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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: uk/usa
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"Why Aren't My Photo's Improving?"
Okay, you bought that lovely, shiny, black beast that you saw online or in the camera store. You've seen some breathtaking images that were shot with it, and you have visions of you capturing similar images worthy of the cover's of National Geographic, Vogue, Rolling Stone or Bee Keeper's Monthly 
You charge the battery, turn it on, shove a card in the slot and you tweak a few buttons, and then head out - without even a backward glance at the manual. Whenever you head off out with your camera, the manual is sat there gathering dust, and so your camera never changes from the Auto button. You're left feeling a bit disappointed in your purchase, you aren't getting the pictures you wanted, and you are beginning to wish you had stuck to Bee Keeping...
Does that sound familiar?
If so here are some of the most common mistakes that stop your photography progressing, and I have done them all
"Manual,what manual,.......it came with a manual?"
Hands up who has never read the manual that they got with their latest camera, or the last one, or the one before that!? I know it's boring, and you want to go and play with your new toy as soon as it has charged - but once you've calmed down from the excitement of it all, take the time to read your manual, if you've lost it you should be able to read it online, too.
Cameras and their capabilities vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Even products within the same company have different button locations change, menus, and sub menus etc. The principles of photography however, don't change, but the cameras do - so make the time to learn your camera and it's capabilities.... you really won't regret it!
"Practice, practice, and then practice some more!"
If you want to become an expert musician, you would practice whenever you have the chance on the instrument of your choice. The same applies to photography, some people are blessed with an eye for a photo, but nothing will improve your photography more, than just using your camera, as much as possible. You know what they say - practice makes perfect.
"Trying to do it all, and learning nothing?"
When I picked up a camera for the first time, I realised I had an okay eye for it. Photo Shop can solve many ills, and the Auto button helped, but it never really progressed for a while.
It wasn't till I turned that dial off of Auto, that things got a whole lot better, well, not at first. Then came the learning of how each element of the camera works in relation to the others. I tried to take it all in too quickly, and got so frustrated. So take your time - choose one thing first, say, Aperture, and learn how that works, and how it affects the images you produce, and when you fully understand it, go onto the next... until you have control of your camera, and not the other way round. You might even find your pics go backwards for a while, but persevere, I promise you will see a huge improvement in the long run.
"Learn one piece at a time"
When you bought your DSLR, you might of gone lens/equipment crazy too, slow down, learn how one lens works, feels and functions, thoroughly, and works with your style, before playing lens switcheroo. Pop one lens on that camera, and shoot with nothing but that lens for a few weeks, or more, until, you know how to get the best out of it. You might need less equipment than you thought, when you start using your feet, and your body more, to get the shots you want, instead of just swapping lens.
"I missed a great shot, wish I'd had my camera"
Most people have a camera on them all the time, in your phone, a mobile phone pic, is better than no picture. Small P&S are improving all the time, and have dropped greatly in price, when a big DSLR is not convenient, go small, and use what 's in your pocket, or bag, try to keep a P&S or phone with you, even when you are just popping out for some milk.
"Take time to just enjoy it"
Instead of just clicking away like a crazy fool, slow yourself down, really look for the best angles, try to get the cleanest shot in camera, walk a couple of paces to a better view, instead of shooting, and saying I'll fix it in Photo Shop. Take time to enjoy photography, instead of continually snapping away. Think film, if each press of the shutter was a film exposure, think how much that would cost to process.
"Everybody is looking at me"
I had a major problem with this, and still do occasionally, and the only cure is to just pull your camera out of it's bag, and just take the shot. If something has compelled you enough to want to take a picture, there is a reason for it, and to let your own insecurities stop you, isn't worth it.
Get the camera out, take the picture, and then leave, you will feel better as you walk away, than you do, when you walk by and leave the camera in the bag, I promise. Each time you do it, it does get easier and easier.
You might feel like the whole world is watching you, but they aren't and if they are watching give them a little smile, and then get on with taking your picture.
"Ask for help"
If there is something you don't understand, or isn't working for you, or you are just confused, ask someone for help, on a forum, or join a photography club, or take a few photography classes. Libraries are brilliant for photography books, so you don't need to rush out and buy any. There is a wealth of knowledge on the internet, ask people for advice on your photo's and remember if someone says something you may see as a negative comment, in all likelihood, they are trying to help and guide you.
This is by no means a full, and comprehensive guide to everything that will help your photography improve, but I think these are fairly common mistakes, and hopefully will be of some help. Or I am just a freak
Please, don't answer that x
You charge the battery, turn it on, shove a card in the slot and you tweak a few buttons, and then head out - without even a backward glance at the manual. Whenever you head off out with your camera, the manual is sat there gathering dust, and so your camera never changes from the Auto button. You're left feeling a bit disappointed in your purchase, you aren't getting the pictures you wanted, and you are beginning to wish you had stuck to Bee Keeping...
Does that sound familiar?
If so here are some of the most common mistakes that stop your photography progressing, and I have done them all
"Manual,what manual,.......it came with a manual?"
Hands up who has never read the manual that they got with their latest camera, or the last one, or the one before that!? I know it's boring, and you want to go and play with your new toy as soon as it has charged - but once you've calmed down from the excitement of it all, take the time to read your manual, if you've lost it you should be able to read it online, too.
Cameras and their capabilities vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Even products within the same company have different button locations change, menus, and sub menus etc. The principles of photography however, don't change, but the cameras do - so make the time to learn your camera and it's capabilities.... you really won't regret it!
