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Communications & Marketing
Photography knows no age

Photography is a hobby that knows no age, time, or place – it’s never too late to start.

Authors:

Martti Asikainen

viestinnän asiantuntija, yrittäjyys ja liiketoiminnan uudistaminen
communications specialist, entrepreneurship and business development
Haaga-Helia ammattikorkeakoulu

Published : 17.09.2020

Are terms like diopter, chromatic aberration, and aperture unfamiliar to you? Do focal points and photosensitivity pique your interest?

Don’t worry! You’re not alone in not knowing the intricacies of photography. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to become a skilled photographer yourself.

Anyone can learn it

Photography is a captivating hobby that can easily consume you, and it’s never too late to embark on this new passion. As many would say, some of the best photographers in the industry are significantly closer to retirement age than the peak of their youth.

The beauty of photography lies in its learnable nature. Anyone, regardless of their background, can become a skilled photographer with dedication and practice. So, don’t hesitate to dive into photography, but be warned, it will sweep you away in an instant.

The easiest way to delve into the world of photography is by taking a photography course. These courses teach you how to use your camera effectively, compose and crop images, play with color and contrast, and experiment with light and shadow, among other valuable skills.

The reason why professional photographers often excel and produce better pictures than the average person is their commitment to practice and their knowledge of shooting techniques. It’s all about paying attention to those small details, which you too can learn.

You can do a lot if you know how to shoot pictures

It’s no secret that talented photographers are often sought after for celebrations and events. People want them present to capture the precious moments when their favorite goddaughter recites vows or receives confirmation. There’s no shame in earning some extra money by photographing weddings or birthday parties for friends.

You can also make a decent income by selling well-crafted landscape and situational photos through online image banks. That’s why the upcoming autumn, with its inspiring and vibrant colors, is the perfect time to dive into photography.

Many people believe that photography is an expensive hobby, but that’s not necessarily true. While you can invest a significant amount of money in photography, just like any other hobby, it’s not mandatory.

A good photograph is not determined by your equipment alone. In fact, a mid-range smartphone is sufficient to get started if you have a suitable camera app. Many professional photographers claim that the best camera is the one you have within reach at any given moment because the perfect moment can pass in seconds.

That’s why a photographer’s ability to capture and immortalize the world around them becomes more important than the price tag of their camera. And this skill can only be honed through active practice.

Here are my 6 tips for beginners

  1. Pay attention to the horizon. The horizon should be straight because otherwise, it takes the attention away from the object being photographed. At worst, a winked horizon can ruin the whole picture, which is why you should always pay special attention to it.
  2. Focus and compose your photos carefully. By focusing correctly and composing an image pleasing to the eye, you ensure that attention is immediately drawn to the object being photographed.
  3. Avoid over-cropping. Think carefully about how you want to compose and frame the image when taking it. Cropped subjects, some of which remain outside the picture, are not always pleasing to the eye. Learn cropping through photos taken by professional photographers.
  4. Love the light and play with it. Natural light is often the best light for photography, but if you are indoors, for example, you have to be careful where the light comes from and how it reflects on the subject. Light is a tool that you only learn to use by shooting.
  5. Shoot with determination. Before pressing the shutter button, think about what you want to say with the picture and how you want to show it. Development as a photographer happens through determination.
  6. Learn with others. The internet is full of photography groups where hobbyists talk about their works with each other. Submit your photos for others to rate and learn from their comments. At the same time, you can also comment on other people’s photos.