BGomez: Tips & Tricks to Photography

Here’s a list of quick tips and tricks that I’ve compiled for both beginner and advanced level photographers.

1. You're a photographer, observe and learn light.
2. DSLR ≠ better photographs.
3. Professional ≠ Great Photographer.
4. Instagram Filters does not make uninteresting snapshots better.
5. Buy glass not bodies. (Invest on lenses not DSLR bodies)
6. External flash before new glass.
7. Prime lenses are light, sharp, inexpensive and fast.
8. Zoom lenses are more versatile.
9. Start with AUTO. Then learn Aperture/Shutter Priority. And finally, go full Manual.
10. For strobists. Learn and master one flash/light setup first.
11. Learn two and three lighting setups.
12. Image stabilization, Vibration Reduction and Shake Reduction does not compensate for subject movement.
13. High ISO creates grains and noise in the photo.
14. Grain is not bad.
15. Bigger aperture = shallow depth of field and more light (thus getting a faster shutter speed).
16. Faster Shutter speed = Freezes action.
17. Turn off Image Stabilization when you don't need it.
18. Deem or turn your rear LCD off to conserve battery.
19. Image Stabilization drains your batteries.
20. Image Stabilization can cause shutter lag.
21. Use a Stofen diffuser indoors. Never at outdoor shoots.
22. Bounce your flash for a flattering light.
23. External flash guns should be used off camera.
24. Bigger light source = More flattering light.
25. Your small pop-up flash will not light up large rooms.
26. Buy a reflector to maximize the use of any light source.
27. Master the use of ambient light.
28. You can use your flash even when shooting in daylight as fill lighting.
29. You can trigger an off-camera flash in three ways: Wireless, Infrared and flash from other flash units, and by Wire.
30. The Sun is the most powerful light source you can ever have. It's also free.
31. Shoot during the golden hour. That’s 1-2 hours after sunrise and sunset.
32. Know when the Sun rises and sets.
33. Get a compass.
34. Buy a sturdy tripod.
35. Filters affect your image. Yes! Even those clear ones.
36. Lens hoods don't make your look like a pro.
37. Get photography gear that you NEED. Not what you WANT.
38. Don't make a purchase based on a brand name.
39. Find a Photographic mentor.
40. Buy books not gear.
41. Master your camera. Know it like the back of your hand.
42. Read those manuals.
43. Research on the item you want to purchase before shelling out your hard earned money.
44. Learn to improvise.
45. Don't change lenses in windy and dusty environments.
46. Dust is a fact of life.
47. Don't obsess on gear.
48. Wedding photography is hard.
49. Get ample amounts of exercise. Photography is a physically strenuous activity.
50. Make sure your check each gear before a major photo shoot.
51. Buy extra memories.
52. Invest on a battery grip and extra batteries for your equipment.
53. Use rechargeable AA batteries (I recommend buying Sanyo Eneloops).
54. Get a dry cabinet for your camera bodies and lenses especially when you live in a humid area.
55. Back up your photos as soon as you can.
56. JPEG are great for quick edits and snapshots.
57. RAW is a more robust file format. Use it if you need to edit the photo a lot.
58. Shoot both vertically and horizontally.
59. Find a different angle.
60. Get it right in camera. Don't think that you'll just Photoshop it.
61. Learn Photoshop but NEVER rely on it. You're a Photographer, remember?
62. GIMP is a great alternative for Photoshop.
63. Adobe Lightroom is a great way to edit and manage your photos. Picasa is also a good free alternative.
64. Professional photography is not a glamorous profession.
65. Join Photography forums.
66. Attend photo walks.
67. Get out and Shoot.
68. Try shooting film.
69. Try shooting in Black and White.
70. Explore other genres of photography.
71. Light painting is fun!
72. Make your friends and family members your models. Practice your skills on them.
73. Always have model release forms with you.
74. You don't need any permission when shooting in a public place. Because IT IS a public place.
75. Know your rights as a photographer.
76. If someone asks to delete his/her photo that you took. Do it.
77. Do photography not for the money.
78. Respect your models.
79. Create a great rapport with your clients.
80. Smile a lot when in a wedding shoot.
81. Turn off all the beeps and sound on your camera.
82. If you don't need the AF assist light, turn it off.
83. For long exposures. The slightest movement of the shutter press can blur your shot. Try using a remote or timer.
84. When visiting a place to take photographs, research on what to expect.
85. Share your work online.
86. Give constructive criticisms to other photographer's work.
87. There's a lot more to professional photography than taking a great photograph.
88. Successful Pro Photographer = Great Photography Skills + Business Skills.
89. More likes on Facebook ≠ to better photographer.
90. Try and create or find your style of photography.
91. Don't be better. Be different.
92. Talk to other pros not just about techniques but also the business side of the industry.
93. You can learn more about photography by becoming an assistant to a great photographer.
94. You don't need a degree in art school to become a great photographer.
95. Sometimes things don't go as you planned.
96. Learn from your mistakes.
97. Delete useless photographs.
98. Do not upload too many photographs in one album. It gets really boring to look at 300+ photos of the same cat or food.
99. ALWAYS bring a camera with you.
100. Make friends. Not enemies.
101. Enjoy Photography!

Blaise Gomez ♤