With today's abundance of various cameras and equipment for them, many forget that professionalism is determined not by the brand of the device and not by its price tag. Professionalism is, first of all, experience.
It is necessary
Camera
Instructions
Step 1
It is no coincidence that the list of necessary items is limited to one item. To learn how to photograph well, you only need a camera. Everything. Although even this is not entirely true - you can even limit yourself to a matchbox! Seriously. You make a hole in it, insert the film - and you get a camera called a pinhole, and the craftsmen manage to shoot masterpieces with it. But for a start, a simple camera, film or digital, is enough for you - choose yourself, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you have enough patience and desire is great, take a tape: it is more difficult to tinker with it, but with the help of it you will fill your hand. The number is simpler and more accessible, but it will “think” too much for you.
Step 2
So, you have a camera and you are going to own it professionally. So you sit and read this ?! Get up quickly, grab your "one-eyed friend", and march to photograph! Anything, anyone. Get started now. Go outside, catch interesting scenes from the life of people and animals. Observe nature. Return home, view the photo. Note what worked well and what didn't. What you like and what not. Show your pictures to others, let them express their thoughts. Do not throw these photos away, review them in a month. You will see your view of them change.
When you go outside, take your camera with you. Shoot more, more often. But that doesn't mean you can hang your camera on your belt and make it click every five minutes. Think about everything you do. Looking into the lens, you should ask yourself the question: what is the value of this particular shot? What do you want to convey with your creativity?
Step 3
As time passes, you will have a lot of pictures. Different, successful and not very successful, on different topics. Looking through your "baggage", once again ask yourself the question: why? What do you want to say with all this mass of pictures? Do they have an idea, a meaning? Do not be afraid to admit your creativity is imperfect, empty - such stages are inevitable in any business, the main thing is how you will survive them. Don't be afraid to change. It is important to bring in an understanding of why you are photographing. A group photo in a kindergarten, a wedding photo, a photo for an album of graduates is not professionalism yet. For many photographers, this is just “hack-work” that generates income (although this does not mean that professionalism cannot be achieved in this type of activity, by no means!). Aerobatics is to be an artist who has a camera instead of a brush.
Step 4
Study the work of the masters. Henri Cartier-Bresson, Alexander Rodchenko, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Joseph Sudek and others - these names have remained in history, they inspire many contemporary photographers. Take a close look at the work of photographers, figuring out why this or that frame looks so expressive. Books on art, photography, compositions will come to your aid. Read them, practice on them.
Step 5
When you take a picture, think in series - such advice is given by the modern photographer Valery Nistratov. Please note that the works of the masters of light painting (this is how the word “photography” is literally translated) are harmonious not only separately, but also together. They are united by a common theme, some thought, idea, compositional solution, etc. That is, a series of photographs can be collected from them. Browse albums, collections of your photos. If they don't remind you of a hodgepodge of random shots, then you are well on your way to mastery.
Step 6
Having learned how to handle your camera, you can already master more "advanced" devices, learn additional techniques and various gadgets. But remember, your main tool is not even the camera, but your own eyes, as well as the light around. Therefore, "train" your gaze, as musicians train their ear. Watch more, notice interesting details. And if you know how to use light, you will be able to take a great shot, even with your cell phone. In inept hands, the most advanced photographic equipment will only create hindrances to creativity. Expensive pots are not a guarantee of delicious borscht.
