I came across this post by Eric Kim, an urban photographer from L.A., recounting 100 things that he’s learned about photography. As I have not made such a list, I thought I’d repost his here and add my personal opinions about each one. This way, you get a good, and hopefully improved, list, and I get to share some of what I’VE learned so far in my career.
Note: I am not trying to put down Eric’s list in any way — I’m just sharing my personal views and expanding on his ideas where I can. I commend him for taking the time to put this list out there; please look at his original post here. He also appears to be an excellent photographer.
Eric’s list is in bold. My comments are italicized. Hope you enjoy.
1. Just because someone has an expensive camera doesn’t mean that they’re a good photographer.
100% correct. An expensive camera can aid you in taking better photos, but only if you know how to use it. Buying a $2000+ camera and leaving it on auto is like buying a race car and never racing it. You can also take some pretty sweet shots with cell phone cameras — the best camera is the one that’s with you. As long as you know how to use it.
2. Always shoot in RAW. Always.
Mostly true. While shooting RAW (a non-compressed, full information file format) gives you much greater control in post processing, I wouldn’t exactly shoot in it at the office Christmas party. The files just take up too much space for it to be worthwhile in some situations.
3. Prime lenses help you learn to be a better photographer.
I can’t really comment on this, as I only own one prime lens (one that doesn’t zoom). Some people swear by them, as they force you to really consider YOUR position (your feet are the zoom), and you have to be more careful in where you are relative to the subject. Zooms are more versatile, so I’ve stuck to them thus far. However, prime lenses do tend to be sharper, from what the lens-critics tell me. I also think it’s better to learn on film (like I did!) for a similar reason — you have to think more about what you’re doing than with digital. However, digital has many benefits, as do zoom lenses. It all comes down to preference and your knowledge of your equipment. Here’s a good (and new) post about the switch from zooms to primes. (OK, so I guess I can comment on this after all.)
4. Photo editing is an art in itself.
Absolutely.
5. The rule of thirds works 99% of the time.
OK, maybe 98%, but fair enough.
6. Macro photography isn’t for everybody.
And neither is portrait nor nature nor sports photography. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses.
7. UV filters work just as well as lens caps.
Yeah, but it’d be a good idea to keep a lens cap on anyway when you aren’t actively using the camera/lenses.
8. Go outside and shoot photos rather than spending hours a day on photography forums.
For sure. Practice practice practice.
9. Capture the beauty in the mundane and you have a winning photograph.
Yep. Capturing the mundane in the beautiful doesn’t usually go over that well.
10. Film isn’t better than digital.
True. It has it’s merits.
11. Digital isn’t better than film.
True. It has it’s merits.
12. There is no “magic” camera or lens.
Also true. See #1.
My favorite anecdote:
A photographer was invited to dinner with friends and took along a few pictures to show the hostess. She looked at the photos and commented, “These are very good! You must have a good CAMERA.” He didn’t make any comment, but, as he was leaving to go home, he said, ‘That was a really delicious meal! You must have some very good POTS.”
13. Better lenses don’t give you better photos.
No, but bad lenses might limit your capabilities in a given situation. Why else would sports photogs lug around those huge lenses that need their own tripods?
14. Spend less time looking at other people’s work and more time shooting your own.
Correct. Spend SOME time looking at other’s work to try to learn from both their achievements and mistakes, but getting out there and shooting is the only way to develop your skills and your style (and your stamina).
15. Don’t take your DSLR to parties.
No comment. . .
16. Girls dig photographers.
I guess it’s because we’re arsty fartsy.
17. Making your photos b/w doesn’t automatically make them “artsy.”
Amen. Color film was invented for a reason, and sometimes the color should stay.
18. People will always discredit your work if you tell them you “photoshop” your images. Rather, tell them that you process them in the “digital darkroom.”
Well, the ones that don’t know much about photography may discredit it, but they don’t know that every single digital pro does SOMETHING to his/her images.
19. You don’t need to take a photo of everything.
And some things you just shouldn’t take photos of! Be mindful, and “pick your battles,” so to speak. But never be afraid to try to capture something new.
20. Have at least 2 backups of all your images. Like they say in war, two is one, one is none.
True — and leave one copy at a friends house or somewhere safe.
21. Ditch the neck strap and get a handstrap.
I’ve actually been thinking about getting a handstrap. Funny.
