From a complete beginner....
When I got into photography 3 years ago I was a late starter to a hobby (at the time) that had been too many years too long !
As with anything like this, you try making up for lost time really quickly without doing the research which I now recognise is clearly needed, even to take it up as a hobby. Whether your images are just snapshots that you want for your socials or even if you are looking to get prints, you will always be judged on your work.
I started with a Sony A6000 mirrorless APS-C camera (and still have it to this day) as I had looked around and actually checked out reviews and Youtube etc... and off I went with my new camera and kit lens thinking I was Ansel Adams or Rankin. Taking pictures left right and centre and subscribing to the basic Adobe package which included Lightroom & Photoshop.
I hadn't truly looked at all the settings but continued learning from Facebook group pages and Youtube content. I learn't about the "Exposure Triangle" which I'll talk about in another blog and off I went learning about light and that's what photography is, drawing with light in essence. You want the right exposure for your shot (unless you are wanting to create a dark and moody or light and airy image) and that's what "Aperture", "ISO" and "Shutter Speed" are.
Anyway, I digress.....
I went off taking pictures mainly of Landscapes, a bit of street, some macro, the odd person (well, not odd like that) and I was happy doing this. I got some good feedback on my socials but my editing was all over the place, I was incorporating some unnecessary, horrible vignetting and I still was unsure of my niche.
Why was I putting myself under this pressure, it was only a hobby! That was until the day my cousin had been let down by her Wedding Photographer with a week to go and asked if I'd help out. Well I obviously agreed and I knew the guests at the Wedding so I wasn't too nervous but your Wedding day is a one shot day. There are no repeats or asking your subject to throw on their outfits the week after because you were incompetent.
The day came, I was underprepared and looking back now I actually cringe at myself for the mistakes I made but I did it. It was a red hot day in May and I had these creative ideas but didn't know fully how to execute them. The lighting was dark inside for the ceremony and at the height of a sunny day outdoors so the lighting was a challenge. I did the gallery, provided the edits and she was happy, even though looking back I really cringe but it's all a learning curve.
This is just one story, one blog about my experiences of a photographer and how it started, where it is and how it will pan out. I will do a Blog specifically on Weddings and the ones I've done since and how I've learnt, grown and continue to get better.
Photography, at every photographers level, is a challenge and a puzzle but you just immerse yourself in knowledge and you'll get there.
With regards to niches and things I photograph, I was so hung up on finding one.......don't ! I spoke to someone recently and actually saw a video from her about how she has been a photographer for years and she photographs everything. If you are good at it, photograph it and show it off proudly.
Thanks for reading
Russ
