Understanding Your Camera

During the pandemic, I acquired a mirrorless camera and began exploring landscape photography as a new hobby. Over the past two years, I've had a blast, but reflecting on my experiences, there are several aspects I wish I had approached differently. Here are some essential tips for aspiring photographers looking to refine their craft.

1. Master Your Camera Settings: Before heading out, take the time to familiarize yourself with your camera's settings. I purchased my Fuji XT200 on a Saturday and was eager to start capturing images at the beach the very next day using the landscape mode. While it was enjoyable, I soon realized the downside of not experimenting further. That Sunday, the sunrise was breathtaking, and I captured some stunning shots, leading me to believe I was a natural. I neglected to explore other settings for quite a while.
2. Transition to Manual Mode: Embrace manual mode as soon as you can. While program settings like Aperture and Shutter priority are useful for specific photography styles, manual mode allows you to quickly grasp the fundamentals of photography—Shutter speed, ISO, and Aperture—which will expedite your learning process.
3. Invest in a Quality Kit Lens: Your camera usually comes with a kit lens, which is an excellent starting point. These lenses are often affordable and feature a zoom capability with variable apertures. For instance, my kit lens was a 15 to 45 mm F3.5 to 5.6, meaning that at 45 mm, my widest aperture was 5.6. This setup is beneficial for quickly understanding aperture and focal lengths compared to using a prime lens.
4. Consider a Manual Prime Lens Next: Many tend to overlook manual lenses due to their challenging focus. However, once you master this skill, you can set the lens and forget it, making it ideal for street photography. Furthermore, using manual settings encourages you to rely on your skills and camera features, which ultimately helps you become a more proficient photographer.
5. Avoid Gear Review Distractions: I often find myself lost in a sea of lens review videos, wasting precious time. While there are fantastic content creators who focus on composition and techniques, it's important to limit your gear review consumption. The best camera is the one you currently own.
6. Practice Regularly: I've discovered that photography is a wonderfully relaxing pastime. While street photography can be a bit more intense for me, getting out and taking pictures consistently enhances my skills.
7. Explore Various Photography Genres: Initially drawn to photography by captivating landscape videos, I focused solely on long exposure landscapes for too long. In hindsight, I wish I had experimented with different styles to broaden my experience.
8. Pursue Photography for Yourself: If you're seeking validation through social media likes, your passion may be short-lived. I started with dreams of becoming the next Peter McKinnon, but I soon learned that the journey itself is what truly matters, not the end goal.

Throughout these past couple of years, my photography journey has been incredibly fulfilling, and I look forward to continuing this adventure. If you're on a similar path, I invite you to share your experiences and the mistakes you've learned from.

Chapter 2: Avoid Common Beginner Mistakes in Photography

To further enhance your photography skills, it's crucial to steer clear of typical errors that many newcomers make.

In this section, we'll explore key pitfalls and provide helpful strategies to avoid them.

The first video, "Avoid These Mistakes When Beginning Photography," offers valuable insights into common missteps that can hinder your progress as a photographer.

Additionally,

the second video, "5 BIGGEST MISTAKES WHEN STARTING PHOTOGRAPHY (and how to avoid them)," further details critical errors and how to overcome them effectively.