Photography exercises that can help you become a better photographer

//Photography exercises that can help you become a better photographer

Whether you are a wildlife photography lover, beautiful scenery takes your breath away or snapping people, it might not always possible to get out into the field and practise and improve your skills. That next holiday might still be a couple of months away, but this does not mean that you can’t shoot and become better. By looking at photography exercises for beginners, you too can improve in the comfort of your own home.

‘Practise makes perfect’ is an overused and clichéd phrase, could not be further from the truth. The more you use your camera, the better value you will get from your investment. It’s almost like going for camera lessons, or photography classes, but without having to pay for it. It is actually very easy to create your own photography exercises.

 

Shoot what’s around you

Shoot what’s around you: You can become a better photographer by shooting what is around you, whether in the garden or in your house

 

Photography exercises help you look at things differently

This is the perfect photography assignment for beginners. Walk around the house and find a subject, whether a piece of fruit or an interesting décor item. Shoot it from different angles. You can even change this photography exercise a little by shooting the same object for a few days in a row, but with the aim to get different results.

 

Everyday objects

Everyday objects: I have an obsession with tennis, and decided to embark on a photoshoot on the tennis court. This assignment for beginners is a great way to create something out of nothing

 

Shoot moving objects

This photography exercise will teach you about shutter speed, anticipation and timing. Whether you choose an energetic child, Ruphus the family dog, wild birds in your garden, or someone jogging down the road, these are perfect subjects to perfect your skills. Play around with the light, shutter speed and composition and eventually you will get perfect images without having to fiddle with every setting on your camera.

 

Bird in flight

Bird in flight: Shoot moving objects. It can be anything from the family dog to the birds in yoru garden.

 

Create a shooting list

By far, the ideal photography assignment for beginners: Start by drawing up a list with different topics for each day. Add words such as dirt, trees, water, sun, spouse, candle, fork or bed. The only limit is your imagination, so go wild. Throw them in a hat. The idea is to draw one every day, or whenever you have time, and shoot the subject on the piece of paper. This way you harness your creativity fully. As you do so, you will be amazed at the results of your photography assignment.

 

Get connected

Get inspiration from the professionals and work on your shortcomings. When struggling with something, Youtube and other online platforms are perfect. With countless tutorials available, one click is all it takes. Secondly, photo sharing sites are great. I make a habit spending time on SlickPic (www.slickpic.com). This photo storage and sharing site is a great showcase of professional work and one can spend hours exploring – looking at what works, and where photos could be improved.

 

Change genres

You might have your specialities, but it is always good getting out of your comfort zone. Shoot the people in the house, or head outdoors and look for those crawling insects in the garden. Different genres might come with different challenges, and this is what will make you an even better photographer. Experimentation is good, so keep an open mind.

 

Bugs in the garden

Bugs in the garden: This photography exercise for beginners will challenge you to do different things. I headed outside, sat down next to some plants, and looked at what I could find.

 

These are just some photography exercises to try, but the possibilities are endless. At the end of the day, practising in your own time at home will give you the opportunity to learn what your equipment is capable of, what the limitations are and how to get around those. Never stop shooting!

 

By |2017-06-28T00:51:20-08:00June 28th, 2017|Categories: How-to Tips|3 Comments

About the Author:

René de Klerk is a journalist for a conservation publication in South Africa. As part of her work, she travels to South Africa’s National Parks where she also gets to practice her photography skills. She is at her happiest outdoors and as a result will never pass an opportunity to spend time in nature.