Whenever I come across a useful photography tip, I make sure to write it down for later. Many tips are forgettable, but some are so valuable that I try to share them with as many photographers as possible. This article contains 25 of the best tips—short, easy-to-understand ideas covering everything from beginner camera techniques to creativity and composition. If you’re learning photography, these tips will be especially helpful as you grow your skills.
For those of you coming from our photography tips for beginners—congratulations! You’ve made it to the final chapter. If you started this guide knowing very little about photography, you’ve already come a long way. The tips in this article are meant as extra insights to build on what you’ve learned, and I hope you find them both practical and inspiring.
1.Work with Your Composition
To capture captivating photos, you need to be fully involved in what you’re doing. Don’t just operate on autopilot. Instead, give thought to your composition and aim to make your photos as strong as possible.
That begins with understanding the basics of good photo composition. Avoid cutting off important parts of your subject with the frame edges. Keep horizons straight, and try to remove distractions by adjusting your composition. Check if your photo feels balanced and simple.
If your first attempt doesn’t look right, keep experimenting until it does. It’s tempting to press the shutter when something seems fine and stop, but by considering a few alternative compositions, one of them will likely surpass your first attempt.
2. Use the Camera You Already Have
Your camera gear isn’t as crucial as you might think.
There are endless cameras, lenses, and accessories available today. At Photography Life, we spend a lot of time reviewing them, and it’s true that some are slightly better than others or better suited for specific tasks. But after testing enough, the main takeaway is clear: nearly every modern camera performs excellently. Differences are usually small, especially at similar price points.
So stick with the camera you already own and don’t get distracted chasing new gear. In many ways, today’s entry-level mirrorless cameras outperform the top-tier film SLRs or even DSLRs from ten years ago. Yet those film photographers still captured stunning, iconic images that hold up beautifully today.
What truly matters are your creative skills and your understanding of camera settings. Focus on improving those, rather than accumulating more equipment.
3. Learn Which Settings Matter
Cameras have a lot of settings, and it takes practice to get them right—especially as a beginner. Even experienced photographers don’t always get everything perfect. Still, it’s worth learning how to set your camera properly and which settings have the biggest impact, so you can take the photos you want.
Start by experimenting with camera modes beyond full Auto. If your camera is making every decision, you won’t really learn anything. It might feel confusing at first, but our guides on aperture, shutter speed, and ISO will give you a solid head start. These three are the most important settings in photography.
Beyond aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, practice focusing with the different autofocus modes. Single-servo autofocus (One-Shot AF) works best for stationary subjects, while continuous-servo autofocus (AI Servo) is ideal for moving subjects. Only switch to manual focus if it’s too dark for autofocus to work reliably.
Finally, shoot in RAW if you plan to edit your photos or might edit them later. JPEGs look fine straight out of the camera but offer much less flexibility for post-processing. If you’re unsure, try RAW+JPEG and keep the RAW files for editing later. For more, see our RAW vs. JPEG guide.
4. Don’t Overexpose Highlights
When choosing your camera settings, it’s essential to avoid overexposing highlights. Why? Because once a part of your image is pure white, there’s no way to recover detail. Personally, I prefer skies in photos to show texture and color rather than being a flat, featureless blob—and I’m sure you do too.
Keeping highlights under control is easier than it sounds. This is where shutter speed, aperture, and ISO become crucial—they are the main settings that directly affect the brightness of your photo (aside from flash). Even exposure compensation only adjusts one or more of these three variables.
While shooting, keep an eye on your camera screen for overexposed areas. If you notice any, first lower your ISO to its base value (usually ISO 100). If the ISO is already at its lowest, try a faster shutter speed. Check your aperture as well—avoid extreme values like f/32 or f/45, and you should be fine.
If you’re using a mirrorless camera, enable the histogram or zebra patterns. These tools make it easier to monitor exposure and ensure your photos are properly exposed.
5. Pay Attention to the Light
Light is probably the single most important element in photography. A photo taken in good light is already halfway to being great. But what counts as good light? It’s not just about sunsets or dramatic skies.
Often, the key is balancing the light between your subject and the background. Even a stunning sunset can be ruined if the foreground is completely dark or silhouetted.
Pay attention to the direction and quality of the light. Harsh light can create unflattering shadows, which is especially noticeable in portraits. If the light comes from a difficult angle, try moving the light source (in a studio) or adjusting your subject (outdoors), or wait for better natural light when shooting landscapes.
