I wanted to pass on some of the things I’ve learnt over the last 5 years.
yep. I’ve only been doing it (photoing) for 5 years.
1. the camera is not all that important these days. it’s the person (taking the photo) behind the camera that matters. cameras are pretty good these days. phones are also good. so use what ever you want.
2. take plenty of photos. if you wait for photos, you will end up with none or very little to work with.
sometimes I get photo-block. when that happens, I force myself to get the camera out and take photos.
it really works as it gets the mind into gear, and the creative juices flowing.
3. avoid hesitating. this is a big one, particularly if you want to take street shots. if you hesitate, you are sure to miss the opportunity(s). keep the camera a easy reach.
i use a shoulder strap.
4. sometimes the biggest issue when you first start, can be: what do I want to take photos of?
one way to help with this block is to look at photo web sites. Flickr, Instagram, WordPress etc. etc. can really help one find a focus. these sites also offer feedback and can give you great ideas.
Flickr has really influenced what styles I trended towards.
5. do a course. they can be so helpful to understand all of the functions on your camera.
note: what may work for some one else, may not work for you.
so, there are no absolute rules with photography.
6. avoid taking yourself too seriously. this is a big one for beginners. if you are too hard on yourself/compare yourself to others/get too caught up on the ‘perfect’ photo. etc. you will end up unhappy.
there is an unbridled joy in taking and processing photos.
let yourself enjoy the experience.
7. processing. there are plenty of free software programs on the net like Gimp and they are all relatively easy to use and are great for beginners.
Noir 
Your move to instagram rekindled my “photo-bug”… I remembered that I like photography😄 With the kids, we scan our environments for funny things to take pictures of. It helps these shy, anxious kids find a little joy!
So glad it did.
Thank you 🙂
Hi Gavin, all are great suggestions. I do take myself to serious and work on it constantly. Taking lots of photos in not a problem for me, to many some times. I think what if I never see this waterfall again, better load up. I get critical once their loaded in Photoshop. I do have two classes lined up, there is always something new to learn. Looks like you are feeling great, glad to see. Take care. 🙂
Thank you.
You can never take too many fotos.
Yes. Doing ok af the moment 🙂
Enjoy !…. thanks, Gavin
🙂 🙂 🙂
the main thing is to enjoy going out and photographing pleasure to broadcast, if it becomes a constraint, then it is better to move on good day Gavin
Yes. Enjoyment is the key 🙂
Gavin thank you and sorry for my english bad enough 😕 Translators are not always right: oops:
No problems 🙂
Great post, Gavin! And some really good hints and tips. As you know, I’ve been doing ‘2’ for close to 2.5years now, and it still seems to be working; ‘3’ is a definite!; to ‘4’ I’d just add take photos of what interests you, take photos of what you want. 🙂
Thanks ckponderings.
Great tips! I’m pretty much a beginner and u agree with all of them.
Thank you 🙂
Hello Gavin,
It is the eye which “makes” the picture, what we have in hand (telephone, more or less sophisticated case, simple or expensive objectives and allowing other views), are only the tools which we use.
It is not that we have a device and of the material wonderful and cheep matérial that we make good pictures and better than the people who don’t have mony and possibility tho have that
Everybody knows that Photoshop or other software of alteration retouch allows to resume any failed photo, but it is the often worse than before and it is no more photo;-)
Nobody will equal ANSEL ADAM who said that the camera was not important
The best thing is to take some pleasure to make it, and when we show them all our pleasure will be passed on transmitted)on the picture which people shall see.
Have a good day Gavin :d
Thank you for your comment.
Cheers, Gavin.
Just 5 years?
Yep 🙂
You learn fast Gavin!!
Thanks Chris. Feels like a gift….
You do have the eye Gavin!
Someone said your move to instagram? WIll you be leaving WP? I hope not! Great post btw. I love #7!!!! 😀
No.
Definitely not.
I joined instagram ages ago, but i only got my fone to work recently.
I love instagram. lots of fun taking shots with a mobile phone.
Cheers, Gavin.
Ah ok whew! Glad you’re still here. :). I’ve never tried Instagram but I hear really great things about it!
It’s a lot of fun….
My phone takes pretty crappy fotos…but it don’t matter. G.
No it really doesn’t as far as I can tell from the instagram photos i’ve seen on my FB page from friends. There’s a look to them which I like. Maybe I should check it out. *shakes in my shoes*
Good advice, Gavin.
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