Tuesday, April 17, 2012

100 Things I Have Learned About Photography.


1. Just because someone has an expensive camera doesn’t mean that they’re a good photographer.

(I only have one out-dated Canon 500D, but I can take better picture than latest Canon EOS 600D)
2. Always shoot in RAW. Always.
(No matter how high you jump, how deep you dive. Sometimes you have to put yourself in dangerous condition in order to take a picture in time eg: WW2)
3. Prime lenses help you learn to be a better photographer.
4. Photo editing is an art in itself

(I don't really photoshop, sorry. I emphasize more on original quality, no added effects etc.)
5. The rule of thirds works 99% of the time.
6. Macro photography isn’t for everybody.

(Unless you'd rather talk to insects than human, so I do. How about you?)
7. UV filters work just as well as lens caps.
8. Go outside and shoot photos rather than spending hours a day on photography forums.

(Follow your mood, without a theme or title. Just shoot!)
9. Capture the beauty in the mundane and you have a winning photograph.
10. Film isn’t better than digital.
(Because of unlimitted time of NG?)
11. Digital isn’t better than film.
(Film costs you more, that's why you'd have spent less attempt to get better result.)
12. There is no “magic” camera or lens.
(If yes, those are rubbish as in the eyes of a photographer eg: some applications in Apple/Android.)
13. Better lenses don’t give you better photos.
(Agree. I'd rather walking nearer to the object in order to complete my 15-300mm shoot.)
14. Spend less time looking at other people’s work and more time shooting your own.
(Follow your instinct.)
15. Don’t take your DSLR to parties.
(Since you will shoot people's expression without thinking what're you actually doing there?)
16. Girls dig photographers.
17. Making your photos b/w doesn’t automatically make them “artsy”
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”.

(Only if you have your own digital darkroom, therefore I salute.)
19. You don’t need to take a photo of everything.
(As if writing a dairy? Lol, I think Im the one who mentioned.)
20. Have at least 2 backups of all your images. Like they say in war, two is one, one is none.
(I have total of 4 hard disc, you know what I mean.)
21. Ditch the neck strap and get a handstrap.
(Is that important to protect your camera?)
22. Get closer when taking your photos, they often turn out better.
(NEVER zoom in or zoom out !! Always bear in mind.)
23. Be a part of a scene while taking a photo; not a voyeur.
(A mystery that can tell you the story behind each photo.)
24. Taking a photo crouched often make your photos look more interesting.
(Come on, no one cares about how dirty you're as long as you can get a good photo shooting.)
25. Worry less about technical aspects and focus more on compositional aspects of photography.
26. Tape up any logos on your camera with black gaffers tape- it brings a lot less attention to you.
27. Always underexpose by 2/3rds of a stop when shooting in broad daylight.
28. The more photos you take, the better you get.

(Is not how long you bought a DSLR, but how often you use it.)
29. Don’t be afraid to take several photos of the same scene at different exposures, angles, or apertures.
(My favourite quote, my principle as well.)
30. Only show your best photos.
(Best means one in thousand of photo, remember only ONE.)
31. A point-and-shoot is still a camera.
32. Join an online photography forum.

(I'd like to join if I have free time.)
33. Critique the works of others.
(At the same time, accept what people criticize about yours and make a change.)
34. Think before you shoot.
(In case there's rigid object.)
35. A good photo shouldn’t require explanation (although background information often adds to an image). *
(Photo tells everything. Have you ever heard this?)
36. Alcohol and photography do not mix well.
37. Draw inspiration from other photographers but never worship them.

(You can copy, but not too much. Have some skills when copying people.)
38. Grain is beautiful.
39. Ditch the photo backpack and get a messenger bag. It makes getting your lenses and camera a whole lot easier.

(But it's heavy!! Lol, I tell you, an enthusiastic he/she can carry tonne of photographing gadgets. Believe me, I'm only 47kg, though.)
40. Simplicity is key.
41. The definition of photography is: “painting with light.” Use light in your favor.

(Sometimes you had been waiting for whole day only for a second which the light hits your target.)
42. Find your style of photography and stick with it.
(I learn it only during my first backpack to Angkor wat. Which me and my friend have totally converse idea about ideal photo. The definite me, the infinitive him.)
43. Having a second monitor is the best thing ever for photo processing.
44. Silver EFEX pro is the best b/w converter.

(Doesn't understand at all.)
45. Carry your camera with you everywhere. Everywhere.
(Even when you've slept, it' should be keeping at distance you can reach with your hand. Sometimes life isn't simple yet peaceful.)
46. Never let photography get in the way of enjoying life.
47. Don’t pamper your camera. Use and abuse it.

(You think it can be broken down easily by a knock/blow? Come on, overestimate it, it can last longer than your entire life.)
48. Take straight photos.
(For learner uses grid. For me I adjust through horizon.)
49. Shoot with confidence.
(And heart, to feel it, as if the photo can talk to yourself. Only then you can touch people heart.)
50. Photography and juxtaposition are best friends.
51. Print out your photos big. They will make you happy.

