When you’re just starting with photography, it’s tempting to think you need the latest camera, the sharpest lens, and all the fancy gadgets. Trust me, I’ve been there. But here’s the thing: keeping it simple when you’re starting out can actually help you grow faster as a photographer. It lets you focus on what really matters—your creativity, your craft, and your passion for capturing great shots.
Why You Don’t Need All the Fancy Gear (Yet)
Sure, high-end gear can make a difference, but without a solid understanding of the basics, even the best camera won’t save a bad photo. The key is learning how to use what you have. You’ll get way more out of a basic setup if you know how to control your settings, work with light, and compose your shots. Once you’ve nailed the basics, then you can start upgrading your gear to match your style.
A Real-Life Example
Not too long ago, someone asked me to teach them how to edit their photos. I showed them my workflow, how to batch edit, and even how to fine-tune the details. But here’s where they got stuck—they didn’t know how to use their camera.
They shot in auto mode at a beach in the middle of the day, so the photos were all over the place. Some were too bright, others too dark, and the colors were inconsistent because the white balance was on auto. Editing those photos was like trying to fix a puzzle where half the pieces were missing. Thankfully, they had shot in RAW, so we could recover a lot of the details, but it was still a tough job.
In the end, out of over 1,000 photos, only about 8 were good enough to print. That’s a harsh lesson, but it’s one a lot of beginners learn: good editing can’t fix everything. You need to get the basics right first.
Why RAW Is Your Best Friend
If you’re not shooting in RAW yet, start now. RAW files capture way more data than JPEGs, giving you more flexibility when you’re editing. Yes, the files are bigger, and you’ll need a decent memory card (I recommend 64GB or 128GB), but it’s worth it. RAW files let you recover shadows and highlights that would be lost in a JPEG.
But remember—RAW won’t save blurry photos, bad composition, or poor lighting. That’s why it’s so important to learn your camera settings, understand light, and practice framing your shots.
Tips to Get Started
Learn Your Camera: Get comfortable with manual mode. Play around with shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.
Practice with Light: Try shooting in different lighting conditions and see how it changes your photos.
Focus on Composition: A well-framed shot can make even a basic setup look professional.
Don’t Be Afraid to Mess Up: Henri Cartier-Bresson said it best: “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” Mistakes are just part of the process.
Photography is a journey, and there’s no magic shortcut. The good news is, every single photo you take gets you closer to where you want to be. So grab your camera, keep it simple, and start shooting!
A Photo for Inspiration
I’ll leave you with an image I took that shows the dynamic range I was able to capture. It’s a great example of what you can achieve when you master the basics of shooting and editing. You can do it too!
