5 Non-Photographic Photography Tips

by Clive Dexter| Photographer at Large

Some non-photographic photography principles to keep in mind.

When capturing an image, a photographer must factor dozens of different variables with each click of the shutter. A seasoned photographer does this on a nearly subconscious level.

For a beginner, it can be overwhelming trying to keep in mind all the things that need to be attended to while taking even the simplest of images.

It can be tempting to let the camera take over and do all the work for you and just put it on automatic. But you can never really master your craft until you know what’s what on your camera.

Sometimes the stress of it all can lead to burnout. So, with that in mind, we thought we would share some of the lessons that we've learned to stay sane (relatively) throughout our collective photography careers.

Here are a few non-photographic tips to keep in mind next time you’re clicking the light fantastic. They just may help you in life as well.

1. Practice Make Perfect

Shoot, and shoot often. If possible, carry your camera with you wherever you go. I know photographers who believe that one is not really a “true photographer” if they don’t take their camera everywhere they go. I don’t know if I would go that far, but, if I had a camera every time I saw a perfect image just waiting to be taken, I would have doubled or tripled my portfolio by now.

Point and shoot at whatever grabs your interest. It’s not the film days anymore. Taking a picture costs nothing but time and each shot is an opportunity to learn more.

2. Take a Chill Pill

Stress can reduce our ability to absorb and retain information. For many of us, just the thought of trying to learn something can create anxiety. This may occur for a variety of reasons, but the solution may be as simple as momentarily stopping whatever is causing you stress and taking a few deep breaths. It may sound cliché, but it does help.

If overcoming the stress isn’t working, you can always embrace it. Realize that is just the way you are going to be feeling and accept it as part of the process. Remind yourself that you are in no danger and that the feeling will eventually pass.

Preparation and visualization of the shoot beforehand goes a long way toward reducing the unknowns which can be a source of stress.

3. Make No Mistake That You Will Make Mistakes

There is no need to be afraid of making mistakes. You are human and you will make mistakes every day for the rest of your life. So the pressure of perfection is off. This is as true of photography as it is of life. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn and understand what you need to do next time in the same situation. Give yourself permission to fail. Fortunately, photography is rarely a “do or die” situation.

4. Don’t Walk and Chew Gum at the Same Time

It’s been said that the human brain can only concentrate on one thing at a time. What we may perceive as multi-tasking is really only a quick singular attention that quickly switches to another single task. And within those quick switches of attention, the most generous estimate of what the average person can manage effectively is seven tasks.

When driving a car, you don’t think to yourself, “I’m turning left, so I will activate my turn signal by pushing down.” You just do it. However, a novice driver can become so overwhelmed with all the variables; speed, braking, cross traffic, lights, pedestrians, etc. that they forget to even activate the turn signal.

As we become knowledgeable about one particular thing, it doesn’t require as much conscious attention. It then becomes “second nature”; eventually requiring little, if any conscious thought. At one point in our lives, we all had to concentrate on simply standing in one spot without falling. Now it is likely well engrained in your muscle memory as long as you haven’t had a few too many drinks.

What’s the point? Learn one thing at a time. Learn it well. Then move on to the next lesson.

So, you may ask, “What’s the first lesson?” Well, let number five be your first photographic assignment.

You will learn whether you try to or not. Your brain is absorbing information with every passing moment and activity. If the thought of learning is stopping you from enjoying your chosen craft, let go and just have fun.

If you are taking pictures of someone, muster the courage to be silly. Tell them to, “Show me happy, show me angry, or work it, girl!” or whatever ridiculous thing that comes to mind. You will often find that the images you take while laughing and playing around can be the best of the bunch.

5. Have Fun!

You likely chose photography because you enjoy the action and results of capturing objects, people, scenes or moments in time. If you enjoy what you are doing, the rest will fall right into place.