What Do You Need to Learn Photography?

You might worry that learning photography will be too hard. This guide will help you understand the best methods for learning photography and what you should study first to make the learning process easier. This way, you’ll succeed however you apply your new skills. 

What is Photography?

Photography has been around for a long time. It’s hard to think of how far we’ve come when everyone has a camera on their smartphone in their pocket. It’s hard to imagine that the first camera for making images was created in 1826 by French inventor Nicephore Niepce. Though the pictures only lasted temporarily, Nicephore learned how to create an imagery paper coated with silver chloride from a negative image. From there, the 35 mm film camera was constructed between 1905 and 1913 so that users could use standalone rolls of film in their cameras. Fast forward to the first DSLR camera being made in 1999, allowing users to see the exact image they are shooting directly in the viewfinder, helping them capture better pictures. Cameras have evolved significantly since the 1800s, making using a camera correctly a skill. To be a great photographer, not only do you need a good camera, but there are some special skills needed to advance. In order to be a successful photographer, there are some critical skills to have to be successful. Some necessary skills include good communication, attention to detail, working well under pressure, and patience when taking photographs. Even if you want to get into photography for something other than financial gain, patients is one of the critical skills you should consider when working as an artist. 

Benefits of Learning Photography?

Now that you have learned more about photography, you might wonder what the benefits of learning this new skill are. Depending on your long-term goals, there are quite a few benefits. One of the more practical benefits is improving your ability to take pictures. While this might seem obvious, think about how many pictures you take. Now, consider how much better your photos would look if you had some level of knowledge on how to use your camera, whether digital or a camera phone. Taking a beginners level photography class could be exactly what you need to improve your photo skills. Now you will be known as the excellent photographer from your friend group and have a creative way of documenting your experiences. Photography can also improve your patience, positively transferring to other parts of your life. When attempting to capture a good shot, it can take time and perseverance to achieve it. That patience and perseverance can transfer to your career and personal life. While practical benefits are great, some benefits could help your career and social life. 

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Learning photography can lead to a lucrative side hustle or a dynamic career. As a professional photographer, you can capture intimate moments such as the exchange of wedding vows at a client's wedding or a proposal. You could also capture joyous moments such as graduation photos or birthday parties. While these are great-feel good moments, they can also earn you decent cash. For wedding photography alone, the average annual salary is about $38,845, with Maine being the highest state in the country, with an average of $61,873. Wedding photography could also be a side hustle, so there is less pressure from a financial aspect, but you still get the benefits. 

If you want something other than financial reasons to get into photography, you can still join a larger community of others with the same interests. You could join the Professional Photographers of America, which helps connect other like-minded professionals from all over the country. They offer different membership levels at various costs, with the student membership being the lowest at $79 a year. They also offer their members insurance for equipment and liability, access to online classes and free webinars, resources such as contracts and marketing tools, and copyright protection. The Society for Photographic Education is another leading organization with worldwide membership. They offer conferences, events, and other supportive platforms. You can connect with affiliated chapters in your area, and you also get access to a membership directory. The directory gives you access to more than 2,000 members to connect with your peers directly. 

Photography can connect you with others, give you skills that can enhance your career or day-to-day, or even be the beginning of a new job. Regardless of what you would like to do, you have options once you learn to take amazing photographs. 

Is Photography Easy to Learn?

Photography can be easy to learn, but it also depends on how in-depth you want to go with the skill. For example, if you want to improve your digital photography skills, there are quite a few classes for this level of expertise. You could take a Digital Photography I: An Introduction for Beginners course at the Art of Intuitive Photography in New York. The course is three hours long and covers what you need to feel more confident with ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, leaving you confident with using your camera in manual mode. They even let you rent a camera for $30. If you are more curious about improving your iPhone Photography skills, PhotoUno Photography School in Midtown East Manhattan can help you. The class is two hours and enables you to learn how to take photos in low light, the HDR setting, focusing, and how to take pictures in different lighting situations. These courses exist to make learning photography even easier for you. While there are other options such as self-learning using YouTube videos or books, guided learning is an easier way to learn photography. 

