Getting into photography

Wyndham

It's worth being analytical (and critical) of both your own and other people's photos.

If you see a shot you like, take a step back - what do you like about it? Is it the composition, the colours, the subject or what? I often take two or three of the same shot, with small differences, then see which I like best - then work out why.

And if you don't like a photo do the same thing - why don't you like it? It could be out of focus, the subject may not be in the right place, your thumb may have got in the way (for me, so many times that I'm embarassed to admit to it!) And then next time, try to improve, or try something different and see how that works out.

Over time your photos will get better. You'll still get duds, but hopefully less of them. And occassionally something you've taken will be magnificent!

DullGreyGuy

JohnB47 said:

I would not recommend using a mobile phone as a camera if starting out in photography. Not enough manual control. 

Technically there is no control you are missing on an iPhone however the fstop is fixed (some non mobile phone lenses also have a fixed aperture). The basic Camera app doesn't expose most of the controls but there are other apps that do allow you to set the shutter speed, ISO, white balance, focus, exposure (if not in full manual) etc.  

I agree it's a big one but it's also a challenge to use with it being fixed. Plenty of photographers play with pinhole cameras and they too cannot change the aperture