"Practice, practice, and then practice some more!"
If you want to become an expert musician, you would practice whenever you have the chance on the instrument of your choice. The same applies to photography, some people are blessed with an eye for a photo, but nothing will improve your photography more, than just using your camera, as much as possible. You know what they say - practice makes perfect.
"Trying to do it all, and learning nothing?"
When I picked up a camera for the first time, I realised I had an okay eye for it. Photo Shop can solve many ills, and the Auto button helped, but it never really progressed for a while.
It wasn't till I turned that dial off of Auto, that things got a whole lot better, well, not at first. Then came the learning of how each element of the camera works in relation to the others. I tried to take it all in too quickly, and got so frustrated. So take your time - choose one thing first, say, Aperture, and learn how that works, and how it affects the images you produce, and when you fully understand it, go onto the next... until you have control of your camera, and not the other way round. You might even find your pics go backwards for a while, but persevere, I promise you will see a huge improvement in the long run.
"Learn one piece at a time"
When you bought your DSLR, you might of gone lens/equipment crazy too, slow down, learn how one lens works, feels and functions, thoroughly, and works with your style, before playing lens switcheroo. Pop one lens on that camera, and shoot with nothing but that lens for a few weeks, or more, until, you know how to get the best out of it. You might need less equipment than you thought, when you start using your feet, and your body more, to get the shots you want, instead of just swapping lens.
"I missed a great shot, wish I'd had my camera"
Most people have a camera on them all the time, in your phone, a mobile phone pic, is better than no picture. Small P&S are improving all the time, and have dropped greatly in price, when a big DSLR is not convenient, go small, and use what 's in your pocket, or bag, try to keep a P&S or phone with you, even when you are just popping out for some milk.
"Take time to just enjoy it"
Instead of just clicking away like a crazy fool, slow yourself down, really look for the best angles, try to get the cleanest shot in camera, walk a couple of paces to a better view, instead of shooting, and saying I'll fix it in Photo Shop. Take time to enjoy photography, instead of continually snapping away. Think film, if each press of the shutter was a film exposure, think how much that would cost to process.
"Everybody is looking at me"
I had a major problem with this, and still do occasionally, and the only cure is to just pull your camera out of it's bag, and just take the shot. If something has compelled you enough to want to take a picture, there is a reason for it, and to let your own insecurities stop you, isn't worth it.
Get the camera out, take the picture, and then leave, you will feel better as you walk away, than you do, when you walk by and leave the camera in the bag, I promise. Each time you do it, it does get easier and easier.
You might feel like the whole world is watching you, but they aren't and if they are watching give them a little smile, and then get on with taking your picture.
"Ask for help"
If there is something you don't understand, or isn't working for you, or you are just confused, ask someone for help, on a forum, or join a photography club, or take a few photography classes. Libraries are brilliant for photography books, so you don't need to rush out and buy any. There is a wealth of knowledge on the internet, ask people for advice on your photo's and remember if someone says something you may see as a negative comment, in all likelihood, they are trying to help and guide you.
This is by no means a full, and comprehensive guide to everything that will help your photography improve, but I think these are fairly common mistakes, and hopefully will be of some help. Or I am just a freak
Please, don't answer that x
 Admin Team
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 15,385
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Nice write-up Moonie - completely agree with everything you've said 
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Kit 1 Nikon D300 Nikon 55-200mm VR |
Kit 2 Nikon D40 Nikon 18-55mm |
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My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7 |
 Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Whiston, Merseyside, UK
Posts: 571
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really good advice there Mooniepoos!
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Kit 1 Fuji xpro1 35mm f1.4 18m f2 |
Kit 2 fuji s5 pro Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 G AF-S NIKKOR 55-200mm 1:4-5.6 G |
Other Kit View my profile to see my other kit! |
 Fondly Remembered
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Perthshire Scotland
Posts: 8,168
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Agreed - great stuff Moonie !
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Kit 1 Canon 1D Mark 3 Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II |
Kit 2 1D2 & 40D |
 Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 3,053
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: uk/usa
Posts: 10,146
|
 Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Cork, Ireland
Posts: 7,578
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Excellent post - well done misses! 
xx
xx
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Kit 1 Nikon D800 Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 Nikkor 105 mm f2.8 macro Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Nikon 70-300mm AF f/4-5.6G Nikon 50mm f1.8 |
Kit 2 Nikon D700 |
Other Kit View my profile to see my other kit! |
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My Compact/P&S: Fuji finepix bridge |
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: uk/usa
Posts: 10,146
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 Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Midlands, England
Posts: 565
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I agree. I have read my manual, but still struggle sometimes. The main ones I need are practice, new things to try and to take it more places.
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Kit 1 Nikon D5100 Nikon VR 18-55 AF Nikon VR 55-200 AF |
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My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ8 |
 Junior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: scarborough uk
Posts: 27
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Good little novel
"Everybody is looking at me" - I used to feel like that but nowadays I dont care, let them look I often walk with the camera round my neck and people tend to stare, Im not sure why, or is it odd seeing a woman with an SLR round her neck? lol 
"Everybody is looking at me" - I used to feel like that but nowadays I dont care, let them look
I often walk with the camera round my neck and people tend to stare, Im not sure why, or is it odd seeing a woman with an SLR round her neck? lol
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Kit 1 canon 1000D |
