Guide to Photography

Master the art of photography with this comprehensive 7-step plan. From understanding your camera to building your portfolio, learn the essentials of capturing compelling images.

STEP 1

Understand the Basics of Photography

• Learn key concepts: aperture (f/), shutter speed, ISO, white balance, depth of field, focal length.
• Practice using the exposure triangle (aperture – shutter speed – ISO).
• Experiment with the manual mode (M) to gain full control over your camera.

STEP 2

Get to Know Your Camera

• Read the manual and discover your camera's features.
• Practice with different shooting modes (A/Av, S/Tv, M).
• Try different lenses and understand how they affect perspective and composition.
• Learn the difference between shooting in RAW and JPEG.

STEP 3

Develop an Eye for Composition

• Study composition rules such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry, balance, and framing.
• Analyze photos by experienced photographers to understand why their images work.
• Each week, shoot a series of photos with a specific compositional goal in mind, pay attention to the privacy of your subjects.

STEP 4

Work with Light

• Understand the difference between natural light and artificial light.
• Practice using reflectors, diffusers, and flashes.
• Learn to see and shape light — pay attention to direction, intensity, color temperature, and shadows.
• Experiment with shooting during the golden hour and blue hour.

STEP 5

Post-Processing & Workflow

• Learn to use Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or Capture One.
• Master basic edits: exposure, contrast, color correction, sharpening, cropping.
• Develop your own editing style and consistent workflow.
• Organize your photos in a clear file structure with metadata and tags.

STEP 6

Build a Personal Portfolio

• Select your best work – quality over quantity.
• Show variety (portrait, landscape, street, conceptual, etc.), depending on your focus area.
• Develop a unique personal style or signature.
• Create an online portfolio (Photo(n)).

STEP 7

Reflect, Present & Network

• Regularly ask for feedback from teachers, classmates, or online communities.
• Analyze your progress: what's working well, and what can be improved?
• Participate in photo contests, exhibitions, or collaborations.
• Build a professional network – connect with photographers, models, and designers.
• Keep a photo journal or blog where you note what you learned from each project, which settings you used, and what you want to improve next. This will greatly accelerate your growth.

For further inquiries, please contact:

Mr. Evert Bongers