Photography for beginners: 20 tips & tricks

New to the world of photography? It’s an exciting and fun-filled time to try out all sorts and find a photographic style you love!

Whether you own a smartphone or DSLR camera, anyone can be a photographer these days. From learning how to take a good selfie to photographing others, the goal of this guide is to help you get started, and learn everything you need to know as a beginner in photography. Read on to find out our top photography tips for beginners, helpful tricks and advice.

1. Get started with the right camera

Point & shoot cameras are compact, affordable and easy to use. Many offer zoom lenses, image stabilisation, and automatic modes. This makes them a great starter camera. However, they have smaller sensors and lack manual controls. Image quality won't be as good as a DSLR, especially in challenging light. Still, point & shoots are lightweight, user-friendly and can teach you photography fundamentals.

Film cameras, including Instax cameras and disposable cameras, use film to run. Think of 35mm film you used to use as a child and get developed at your local Max Spielmann store. They’re incredibly helpful for teaching you the basics of exposure, and with limited shots, they can train you to take your time when you try to frame the perfect shot.

Mirrorless cameras are nothing new in photography these days. Essentially, mirrorless cameras capture images without the use of a mirror in the camera body (that a DSLR uses). Everything is digital and this allows you to view your photos in real time on the screen or EVF (electronic viewfinder). They’re generally far more compact than DSLRs, but due to the many moving parts, they can be more expensive to purchase - especially if you’re just starting out.

DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras allow you to change lenses and offer full manual controls. This makes them the most versatile and customisable choice. DSLRs have large image sensors that produce higher-quality photos, especially in low light. The downside is they can be bulky, complex for beginners, and more expensive. Still, their image quality and flexibility make DSLRs the best choice if you're serious about photography.

2. Learn the basics

The three main camera settings (also known as the “exposure triangle”) are aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Mastering these settings gives you control over the look of your photos.

The aperture is the size of the opening in the lens that allows light into the camera. You’ll see this noted with an f (focal length), and the rise and fall of this is known as an f-stop. The larger the f-stop number, the smaller the aperture, meaning less light is available, but the overall image will be far more focused. 

So why is this important? Aperture affects something known as depth of field. Images shot with a large aperture (a low f-stop number) will have a shallow depth of field (the distance between the nearest and the furthest objects giving a focused image). However, images shot with a small aperture (high f-stop number) will have a large depth of field. 

The shutter speed determines how long the camera sensor is exposed to light. It is measured in fractions of a second - for example, 1/60th or 1/250th of a second. A fast shutter speed can freeze motion, while a slow shutter speed will blur motion, which can make for some really cool effects. A tripod is recommended when using slow shutter speeds to allow more light in but keep an image in focus. Whilst it may make more sense to just keep your shutter speed as high as you can, remember that the image will be exposed to the slightest bit of light. It can take a bit of trial and error to get this right though, so don’t be disheartened!

The ISO (International Standards Organisation) determines how sensitive the camera sensor is to the lighting available. It is measured in numerical values - common values are 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 (and so forth), with some cameras able to go as low as 50 ISO. A lower ISO requires more light but produces a cleaner image. A higher ISO requires less light but produces more image noise. However, with modern technology, you can use generative AI to clean up noise! Just note that this can make edges and details “smooth” as opposed to crisp.

The rule of thirds is one of the most common fundamental composition guidelines. To use it, mentally divide your frame into thirds vertically and horizontally (some cameras and smartphones allow you to add lines in their settings!). The intersections of those lines are ideal spots to position important elements like your subject's eyes or the horizon. You can play about with this though, as there aren’t “set rules” in image-making - placing subjects off-centre makes the image more dynamic, whereas symmetry can be aesthetically pleasing.

Leading lines draw the viewer's eye into the image. Think long stretches of roads, fences, train tracks, and coastlines. Position your subject where the lines converge for a bold composition. Or let the lines direct attention across the frame in a horizontal image.

Framing involves using objects in the foreground to frame the main subject. Trees, arches, windows, and doorways naturally form frames. Frames give images a sense of depth and perspective. 

Negative or empty space around the main subject brings the focus to it. Capture expansive skies, open fields, large walls, or other uncomplicated backgrounds. The empty areas let the subject stand out while creating a sense of openness. This is great if you’re after a minimal, clean look.

Most beginner photographers start by using auto mode, which allows the camera to automatically choose settings like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and more. This is fine when you're just starting out, but you'll quickly hit limitations. 

Switching to manual mode gives you full control over all of the camera’s settings. This allows you to make deliberate creative choices and have more influence over your final image. Manual mode takes some practice but is worth learning. Start by changing just one setting at a time, like aperture or shutter speed, while leaving the rest in auto. This can allow you to really understand how one setting affects the other.

Understanding focus modes allows you to control which part of your image will be in sharp focus. Some common modes include:

• Single Auto Focus - Focus locks when the shutter is half-pressed. This is ideal when your subject is still, or has minimal movement
• Continuous Auto Focus - Focus adjusts if the subject moves. Better for action shots.  
• Manual Focus - Set focus yourself by adjusting the focus ring on your lens. Useful in low light or other tricky conditions.

White balance controls the colour temperature of your photos. Again, most beginners use auto white balance and get pretty decent results. However, learning to adjust the white balance manually can improve your photos by creating warmer or cooler tones - depending on your preference and desired effect.

Try switching to manual white balance and experimenting with different presets for common lighting like sunlight, shade, cloudy, tungsten, and fluorescent. Some cameras even allow you to dial in a custom white balance for mixed or unusual lighting situations.