Also, for handheld photography, make sure there’s enough light to avoid blurry or underexposed shots. If it’s too dim, consider using a flash or moving to a brighter location. Shooting in low-light conditions without proper adjustments is the easiest way to end up with dull, discolored photos.
6. Take Your Time
Mistakes in photography often happen when you rush. The best way to avoid them is to slow down, especially when you’re just starting out.
Start by double-checking your camera settings. For example, if you’re shooting outdoor portraits on a sunny day but are still using last night’s Milky Way settings, your photos won’t turn out well. Take the time to set everything correctly.
Maintain this careful approach for every important decision. Is your composition the best it can be? Did you focus in the right spot? Have you done everything possible to improve the lighting?
Also, don’t ignore reviewing your photos in the field. While it’s not a good idea to pause during an exciting moment, you usually have downtime between shots. Checking images on location helps you catch and fix problems before you get home, saving time and frustration later.
7. Move Your Feet
It’s easy to stay in one spot while taking photos, but try not to fall into that habit. Instead, move your feet—or your tripod—as much as possible. Change your position, adjust your camera height, walk closer or farther away, and explore different angles. Keep moving and experimenting.
If you take multiple photos from the same height and direction without moving at all, they’ll end up looking very similar. When your entire portfolio is shot from one viewpoint, you’re missing many creative opportunities.
Changing your position is the best way to alter how objects relate to each other in a photo. If your subject feels too large and the background too small, step back and zoom in. If something in the frame looks distracting, move around until it’s no longer in your composition or becomes less noticeable.
For wildlife photography, angle and height matter even more. Animals usually look best when photographed at eye level, and this perspective often places the background farther away, helping the subject stand out more clearly.
8. Know When to Use a Tripod
Tripods are one of the most useful tools in photography. They solve one of the biggest challenges photographers face—low light. With a tripod, you can use very long exposures and capture details that are invisible to the naked eye. Even in brighter conditions, a tripod adds stability, improves composition, and helps you get sharper images.
So when should you use a tripod? Almost always when your subject isn’t moving. Landscape, architecture, and still life photographers should have a good reason if they choose not to use one.
Macro photography is another situation where a tripod is essential. At high magnifications, even modern in-body image stabilization can’t fully compensate for low light and long shutter speeds. Getting precise focus is extremely difficult, even with flash, and a tripod is often the only reliable solution.
Event and action photography are different since tripods can slow you down. The same applies to travel photography, where carrying a tripod may not always be practical or convenient.
That said, leaving your tripod behind means giving up potential image quality. If I had to choose between a basic camera with a tripod or the best camera and lens without one, I’d choose the tripod setup every time.
9. Pay Attention to the Edges of Your Composition
When framing a photo, it’s important to pay close attention to the edges of the image. The edges may seem less important, but they have a surprisingly strong effect on how a photo feels overall.
Start by giving your subject enough space so it isn’t pressed against the edge of the frame. Avoid cutting off important elements—such as the top of a mountain—unless you have a clear creative reason for doing so.
In the same way, distractions become more noticeable when they’re near the edges of the frame. They pull the viewer’s eye away from the main subject and weaken the composition. If you focus only on the subject and ignore the rest of the frame, your photo can quickly feel unbalanced or messy.
10. Know When to Use a Flash
Flashes aren’t only for dark situations.
Of course, they’re very useful when you need extra light. Using an external flash, bouncing it off the ceiling, and pairing it with a longer lens (around 50mm or more) can dramatically improve event photos. It’s one of the simplest ways to get great results, even if you’re still learning the technical side of photography.
But flashes are also helpful outdoors, even in bright daylight. This is where “fill flash” comes in. A soft flash can lighten harsh shadows on your subject, and most viewers won’t even realize a flash was used.
It may sound odd, but a camera’s built-in flash can sometimes be more useful on a sunny day than in complete darkness. That idea applies here as well—flash isn’t just about adding light, but about improving it.
11. Clean Your Camera Lens
I’ve seen many photographers walking around with lenses that are dusty, smudged, or covered in fingerprints. That’s one of the fastest ways to end up with soft or blurry photos.
A small amount of dust usually isn’t a problem and often won’t show up in your images at all. In fact, every lens has tiny dust particles inside that can’t be cleaned without disassembling the lens, and they don’t affect image quality.
