What to Learn First to Be a Better Photographer

For quite some time, I’ve thought about the first things you should learn as a photographer. Is it the exposure triangle? (I’ll cover this in another blog post later.) Is it the rules of good composition? Is it knowing all the buttons, dials, knobs, and widgets on your camera? Or is it having the latest and greatest camera with tack-sharp lenses?

Most of these are definitely things to consider if you want to become a better photographer. (You don’t need the newest camera or lenses, but I’ll save that for another day as well.)

So, what are the first things to learn, you ask? They are simple and apply to just about any creative endeavor.

Here’s an example: You’re driving along and come across a vast golden wheat field swaying in the breeze. The morning sunlight filters through cotton-ball clouds in a brilliant blue sky. A lone tree stands in the middle of the field. In the background, snow-capped mountain peaks peek through the morning mist. On the roadside where you stopped, a vibrant array of wildflowers stretches before you.

It’s a lot to take in. So ask yourself: what about this scene caught your eye? Is it the flowers, the wheat field, the lone tree, the clouds, the golden light, the mountains—or the whole thing? Understanding why you are drawn to a scene will help inform how to capture it: where to stand, what lens to use, the best time of day, how long the exposure should be, and so on. Know the why and what, and the how becomes easier.

The second key idea is really an extension of the first: Slow down. SLOW DOWN. Take the time to be present. Don’t just shoot and run. Don’t take a flurry of shots and hope something turns out. When you slow down—when you truly look, move around, relax, and take it all in—you will make better photos.

I know this might sound too simplistic or even a bit mystical, but it really does make a difference. The simple act of thinking about why you’re shooting something, what you want to capture, and what you’re trying to say—while being deliberate about it—will lead to better, more meaningful photos.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Let’s start a conversation! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it with your networks. And if you’re feeling generous, you can support me by donating to my Buy Me a Coffee account. Cheers!

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