7. Check settings before and during shoots

Prime lenses have a fixed focal length, meaning they don't zoom. This is an advantage as they offer outstanding sharpness and faster apertures like f/1.8,  f/1.4 and even f/1.2 - these allow more light in and blurred backgrounds. Common primes for beginners are 50mm (AKA the “nifty fifty”) and 35mm. They teach you to zoom in with your feet and take creative control.

Zoom lenses allow you to change the focal length and angle of view without moving. They provide great versatility for everything from landscapes to portraits. Some good starter zoom lenses are 24-70mm, though some have even smaller ranges from 16-35, which give you the flexibility to shoot both wider and cropped in.

Telephoto lenses have long focal lengths over 85mm. They can magnify subjects at far greater distances and are more suitable for wildlife, sports, arenas and other distant scenes. Telephotos like 70-300mm or 100-400mm, combined with image stabilisation, allow you to handhold at slower shutter speeds. 

Learning to take sharp, blur-free photos at the beginning of your photography learning is incredibly important. And whilst you could be the most still photographer out there, there will always be a situation where you’ll need a helping hand to minimise camera shake. Here are some options to consider:

A tripod stabilises your camera and vastly reduces blur from hand shake. It's also an essential piece of kit for low-light and long-exposure photography. Tripods come in a range of sizes, materials, and price points. Whilst we don’t recommend forking out heavily at this stage, you’ll want to make sure the tripod you do purchase can support the load of both your camera and lens. 

If you’re choosing to shoot on your phone, you’ll need to make sure the tripod can stand tall enough, and have a suitable grip and mount for your particular smartphone model.

Monopods provide stabilisation just like tripods, but only have a single leg. They're easier to carry and move around with and are great for getting action shots from sports and wildlife. 

Many lenses and camera bodies now feature optical stabilisation technology. In the case of lenses, some variations may or may not include it, which can affect the price. In simple terms, it detects and corrects for camera shake by moving lens or sensor elements, allowing you to shoot at slower shutter speeds without blur. Image stabilisation is useful for handheld shooting in low light or when using longer focal lengths. It works best combined with a good handholding technique. 

The soft, golden (or often blue) light that floods the early morning hours can truly elevate your photos. This is called Golden Hour - the perfect moments during sunrise and sunset to take photos! It’s sometimes also called magic hour, and is sought-after by many photographers. So get out early to capture this moment in time.

Alternatively, golden hour in the evening provides more saturated, warm tones that can give the subject you intend to capture a more vibrant look. Experiment with both morning and evening light to get the best lighting possible for your photos.

Many people want a photo in front of a landmark or particular subject, which is all good and well when a light source, such as the sun, is illuminating it. However, if you directly face away from a light source, you’ll get silhouettes and undesirable shadows! So when photographing people, try having them face a source of natural light, like a window or the sun. It beautifully illuminates their faces, reduces shadows, and highlights their features.

Filters are a whole other world in photography. But if you’re a photography beginner, we’d recommend investing in a UV lens filter. A UV filter not only protects your lens, but it can reduce the level of UV light entering your camera. This results in crisper images with less haziness, which is especially beneficial when shooting stunning landscapes.

Editing, or post-processing, is an essential part of photography these days, allowing you to transform your raw images into polished masterpieces and works of art. Whilst many beginners are intimidated by editing, it's much simpler than you think. The basic workflow involves importing your photos into editing software, applying global adjustments and local adjustments, and exporting a final image in your desired format (this is most commonly JPG). 

The most popular options for photo editing software are Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Lightroom offers an easier learning curve for beginners as it's specifically designed for photography post-production. If you choose to move photos to your phone, or shoot directly from your phone, then you can use one of the myriad of photo editing apps out there and test different filters! 

Here is a basic example workflow:

• Import your images and pop them in a folder for easy sorting.
• Choose which photos to edit - you may want to apply a rating or “flag”, so you aren’t editing hundreds and thousands of photos.
• Crop your imagery to best show your intended subject(s), paying particular attention to how you want your framing to look.
• Apply basic tonal adjustments like exposure, contrast, whites, blacks, highlights and shadows.
• Sharpen your image or reduce its noise level.
• Apply any filters (optional).
• Export in your desired format.

On a smartphone? Read our guide on how to make photos look vintage on a smartphone by using popular editing apps to achieve this sought-after aesthetic!

Bored of the rule of thirds? Whilst rules are a good starting point, they don’t always have to be followed, so don't be afraid to break them. Experiment and try unconventional angles or compositions - it’ll help you develop your own unique style over time.

Meeting other photographers is one of the best ways to fast-track your skills as a beginner. It can be extremely motivating and educational to meet fellow photography enthusiasts too and go on this exciting journey together. They can provide new perspectives and constructive criticism, and it's a wonderful way to share experiences and grow. Find photographers in local communities and through social media - specifically Instagram and TikTok.

It’s important to study the work of photographers you admire in order to replicate and grow your own knowledge. Draw inspiration from the works of others and study different styles, compositions, and techniques to help you form your distinct style and broaden your understanding of what's possible in photography. With the wealth of knowledge you acquire over time, you can become one of these inspiring photographers others learn from too!

Looking back through your work over time will help you measure how far you’ve come. Even the smallest of setting changes can elevate your work! This will also help you figure out what subjects you enjoy shooting, and the style you wish to work in or pursue in the future.

And there you have it! 20 photography tips and tricks for beginners. For more inspiration, save the Max Spielmann blog in your bookmarks to keep up with all things photography and learn more tips and tricks along the way.