Photography is not only a fun and fulfilling hobby, it is also a viable career option. While on the surface, photography may seem as simple as pointing your camera at your subject and pressing a button, the act is more complex than that. If you are serious about pursuing photography as your career of choice, there are some things you should keep in mind as you begin. With the right knowledge under your belt, you will be able to pursue your goals with confidence and clarity, allowing yourself a more rewarding result. This article will offer some beginners’ tips that will set you on the way for a fulfilling career in photography.
Knowing the Best Format to Save Your Photos
Websites dedicated to sharing images such as Instagram, as well as social media sites, have now become mainstream and among the main ways in which images are shared. Such websites are also among the most viable ways of getting your portfolio out to potential employers. If you do plan on sharing your photos digitally, you will need to know the best file format to save your photographs. Your best option in this case is to save your photos as TIF files. You may ask, “what is a TIF file?” You also may be curious as to why a TIF file is your best option. To answer both questions, a TIF file, or Tagged Image File, is a file that preserves the quality of your photograph when shared and printed. Other file types tend to lessen the image quality when saved, whereas TIF files display the photos in the quality as they appear on your camera. This makes the TIF file type an ideal candidate for graphic designers and photographers who want to maintain the highest-quality images when sharing them in both physical and digital forms.
Understanding Your Camera
While smartphones are rapidly approaching the standards of professional photography, you may feel more confident with a traditional camera. For a professional-quality picture, you will want to make sure you understand your camera, both in how it works, and in how to take the best, high-quality shots of which your camera is capable. Take time to research how cameras work, the features and functions of the camera itself, which camera is best for the kind of photography you wish to pursue, and basic shot composition. Photography is more complex than just taking a picture of what is in front of you. However, with enough practice and research in regards to your camera and surroundings, you will soon find taking your shots becoming nearly effortless. Find what works best for you and you will be taking professional shots in no time.
Finding What you Need
While the camera is obviously the most important tool when it comes to photography, you will need more tools to assure your requirements are met in regards to taking the best shots. The camera is just the first step; you will also require lenses and editing software, one for taking a variety of shots, and the other for editing and saving your photographs on your computer. Of course, much like understanding the camera itself, you will also benefit from researching what lenses and software will work best for you. Think about the kinds of photographs you plan on taking and research accordingly, as the world of photography is a vast one with many possibilities. In addition to lenses and software, you can also look into other optional tools. This includes a tripod for setting up shots, a memory cards or flash drives, and a carrying case for your camera. Again, think about your goals and plan towards your needs.
With these three basic steps, you will be on your way to taking photos and building up a portfolio. From there, you can make your work public and look for potential job opportunities with your work. With the right tools and the right mindset, a fulfilling career will await you.
BIO: Paisley Hansen is a freelance writer and expert in health, fitness, beauty, and fashion. When she isn’t writing she can usually be found reading a good book or hitting the gym.