22. Get closer when taking your photos, they often turn out better.
This is often true, even with landscapes — most people only shoot landscapes with a wide angle, but try your hand at using a telephoto lens and see what you come up with! However “often” is the key word.
23. Be a part of a scene while taking a photo; not a voyeur.
Unless you’re TRYING to be a voyeur. That’s how candids happen, and candids are good.
24. Taking a photo crouched often make your photos look more interesting.
Unless you’re doing a portrait looking up at someone with too many chins. But in other cases, sure. The idea here (and with #22) is to change your perspective on your subject. That’s why it’s boring to take photos of flowers from your normal eye level — get down there and don’t be afraid to get dirty!
25. Worry less about technical aspects and focus more on compositional aspects of photography.
True, until you master the art of composition. A well-composed but technically poor photograph is no good, just as a poorly composed yet technically superb photograph is boring.
26. Tape up any logos on your camera with black gaffers tape- it brings a lot less attention to you.
And ends the Canon vs. Nikon debate. Sort of. I’ve been meaning to do this–busting out the gaffers tape when I get home. (Keep a roll in your bag!)
27. Always underexpose by 2/3rds of a stop when shooting in broad daylight.
Always is a dangerous word. However, underexposing is better than overexposing.
28. The more photos you take, the better you get.
Yep — see #8.
29. Don’t be afraid to take several photos of the same scene at different exposures, angles, or apertures.
Yes, but I’d go a step further: when walking up to a scene that you know you’d like to photograph, don’t just stop in the first place you come to and start snapping away. Take a moment, when the situation permits, and walk around to find a better angle, and don’t stay in the same spot the whole time. Move around. And, while moving around, use different exposures, apertures, shutter speeds, etc.
30. Only show your best photos.
This is harder than it sounds. For one, who says which photos are your best? You? A critic? And for two, you’re so proud of all of them — why can’t you show them off?! Self-editing is an art form in itself. Be choosey when it comes to which photos you share with others.
31. A point-and-shoot is still a camera.
Yep, just like a bicycle is still a vehicle — it may get you to your destination, but it might be harder and take longer! Some point-and-shoots are really good, some aren’t. It’s good to keep one with you when your big camera is too much of a hassle.
32. Join an online photography forum.
A good idea. Forums are a good place to ask questions of fellow photographers, and also to see what questions other people are asking…and maybe you’ll even answer a few questions yourself! However, see #8.
33. Critique the works of others.
… But don’t be mean about it. The missing keyword here is “constructive.” On the flipside, ask others to critique your work, and learn from what they say, both from positive and negative comments.
34. Think before you shoot.
It’s good to have an idea of what you want the end result to look like while you’re planning a shot. Sometimes accidents are breathtaking and career making, but oftentimes they’re not.
35. A good photo shouldn’t require explanation (although background information often adds to an image).
And since a photo is worth a thousand words, it shouldn’t need any explanation anyway, right?
36. Alcohol and photography do not mix well.
I once took some photos of liquor bottles in a bar for the university newspaper, but I don’t think that’s what he means. Maybe it had something to do with #15
37. Draw inspiration from other photographers but never worship them.
True. Learn from them, but get out and do your own thing.
38. Grain is beautiful.
Sometimes. They don’t sell noise reduction software for nothing. Grain is one of those interesting film legacies that we’ll be seeing for a while.
39. Ditch the photo backpack and get a messenger bag. It makes getting your lenses and camera a whole lot easier.
You can never have too many camera bags. Messengers are good for urban photography, but backpacks are good when you have a lot of gear in the woods. It all depends on your situation and style.
40. Simplicity is key.
Simple as that.
41. The definition of photography is: “painting with light.” Use light in your favor.
Photography is ALL about light. When people ask me what time would be best for portraits, for example, they start to look at me crazy when I start blabbering about sunrise and sunset and golden this and that. They’ll just never understand…
42. Find your style of photography and stick with it.
I partially disagree. Yes, find your style. But don’t be afraid to change — art is an adaptive, ever-changing process, and your style should reflect that.
43. Having a second monitor is the best thing ever for photo processing.
Hallelujah. As long as it’s a good size and good quality.
44. Silver EFEX pro is the best b/w converter.
No idea about that, but sounds to me like saying “Canon makes the best cameras.” No one converter will be the best for every photo.
45. Carry your camera with you everywhere. Everywhere.
Except when you go swimming. Unless you have a sweet underwater housing. Otherwise, yes.
46. Never let photography get in the way of enjoying life.
Absolutely, but this sort of contradicts #45, I guess.