The real issue is a lens that hasn’t been cleaned in a long time, with visible grime or fingerprints on the front element. Do yourself a favor and carry a microfiber cloth and lens cleaning solution. Bring them on trips and make a habit of cleaning your lens at least once a week.
12. Don’t Use a Cheap Filter
One of the quickest ways to ruin image quality is by using a low-quality filter on the front of your lens.
When I first started photography, my grandfather gave me an old clear filter from his film camera. It fit my lens perfectly, so I left it on all the time without thinking twice about whether the glass met modern standards. Unfortunately, it didn’t. The corners of my photos were noticeably soft, and any bright area—such as the sky or a streetlight at night—created strong, ugly flare.
At the time, I didn’t realize the filter was the problem. Only later did I learn that cheap or outdated filters can seriously reduce sharpness and contrast. If you plan to use a filter, make sure it’s high quality and designed for modern lenses. Otherwise, it’s often better to use no filter at all than one that degrades your images.
Don’t make the same mistake I did! Yes, this was an old filter, but cheap ones today do exactly the same thing. Personally, I never use a clear, protective filter on my lens anymore, except in environments where I also need protective eyewear. If you do need to use a filter, make sure it’s a good one from a name brand like B+W, and not the first on the low-to-high price list on Amazon.
13. Learn Basic Post-Processing
Post-processing often isn’t a top priority for beginners, but it should be. While editing can’t save a bad photo, it can transform a good one into something truly special.
It’s easy to go too far when editing, so the most important rule is to avoid permanent, or “destructive,” changes. Always preserve your original files by using Save As, or better yet, edit in programs like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One Pro. These tools store your adjustments separately instead of permanently altering the image.
Post-processing is about creating a mood and guiding the viewer’s eye through the photo. This skill improves with time and practice. My best advice is to keep things subtle—you want your photos to look polished, not heavily edited.
14. Back Up Your Photos
Almost every photographer I know has lost important photos at least once. Don’t let that happen to you.
Start by keeping a backup of every single image you take. Never store your photos on just one hard drive, because every drive will eventually fail. It’s not a matter of if, but when.
Ideally, you should have at least three copies of your photos at all times. These should be stored on two different types of media, such as an internal drive and an external hard drive, with at least one copy kept off-site. This approach is known as the 3-2-1 backup rule, and it’s one of the safest ways to protect your images.
Personally, my photos are some of my most valuable possessions, and I don’t want to risk losing them. I use real-time online backups along with multiple external hard drives. It may sound excessive, but that’s exactly the point.
15. Get Organized
Whether you’re naturally organized or a bit messy, it’s important that your photos are easy to find. This isn’t just about working faster—if you lose track of how your files are arranged, you could accidentally delete a folder with important images.
One simple system is to create a new folder for each year, then divide it into months labeled in numerical order (such as “01 January,” “02 February,” and so on). Within your editing software, you can then organize photos into collections based on locations, projects, or themes. This makes it easy to find specific images later.
Another helpful approach is tagging. Most editing programs allow you to add tags, such as people’s names or animal species for wildlife photography. Tags become especially useful once your photo library grows into the tens of thousands.
16. Try Something New
Photography becomes more interesting the more you experiment. It’s easy to fall into a routine and take similar photos again and again. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s important to step outside your comfort zone whenever you can.
Try macro photography, experiment with different lighting techniques, or explore a new post-processing style. Be spontaneous and visit a place you’ve never photographed before. There are countless ways to mix things up, and you rarely regret trying something new.
Most of the time, you’ll discover a new technique or personal preference that you can bring back into your regular workflow and use to improve your everyday photography.
17. Work with the Scene in Front of You
On a recent trip, I woke up early several mornings in a row to photograph a beautiful landscape reflected in a pool of water. I wanted just a few clouds in the sky to make the scene perfect.
But day after day, the sky remained completely clear, and my frustration grew. Eventually, I realized the problem wasn’t the landscape—it was me.
I was approaching the scene with a fixed idea of how it should look, and I was disappointed when reality didn’t match my expectations. The better approach is to work with the scene as it is and embrace its natural strengths.
Once I shifted my mindset, my photos improved dramatically. The sky never filled with clouds, but I started capturing images that looked great on their own, without needing dramatic weather to enhance them. Learning to work with what’s in front of you is a key step in improving as a photographer.
18. Meet Other Photographers
Connecting with other photographers is one of the best ways to learn and improve—whether for inspiration, advice, or new techniques.
