Just as an oven doesn't bake the tasty cake; a baker does.
Just as a pen doesn't write a great book; the writer does.
Just as a camera doesn't take an exceptional photo; the photographer does.
Buying a bigger and better camera will not make you a better photographer in any way. You see, it's more about the skills you have, not the tools you use. In fact, you'll find as you progress that you'll develop a certain annoyance when someone accidentally compliments your camera instead of you as a photographer.
So what skills do we need to develop and practice to become the great photographer we all want to be? Well knowing these things will give you all the reasons that you don't need a fancy camera.
1. Composition
It may seem obvious, but understanding composition is crucial. This may feel natural to you, but it is still important that you know what makes a great photograph. Study the basics of composition such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, depth etc. The more time you spend analyzing other photos and your own photos the better.2. Lighting
Perhaps the most essential of them all is understanding lighting and how it affects a photograph. Study the different types of natural light and learn how to shoot in all of them. Most importantly learn how to control light and manipulate it into doing what you want. For example learning how to use reflectors, diffusers or how to take a backlit photo. Another crucial point is that lighting is also about shadows, learn how they help create shape and affect subjects.
3. Know Your Gear
No matter what you are shooting with it is important that you know your equipment inside out. The more you understand how your camera works and what the different functions do the more creative you can get and the better you can control situations. Learn how to shoot on manual mode and be able to change settings quickly.4. Basic Editing
Having even just basic editing skills can help elevate your photos from good to fantastic. Learn how to fix exposure, fix colouring or white balance, lift shadows, create contrast and effectively crop. I suggest learning Lightroom for beginners.
5. Have Passion
Okay so this isn't exactly a skill you can learn, but having a passion for what you are shooting and a genuine interest can go a long way. Start shooting emotion, get involved with the things you care about and shoot what piques your interest. The more passionate you are about what you are shooting, the better your photos will be.There you have it, our 5 Reasons You Don't Need a Fancy Camera.
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