47. Don’t pamper your camera. Use and abuse it.
But don’t drop it either.
48. Take straight photos.
As opposed to gay ones? I don’t even know what that means.
49. Shoot with confidence.
But don’t be afraid to admit when you’re wrong.
50. Photography and juxtaposition are best friends.
Best friends forever.
51. Print out your photos big. They will make you happy.
I totally agree.
52. Give your photos to friends.
But only if they want them.
53. Give them to strangers.
But only if they want them.
54. Don’t forget to frame them.
Framing is a pain, but boy do they look nice. I agree.
55. Costco prints are cheap and look great.
We don’t have a Costco, but I can say to avoid Walmart, especially for larger prints.
56. Go out and take photos with (a) friend(s).
Excellent! Go out, learn from and with each other.
57. Join a photo club or start one for yourself.
Eh. Depends on the club. Try #56 first, then see what’s available to you.
58. Photos make great presents.
Usually, but see #52 and #53.
59. Taking photos of strangers is thrilling.
Except when they chase you with big knives. But for the ones who are expecting it and are willing, yes.
60. Candid>Posed.
Absolutely, except for high fashion shoots. But see #23.
61. Natural light is the best light.
Normally I would completely agree, but in the spirit of being a jerk, I’d point out that the best light is the light you have available to you, and the best light is the light you knowingly use to make a good photo. Usually, for me, that’s natural light.
62. 35mm (on full frame) is the best “walk-around” focal length.
Back to the prime lens issue, but I’ve heard this before. 35mm on a full frame camera is said to be equivalent to what your eyes see un-aided, but I haven’t measured this for myself. I’m told it just feels “natural.”
63. Don’t be afraid to bump up your ISO when necessary.
Agreed. But if it’s too high, the photos will probably be worthless. Grain is good, but too much grain is ugly.
64. You don’t need to always bring a tripod with you everywhere you go (hell, I don’t even own one).
Yep. Don’t lug around all of your gear when you only need some of it. But to not even own a tripod? Whoa.
65. It is always better to underexpose than overexpose.
Similar to #27, but I agree. When you overexpose, you lose detail in the highlights that is difficult, and usually impossible, to recover in post-production (i.e., the digital darkroom). It’s much easier to bring out detail in the shadows than recover detail in the highlights that just isn’t there.
66. Shooting photos of homeless people in an attempt to be “artsy” is exploitation.
Actually, it’s just plain rude. If you’re sneaking photos of them and selling them, then, yes. It’s exploitation. But if you talk to them, get to know them, and ask if you can take their portrait, then it’s not. It’s helping to tell the story of a societal problem that needs to be solved, and I think that in telling that story, with good intentions, you’re doing a noble thing.
67. You will find the best photo opportunities in the least likely situations.
And sometimes the opposite.
68. Photos are always more interesting with the human element included.
Again, always is a strong word. For an urban photographer, probably. For a nature photographer, no way. It just depends on what you’re shooting and what you want to say about it.
69. You can’t “photoshop” bad images into good ones.
Too true. And you can ruin some good images by over photoshopping them. Get it right the first time, in camera, and you’ll thank yourself later.
70. Nowadays everybody is a photographer.
Everybody and their uncle. Or at least they think they are. Read my post here on why professional photographers charge what they do.
71. You don’t need to fly to Paris to get good photos; the best photo opportunities are in your backyard.
Mostly true. It’s difficult to see your own familiar surroundings in a new way to make interesting photos, which is what makes travel photography so appealing. If you know where to look, though, you might come to find that you know how to convey the story of your backyard better than an outsider would. Unless your backyard is ugly. Then… good luck.
72. People with DSLRS who shoot portraits with their grip pointed downwards look like morons.
Hahahahaha. Yeah.
73. Cameras as tools, not toys.
Yep. Don’t let the camera control your photography. Learn to use it on manual. You should be able to tell it what you want it to do based on what you see, and not let it dominate you.
74. In terms of composition, photography and painting aren’t much different.
Correct. Same idea, different medium.
75. Photography isn’t a hobby — it’s a lifestyle.
For some people. Me. Eric. But for some, it’s just a hobby. Let’s keep it that way — I want to get paid for it!
76. Make photos, not excuses.
Cute. But true. Don’t blame the camera, don’t blame the lens, don’t blame this or that. Just take pictures, and take good ones.