You’d be surprised how willing people are to share their knowledge. Most photographers are happy to offer tips, and even legends like Ansel Adams published books explaining their methods in detail. Photography is rarely a secretive field; collaboration and discussion are common.
If you prefer learning on your own, this still applies. Participate in online forums, reach out to photographers whose work you admire, and collect helpful resources whenever you can. The key is to never stop learning—there’s always something new to explore in photography.
19. Fix Your Weak Points
If you’re still learning shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, it can be tempting to fall back on Auto mode. That’s a big mistake.
Struggling with flash in portrait photography? You might be tempted to only shoot near windows for easy light—but that’s avoiding the problem rather than solving it.
Confused by post-processing software? You might decide to shoot only in JPEG to get “good enough” results straight out of the camera—but again, that’s not helping you improve.
The key is to face your weak points head-on. Identify what you don’t fully understand and dedicate time to learning it. This approach is especially important for beginners, who naturally have the most to learn, but even experienced photographers benefit from tackling their weaknesses. Improving in the areas where you struggle is the fastest way to take better photos
20. Don’t Forget About Your Old Photos
Many photographers take a lot of photos, select the best from a shoot, and then rarely return to the rest. But your old, unused photos can be some of the most valuable in your portfolio.
First, they help you identify and fix your weak points. Ask yourself: why are certain photos not working? Maybe your focus was off, the exposure was too bright or too dark, or the composition felt awkward. Recognizing these patterns helps you improve in future shoots.
Some older photos may have had technical issues, like excessive noise, that you couldn’t fix at the time. Modern editing software can often breathe new life into these images, turning shots you once considered “lost” into something usable.
Finally, sometimes an old photo simply stands out upon a second look—something you didn’t notice at first. Rediscovering these hidden gems can feel like striking gold and can add unexpected value to your portfolio.
21. Be More Selective
When choosing photos to share or include in your portfolio, resist the urge to show everything. If you planned to share ten shots, narrow it down to five. If you were going to show five, consider showing just three.
Being selective forces you to carefully evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each image. It also makes your work look stronger because you’re presenting only your best photos. When deciding between two excellent images, you’ll spend time analyzing why one composition works better than the other—this process sharpens your eye and improves your photography overall.
22. Shoot a Lot and Experiment
Practice is the fastest way to improve—not just in photography, but in any skill.
Cameras, post-processing software, and the creative side of photography all take time to master. The more you experiment and the more photos you take, the better your work will become. It’s not just about creating one perfect image—it’s about building experience. Over time, you’ll find that later shoots produce more strong, usable photos than your earliest attempts.
That’s not to say your early photos will always be bad. Henri Cartier-Bresson’s famous quote, “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst,” might be a bit dramatic—but it captures the truth that consistent practice leads to steady improvement. Early on, great photos can happen, but luck plays a bigger role; with experience, skill takes over.
Ultimately, the goal is to make your vision real: translating the image in your mind and the emotions you feel into a photograph that lets others experience the same thing. The more you shoot, the closer you get to achieving that.
23. Chase Beautiful Light
One of the simplest ways to improve your outdoor photography is to follow great light. This usually means going out early in the morning, staying out late in the evening, and avoiding the harsh midday sun. While bright noon light can sometimes work creatively, you’ll generally get much stronger photos when the light is softer and more interesting.
Photographers often call the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset the golden hour because the warm, long-lasting light creates dramatic, appealing landscapes. The blue hour, which occurs just before sunrise or after sunset, can also provide unique, moody lighting for your photos.
Midday light is often harsh, creating strong shadows, high contrast, and atmospheric haze that can make photography more challenging. One of the easiest ways to improve your photos is simply to plan your shoots around the best light.
24. Spend Less Time on Social Media
Millions of photos are shared online every day, but the algorithms behind social media are designed to serve advertising and the interests of big tech companies. People scroll quickly, follow trends, and rarely pause to appreciate photos thoughtfully. This fast-paced environment can feel overwhelming, especially for beginners who may compare themselves to top influencers.
My advice: spend less time on social media. It’s rarely a healthy place for photographers to measure their progress, and too much exposure can even harm your creativity. Instead, try sharing photos in person, by email, or—even better—through physical prints. You’ll often find it more enjoyable, meaningful, and rewarding.
25. Have Fun!
Above all, remember that photography is supposed to be fun! Most professional photographers chose this career because they genuinely enjoy creating images. Don’t let that spark fade.
