10 Photography Mistakes Beginners Make // Photo Pro

Full Time Filmmaker

24 May 202120:48

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video discusses common mistakes beginner photographers make and provides tips to improve. It emphasizes practicing with your current gear rather than obsessing over equipment upgrades, using proper camera settings like shooting in RAW, composing shots thoughtfully using techniques like the rule of thirds, and manipulating light effectively. Additional advice includes achieving sharp focus, capturing movement and action, choosing the right lenses per scenario, posing subjects naturally, avoiding overediting images, and dedicating time to honing your craft by continuously creating work and learning from those more experienced.

Takeaways

😟 Don't let gear be an excuse for not creating content. Focus on improving skills rather than obsessing over equipment.
📷 Use proper camera settings like shooting in RAW and manual mode for more flexibility in post-processing.
🖼️ Pay attention to composition elements like filling the frame, background, rule of thirds, and depth.
💡 Learn to shape flattering light instead of just shooting in harsh midday light.
🧐 Use back button focus and fast shutter speeds to nail critical focus.
🏃‍♂️ Capture dynamic moments of movement and emotion for impactful images.
📐 Choose lenses suited for your shooting scenario, like portraits vs landscapes.
🕴️ Guide subjects naturally instead of forcing awkward poses.
✂️ Avoid over-processing images in editing by knowing when to stop pushing adjustments.
📈 Spend more time practicing and applying skills rather than just consuming inspiration.

Q & A

What is the first mistake beginner photographers make according to the video?
-The first mistake is focusing too much on gear and not enough on developing skills and getting out to shoot with the gear they already have.
What are some common camera setting mistakes beginner photographers make?
-Some common mistakes are: shooting in automatic mode instead of learning manual settings, shooting in JPEG instead of RAW format, and using the wrong white balance setting.
How can you improve the composition of your photos?
-Tips for better composition include: filling the frame with your subject, using the rule of thirds for positioning, adding depth through foreground elements or camera angles, and being aware of leading lines and framing.
What makes lighting one of the hardest photography skills to master?
-Lighting is difficult because there are many factors to control like direction, quality, intensity, and color. Learning to shape light takes a lot of practice to create flattering and dramatic effects.
What are some tips to help get better focused photos?
-Tips include: using servo autofocus mode, increasing shutter speed to freeze motion, and trying back button focus to seamlessly switch between focus modes.
Why is capturing movement and emotion important in photos?
-Photos with action and authentic moments better convey stories and moods. Staged lifeless photos often look boring. Good timing is key to capturing peak moments.
How do lens choices affect the look of your photos?
-Different lenses have different purposes. Wide angles show more environment, telephotos isolate subjects, and portraits need short telephotos around 85mm. Choose focal lengths suited to your subject and scene.
What are some tips for better posing and directing subjects?
-Guide people into natural poses instead of overly placing them, use descriptive direction to elicit real emotion, make them comfortable, and watch for awkwardness.
What are signs that you have over-processed a photo?
-Clues of overediting are unnatural colors, plastic skin, excessive contrast or clarity, and anything distracting from the actual subject of the image.
What is the best way to improve your photography skills?
-Practice constantly, shoot hundreds of times more than you view others' work. Compare today's work only to your past. Consume inspiration in small doses.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to the new photo pro mini course

The introduction paragraph discusses the launch of a new mini course called photo pro. Parker introduces Nate Taylor, who will be leading the course. Nate shares that they will cover the top 10 mistakes beginners make in photography.

05:02

👨‍🦯 Mistake 1: Focusing too much on gear

The first mistake is focusing too much on camera gear and not spending enough time practicing and developing skills. Beginners should not use lack of high-end gear as an excuse to not create. Focus on learning to utilize what gear you already have.

10:03

⚙️ Mistake 2: Using the wrong camera settings

The second mistake covers using incorrect camera settings like shooting mode, white balance, JPEG vs RAW, etc. Key tips are to learn manual mode, shoot RAW for flexibility, and properly expose images.

15:04

🎯 Mistake 3: Bad composition

The third mistake is about poor composition elements like not filling the frame, improper use of rule of thirds, and lack of depth. Tips given are to get closer, find leading lines, change angles and perspectives.

20:05

💡 Mistake 4: Bad lighting

The fourth mistake covers improper use of lighting. Key tips cover choosing better times of day, using reflectors and flashes, and softening light sources for more flattering portraits.

📸 Mistake 5: Soft focus

The fifth mistake is about soft focus issues. Tips given include using servo mode, increasing shutter speed to freeze motion, and trying back button focusing for better focus control.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡gear

The video emphasizes not becoming overly focused on camera gear and settings. Beginners often use having inferior gear as an excuse for not creating good work. But you can start with cheap, basic equipment and still create professional-level content by focusing more on developing your skills.

💡composition

How the various elements and subjects are arranged within the photo frame. Common beginner mistakes include not filling enough of the frame with the main subject, distracting backgrounds, awkward positioning using the rule of thirds, and lack of depth and leading lines.

💡lighting

The quality, direction, and other properties of light are crucial for flattering, professional images. Beginners often shoot at high noon or use a bare flash, creating harsh raccoon eyes. Key tips are diffusing light, golden hour, and separating subjects from the background with rim lighting.

💡focus

Many beginner photos turn out blurry due to incorrect settings like one-shot focus, slow shutter speeds, and shaky hands. Tips include back-button focus, servo mode, faster speeds, and preventing subject/camera movement after focusing.

💡movement

Capturing a decisive moment, facial expression, or meaningful action makes much more compelling images than static poses. But beginners often show inanimate subjects or fail to anticipate and capture moments at events like weddings and sports games.

💡lens

Choosing a focal length unsuited to the shot type is a common mistake. Examples are using wide angles for distorted people portraits or failing to zoom in sufficiently to fill the frame with sports action.

💡posing

Instead of forcing awkward, unnatural poses, guide people to do flattering activities that bring out candid emotions and expressions. Also watch for tense body language indicating discomfort.

💡editing

Overediting images decreases professionalism by moving them into garish, artificial-looking territory. But subtle improvements through cropping, color, contrast, etc. enhance images when done with a light hand. Know when to stop.

💡comparison

Comparing your own work solely to advanced professionals will destroy your confidence. Instead compare yourself to your previous skill level to see tangible progress as you put in consistent effort and practice.

💡practice

Doing occasional occasional shoots will not get you out of beginner status quickly. Progress requires shooting far more often - hundreds of sessions over years - and spending more time creating work than passively viewing others'.

Highlights

Don't let gear be your excuse for not creating good content

Instead of spending 100 of your money on new gear spend some of that to take classes or find a mentor

Knowing how to properly compose an image will instantly up your photo game

One of the biggest things that separates a professional photographer from a beginner is their ability to use and shape light

Most cameras by default have their focus settings set to one shot, so that's the setting most beginners use

The ability to see moments as they happen, and capture them beautifully is what will separate a professional, from an amateur photographer

Some lenses are better for certain types of photography than others

Capturing movement emotion and actions are what makes a good photograph

Don't stage all of your shots instead, direct your subjects to do something of interest

You need to lead and guide them to what you want by establishing a common vocabulary between you and the couple

The key is learning to hold back, when to utilize certain effects and how to keep the processing look natural

Images start to look unnatural and cartoon like when you push any of the editing controls too far

Spend a much larger amount of your time creating than you do consuming and you'll greatly increase your chances of being successful

If you find yourself spending hours on instagram consuming other people's work, stop

Compare yourself to who you were yesterday and as long as you're pushing yourself to improve each day, you'll gain confidence as you see yourself slowly progressing

Transcripts

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