Whether you are an amateur photographer or someone looking to break into professional photography, you may be wondering how to improve your skills. Of course, practice and experimentation are great ways to test your skills and develop your own style over time. But, could your gear be holding you back?
The answer to that question is a resounding “Yes!” It’s obvious that improving aspects of your equipment can improve your overall picture quality. Some photography equipment can elevate your shots by allowing you to capture more vivid pictures. Your gear can also help you take dynamic and high-quality images you can’t otherwise get with an ordinary camera. So, with that in mind, we’re about to take a look at the right gear to invest in if you’re looking to improve your photography.
Up Your Lens Game
One of the simplest ways to improve versatility and picture quality is to upgrade your lenses. Sure, lenses can be expensive, but when you read what the experts at Photophique explain on their lens reviews, you’ll quickly realize that even a lower-end upgrade can still make a huge difference to your images. Most cameras, whether DSLR or mirrorless, come with a kit lens. This will often be 18-55mm, or something similar to this.
These lenses are relatively versatile for the beginner, sure. However, as you’ll quickly realize, they simply don’t offer enough flexibility for someone looking to take a wide range of photos. Adding a wide-angle lens and/or a telephoto lens to your collection will suddenly give you a much wider variety of shots to experiment with. You don’t need to be carrying around 12 different lenses, but something with a long zoom and something for close-up shots at very least should sort you out.
Before purchasing a new lens, check if it’s compatible with your camera. Additionally, see some sample photos taken with the model you’re eyeing to inspect its output. Some lenses may offer varying results even when they have the same focal length. For instance, a new lens model may capture more vibrant colours than previous versions.
What’s In The Body?
It’s obviously worth considering what camera body you are using. If you are in the world of DSLRs, your camera contains a mirror, sensor, and various digital systems to allow you to use all the camera’s features. If you are still using a beginner body, you might find it hard to push your photos to the absolute maximum, even with new lenses. The same applies to mirrorless cameras, while either type of camera is suitable for a professional. Effectively, if you want to learn how to use all the advanced features of a modern camera, you need a camera that possesses said features!
Additionally, it may help to go on photography holidays and workshops with your equipment to test it. Taking photos of various subjects will help you understand how your camera’s features work.
Lighting Like Lightning
An often-overlooked aspect of photography and associated equipment is lighting. Although a built-in camera flash can help illuminate a dark subject, a stronger illumination source works better in low-light settings. The great news here is, lighting is now more portable than ever. With collapsable stands and LED-powered lights, you can now carry decent lighting with you wherever you go. Lighting a frame from a different angle, from behind, or with colored filters can completely change a scene, giving your photos a totally different feel. It’s also much easier to adjust and trust artificial lighting than it is to use natural lighting that could change at any minute. Take a look at some of the best portable lighting solutions on the market and you’ll notice the difference.
Keep It Still
Shaky hands can be a problem for photographers, especially if you are shooting in low light with long exposures, or hanging off a stand or ladder trying to get that perfect shot. Even the slightest camera movements can ruin your pictures and make them blurry. In these instances, there are some options available to help you keep the camera still and the photo crisp.
For standard studio or controlled shots, use a tripod. Again, these can be carried very easily these days, as they are super light and telescopic. When shooting on the move there are a variety of steady-cam-like body attachments and shoulder mounts to help you keep the camera level at all times.
Remote Controlled Skills
Most digital cameras are now connected with Bluetooth, wifi or infrared sensors. Thanks to this, you can now take photos with remote controls from a great distance, if needed. This allows you to get closer to your subjects or manipulate scenes to greater extents. For instance, a remote-control camera gear, like a drone, will allow you to take long-distance and aerial shots of sceneries. The remote just gives you more flexibility, and that can only help you develop your skills!
Down To The Edit
So much of digital photography these days comes down to the edit. If you don’t already, you need to buy, download and learn to use some top-quality editing software. Without it, your pictures just won’t meet the high standards needed today. Sure, some photos are near perfect from the second they are taken, but others do require a bit of work in the edit. For example, a photo may need some editing magic to make the colours stand out. Editing also allows you to remove small details that may ruin an otherwise perfect shot. So, get some great software – and a computer if you need one – and start editing those photos like a pro.
Final Thoughts
You can achieve excellent photography skills by learning the basic skills and practising them. Furthermore, having the right equipment may also elevate your photos. With these tools, you can massively up your camera game and give yourself more chance of improving your skills. Each piece, one at a time, will help you slowly increase in confidence as a photographer.