Having fun comes from experimenting, learning new skills, and exploring your creativity. But it’s also about not taking photography too seriously or letting equipment debates overshadow your enjoyment. Online arguments about camera brands or reviews are distractions—they can turn photography into a chore instead of a joy.
Focus instead on why you love taking pictures. Photography is meaningful: it allows you to capture amazing sights, express yourself creatively, and connect with other passionate people.
Unsurprisingly, the photographers who produce the most inspiring work are often those who enjoy the process the most. Keep your curiosity alive, and don’t forget to have fun along the way!
The Joy of Photography – Photography Tips for Beginners
This concludes the Photography Basics guide. Thank you for following along and using Photography Life as a resource! The website exists because of readers like you. I hope you’ve found these tips helpful and that they serve as a stepping stone on your journey to becoming a better photographer.
If you missed any chapters, you can navigate to them using the menu, or start again from the introduction to revisit the full guide. Keep shooting, keep learning, and most importantly—enjoy every moment behind the camera!
Photography Tips for Beginners – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the best camera for a beginner?
You don’t need an expensive camera to start. Any DSLR, mirrorless, or even a good smartphone camera can help you learn the basics. Focus on mastering settings and composition first rather than gear. - Should I shoot in Auto mode or manual mode?
Start with Aperture Priority (A/Av) or Shutter Priority (S/Tv) to learn how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO affect your photos. Avoid relying solely on Auto if you want to improve. - What is aperture, shutter speed, and ISO?
- Aperture: Controls the amount of light entering the camera and the depth of field.
- Shutter speed: Controls how long the camera sensor is exposed to light; affects motion blur.
- ISO: Controls the sensor’s sensitivity to light; higher ISO can brighten images but may add noise.
- How can I take sharper photos?
Use a tripod when possible, keep your hands steady, focus properly, and avoid low shutter speeds without stabilization. Clean lenses also help. - How important is composition in photography?
Composition is crucial. Pay attention to framing, balance, leading lines, and negative space. Moving your feet and trying different angles can dramatically improve your shots. - Should I use a flash or natural light?
Both have uses. Natural light is often best outdoors, especially during golden hour. Use a flash indoors or as fill light outdoors to reduce harsh shadows. - How can I improve my photos without buying expensive gear?
Focus on improving your skills: composition, lighting, post-processing, and experimenting with different angles. Practice is more important than gear at the beginner stage. - What is post-processing, and do I need it?
Post-processing enhances your photos after shooting. Programs like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One can adjust exposure, color, sharpness, and remove distractions. It’s optional but very helpful. - How often should I back up my photos?
Always! Follow the 3-2-1 rule: three copies, two different media types, one off-site. This prevents loss from hard drive failure or accidents. - How can I learn photography faster?
Shoot often, experiment with different subjects and lighting, study other photographers’ work, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Learning from your errors is key. - What mistakes do beginners often make?
Common mistakes include: overusing Auto mode, ignoring composition, shooting in poor light, not cleaning lenses, and relying on cheap filters or gear to fix mistakes. - How can I make my photos more creative?
Experiment with angles, perspectives, lighting, subjects, and post-processing techniques. Try something new each shoot to discover your personal style. - What is the best time of day to take photos outdoors?
Golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) and blue hour (just before sunrise or after sunset) produce soft, warm, and interesting light. Midday light is harsh and often less flattering. - How do I avoid blurry photos?
Use a tripod for low light, increase shutter speed for moving subjects, ensure correct focus, and hold the camera steady. - How important is fun in photography?
Photography should always be enjoyable! Focus on what inspires you, experiment freely, and don’t get caught up in gear debates or social media comparisons. Enjoyment fuels creativity. - Should I spend time on social media to learn photography?
Social media can be inspirational, but don’t rely on it. Focus on practicing your craft, experimenting, and sharing photos offline or with friends for more meaningful feedback. - How do I organize my photos effectively?
Use folders by year/month or by event, and tag photos in post-processing software. Good organization prevents loss and makes finding photos easier. - Do I need a tripod for every type of photography?
Not always. Tripods are essential for landscapes, architecture, macro, or low-light photography. They’re less useful for action, travel, or casual handheld shots. - How do I fix my weak points as a photographer?
Identify areas where you struggle—like focus, lighting, or composition—and practice intentionally. Facing your weaknesses will improve your skills faster than avoiding them. - Can I improve my old photos?
Yes! Revisit old photos to analyze mistakes, improve your skills, and use modern post-processing tools to enhance or even rescue older images.