What You Need to Know Before Learning Photography

A photography course can teach you just about everything you need to know, but there are some helpful things to know before attending your first class. It might feel like common sense, but knowing how to use your camera correctly is essential to taking pictures. Your picture can come out blurry if you don't have a secure grip on your device. Knowing the basics of holding the camera is essential, and then, as you take more classes and increase your comfort levels, you will develop a preferred method. Also, you want to have a little understanding of lighting. At the very least, knowing where your camera should be facing in terms of lighting and the effect you want to capture is helpful. Most classes will detail concepts such as white balance and exposure. 

If you are looking to build a career out of photography once you master it, there are some important things to remember:

1. You can work long hours, mainly photographing weddings. You will usually set your hours in advance, but a wedding can be an all-day event.
2. It may be hard for clients to express what image they have in their heads, so it's up to you to use your creativity to provide them with what they are looking for in their photos. Some clients know exactly what they want, and while it might be more challenging for others to verbalize, it is up to you and your creative expertise to make their vision a reality.
3. Sometimes, it can take a while before you are a high earner, so you can anticipate low wages in the beginning.

In addition to low wages, the income can vary until you have a clientele because it is freelance work. You can continue to work hard at marketing yourself to build your client list, but it could take time. Overall, as a student, it's essential to have patience with yourself. If you have the passion for taking pictures but not the skill, it can be taught, but it could also take time. Taking an excellent photo takes time for most people. It is important to go into your first course with an open mind and a willingness to learn; all other techniques will be taught. 

What You Need to Learn Photography

If you want to be successful at learning your new skill of taking photos, there are some materials that help supplement the job and set you up for success. Some items seem obvious, while others are optional and essential. When you sign up for an in-person photography class, it is important to remember that most materials are provided to students, some are included with the course, and some can be rented. Consider how far you would like to advance in this skill before purchasing these tools because it could be costly. 

Camera 

The most obvious tool you need is a camera, but this can vary. Some classes teach you how to take amazing photos with your cell phone, so if you already have one, that's one less item to purchase. If you are looking for a digital camera, you have many options. Your options include a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR), mirrorless, compact, bridge, and action camera. Each camera type brings something different depending on what you need. When selecting a camera, you want to consider the type of lens you are comfortable with, camera size, speed and performance, and resolution rating. Most classes expect you to have a camera when attending, but some might have one you can rent to test your preference. 

Tripod

A tripod is a valuable tool when it comes to taking pictures. It can help you take photos in low light, aids in sharpening your images, improves the stability of your pictures and lets you capture long-exposure photos. If you are a beginner, some classes might not lead with teaching the importance of using a tripod, but as you advance your skill level, you will really start to see the benefits. Tripods can get pricey depending on the materials used, so it is best to shop around before purchasing. 

Photoshop

Photoshop is a great photo editing tool used by many photographers. You can use it for basic editing, adding effects, changing images, or more advanced work. There are numerous courses to teach Photoshop, from beginners to advanced or even technique specific. Most courses don't require your own copy of Photoshop to attend the class making it a great chance to learn the editing tool before investing in your own copy. 

Memory Card 

Memory cards or SD cards are an excellent tool for photographers. There are a variety of storage capacities available for you to store and transfer your images. Storage capacities range from 8GB, 512 GB, and even 1 or 2TB, leaving you with a lot of room for many pictures. Memory cards are small, making them easy to carry around and switch between gigs. In the early stages of photography, a memory card typically isn't a necessity, so feel free to purchase one if it's required. 

Key Takeaways

Here are some essential takeaways about learning photography:

• Photography isn’t hard to learn but has numerous levels of expertise.
• There are lots of different ways to use your photography skills.
• Most photography classes do not require you to purchase your own materials.
• Patience is essential if you want to become an expert or learn photography in general.
• CourseHorse offers private photography lessons, both online and in-person, helping you to get a jump-start on your advanced photography skills. 
• Both online and in-person, helping you to get a jump-start on your advanced photography skills.