77. Be original in your photography. Don’t try to copy the style of others.
In the long run, yes. But while you’re learning, it’s a good idea to try and emulate some of your favorites, and even recreate some of their photos. You’ll learn from your mistakes — which might have been their mistakes — and become a better photographer because of it.
78. The best photographs tell stories that begs the viewer for more.
That’s why publications like National Geographic, etc., are so popular. Their (stunning) images make you want to learn more about something, which is why you read the articles.
79. Any cameras but black ones draw too much attention.
Yeah, but Ashton Kutcher and colorful Coolpix ads go so well together…
80. The more gear you carry around with you the less you will enjoy photography.
Yep. If you don’t need it, don’t take it. It’s something that’s really hard to get over.
81. Good self-portraits are harder to take than they seem.
Tell me about it. I haven’t taken a good one yet.
82. Laughter always draws out peoples’ true character in a photograph.
Ah, the human element. Priceless. Agreed.
83. Don’t look suspicious when taking photos- blend in with the environment.
And be polite when the security guards try to confiscate your memory cards.
84. Landscape photography can become dull after a while.
Unless you’re a landscape photographer. On the other hand, urban photography can become dull after a while. I’d rather be outdoors in nature than in the city.
85. Have fun while taking photos.
Yea!
86. Never delete any of your photos.
What? None of them? I delete the ones I know are bad — blurry, over-exposed, etc. I do keep some/a lot of the ones that I think are just mediocre. I’ve surprised myself by going back to shoots I did a year ago and, upon a second look, find some true gems. But don’t be a pack rat. An overstatement, but I understand what he means.
87. Be respectful when taking photos of people or places.
This. Is. Essential.
88. When taking candid photos of people in the street, it is easier to use a wide-angle than a telephoto lens.
Not so sure. If you’re close to them, yes. If you’re standing across the street, maybe not.
89. Travel and photography are the perfect pair.
Absolutely, but see #71. It feels great to see new things and photograph them, and to bring back images from a far away land to show to your friends and family also feels good. Photography is an adventure.
90. Learn how to read a histogram.
Can’t emphasize this enough. It’s essential, especially when you can’t see your LCD screen in bright sunlight, etc. The histogram can, for want of a better phrase, save your ass.
91. A noisy photo is better than a blurry one.
True. Crank up that ISO if it means getting a clear shot. There are plenty of noise reduction techniques out there, but very few un-blurrying techniques.
92. Don’t be afraid to take photos in the rain.
Just be careful! Digital cameras are full of fancy computers and electronics, most of which don’t like water. Professional cameras are usually sealed against things like this, but smaller ones usually aren’t. The same goes for lenses.
93. Learn how to enjoy the moment, rather than relentlessly trying to capture the perfect picture of it.
Story of my life. The worst thing ever is when people just snap at every single thing they see and either lag behind or hold other people back. This is especially true at weddings, where a few rogue aunts or uncles with their new digital cameras (or cell phones) want to get every shot that the professional is trying to get, and usually interrupt and distract the pro in the process. This is why cameras at my wedding will be confiscated at the door and camera phones will suffer the wrath of our ultra-vigilant ushers. I’ll have enough photos from the professional, thanks, and I’d rather have our guests looking at us through their eyes instead of through a screen or viewfinder. (Sorry, ranting.)
94. Never take photos on an empty stomach.
Agreed — your mind isn’t as clear (or creative) when you’re hungry, and if you’re climbing or crawling or doing some other sort of strenuous activity to get a shot, it will be much less fun when all you hear is tummy grumbles.
95. You will discover a lot about yourself through your photography.
I’d never thought about that one, but he’s right. It’s like any other artform in that it’s an expression of human emotion.
96. Never hoard your photographic insight — share it with the world.
Precisely!
97. Never stop taking photos.
This reminded me of this story of a man who took a polaroid a day until the day he died. Fascinating. The point is, don’t stop doing what you love.
98. Photography is more than simply taking photos, it is a philosophy of life.
Too close to #75, but I get it. Like any artform, photography can become a part of who you are and how you express yourself.
99. Capture the decisive moment.
Besides light, photography is all about timing and anticipation. It’s all about the moment.
100. Write your own list.
Touché!
So, that’s it. Good list, Eric. Now, let me know what you think. Leave comments below, telling me what you thought about this post, about Eric’s list, about specific entries in it, etc. If you’d like me to elaborate on any of them, let me know. Let’s hear it. I’m in the mood for a discussion.