(Arghhhhh, I should have done this frequently. The last big photo was my portrait, I'm naccissistic I admit.)
52. Give your photos to friends.
(Like what I usually do.)
53. Give them to strangers.
(I wouldn't mind.)
54. Don’t forget to frame them.
(I compile them.)
55. Costco prints are cheap and look great.
56. Go out and take photos with (a) friend(s).

(I'm lone ranger, always. People can never have patience in waiting for me.)
57. Join a photo club or start one for yourself.
(I'd prefer my own photo club =P)
58. Photos make great presents.
(My gf knows it, as my 23th birthday is a lovely album+ photos.)
59. Taking photos of strangers is thrilling.
60. Candid>Posed.

(Don't pose too much, or I think it's fake enough.)
61. Natural light is the best light.
(Bingo !!)
62. 35mm (on full frame) is the best “walk-around” focal length.
63. Don’t be afraid to bump up your ISO when necessary.

(With a tripod remember.)
64. You don’t need to always bring a tripod with you everywhere you go (hell, I don’t even own one).
(Certainly some wood, stone, lens cover etc they could be your tripod in the mean time.)
65. It is always better to underexpose than overexpose.
66. Shooting photos of homeless people in an attempt to be “artsy” is exploitation.

(India? Luckily I had my first DSLR 2 months before I left India for study.)
67. You will find the best photo opportunities in the least likely situations.
(That's why stand-by all the time, because you don't know what's gonna happen next.)
68. Photos are always more interesting with the human element included.
(A good photo never telling lie. Like Mona Lisa.)
69. You can’t “photoshop” bad images into good ones.
(Say NO to photoshop!)
70. Nowadays everybody is a photographer.
(Just like everybody can sing, it's just a matter of singing good or bad.)
71. You don’t need to fly to Paris to get good photos; the best photo opportunities are in your backyard.
(True! Just few pieces of stone I can enjoy myself by shooting it as exactly the Mount Kinabalu.)
72. People with DSLRS who shoot portraits with their grip pointed downwards look like morons.
(Noted. It's of how skillful when u prastise self-shooting, like a camwhore?!)
73. Cameras as tools, not toys.
74. In terms of composition, photography and painting aren’t much different.

(Agree.)
75. Photography isn’t a hobby- it’s a lifestyle.
(Can this be my life-long quote?)
76. Make photos, not excuses.
77. Be original in your photography. Don’t try to copy the style of others.

(Don't ever lose your own style while copying others.)
78. The best photographs tell stories that begs the viewer for more.
79. Any cameras but black ones draw too much attention.

(Now you know who's attention seeker who's not.)
80. The more gear you carry around with you the less you will enjoy photography.
(If possible, bring ONE camera at ONE time. I have total of 4 DSLR at home, I know how its feel.)
81. Good self-portraits are harder to take than they seem.
(Angle is an issue.)
82. Laughter always draws out peoples’ true character in a photograph.
83. Don’t look suspicious when taking photos- blend in with the environment.

(Be more natural, that's why i never like to take individual photo, prefer candid.)
84. Landscape photography can become dull after a while.
(时过境迁)
85. Have fun while taking photos.
(I have alot of fun no matter whenever, wherever I'm, whoever I'm with.)
86. Never delete any of your photos.
(Because you can't take the exactly same photo afterward.)
87. Be respectful when taking photos of people or places.
(Do remember certain place is photographing prohibited like hospital, museum etc. Just don't break the rules because of your enthusiasm.)
88. When taking candid photos of people in the street, it is easier to use a wide-angle than a telephoto lens.
89. Travel and photography are the perfect pair.

(Kind of car and petrol.)
90. Learn how to read a histogram.
91. A noisy photo is better than a blurry one.

(If can avoid both of them, sometimes the blurry has its own blurring beauty in it, just no one knows.)
92. Don’t be afraid to take photos in the rain.
(My bad experience in Taiwan, I can get an umbrella to protect my head, a raincoat to protect my body, what about camera. That's why I get myself a water-proof one.)
93. Learn how to enjoy the moment, rather than relentlessly trying to capture the perfect picture of it.
(It's physically and mentally exhausted as an aftermath, the the double satisfaction and happiness is always worth for it.)
94. Never take photos on an empty stomach.
(At least with a cocoa wafer and a meiji cookies, like what I did today morning.)
95. You will discover a lot about yourself through your photography.
(For instance, to build up your personality.)
96. Never hoard your photographic insight- share it with the world.
(Nowsdays it's Facebook era, sharing is caring.)
97. Never stop taking photos
(The theory is same as never stop smiling, because you don't know who will falling in love with your smile in the next second.)
98. Photography is more than simply taking photos, it is a philosophy of life
(Not all philosopher is a good photographer, but almost all photographer is a philosopher.)
99. Capture the decisive moment
(No time to think twice, action stat.)
100. Write your own list.

I've done. Remember, photographing is a lifestyle, not a hobby. Good luck and happy photographing everyone =)