current camera and kit lens. Then upgrade as needed, but resist the urge to upgrade simply because something is new or has cool features," says sirhawkeye.
"Don't fall prey to GAS. "
Many also advised prioritizing lenses, which often impact image quality more than a camera body. "Choose your camera system wisely, perhaps looking at lenses more than cameras. Cameras come and go, but lenses stick around forever," observes grasscatcher.
Finally, many espoused the "good enough" philosophy: you don't need the newest gear for great results. Notes Greg Edwards, "Cheaper, budget gear these days is amazing. Far better than it was 20 years ago. "
Learn and practice (18% of feedback)
If you want to improve, practice, and learn to understand your subject. You don't have to share your practice photos with anyone unless you want to.
Photo: Dale Baskin
"Photography is like playing a musical instrument. You have to practice, practice, practice, and never stop learning," says reader mcantsin. But readers also stressed learning from others.
Many recommended studying other photographers and painters, who were often masters of light. "Take time each day to study the images of others. Be analytical about what you do or do not like," says rickpappas. TurvyT adds, "Observe art, especially painting. Have favorite photographers and [view] them often. "
Experimenting was another common suggestion for improving your skills. "Learn everything you can about the fundamentals of photography, and then once you've learned all the rules, systematically break every one of them, one at a time, until you find your style," says f1point4andbethere.
Post-processing (6% of feedback)
Post-processing images can enhance your photos, but focus on nailing the fundamentals listed above first.
Screen capture: Mike Tomkins
We were surprised post-processing didn't rank higher, but it suggests that experienced photographers believe it's only valuable after you've started mastering the skills above.
"Editing can improve a good image just like good cooking can improve good base ingredients, but you can't turn sh*t into gold in the editing," lattesweden reminds us.
However, one consistent recommendation was to learn to shoot and process Raw images. Even if you don't use Raw all the time, the ability to process Raw files opens up a world of creative possibilities.
Tell us what you think
And there you have it: five essential pieces of advice crowdsourced from the collective experience of over 100 photographers.
What essential tips would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments.
Editor's note: Some quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and flow.
. dpreview.com2025-7-25 17:00
