How to be a Better Photographer
One of the most common questions I hear from new photographers is simple and honest:
“How do I get better?”
The internet has no shortage of answers. Some say you need better gear. Others insist you must shoot in RAW. Many suggest switching straight to Manual mode if you’re serious.
Here’s the quieter truth I’ve learned through my own photography journey — and through teaching beginners:
Getting better at photography isn’t about doing everything at once.
It’s about learning a few things well, at the right time.
Let’s talk about what actually helps.
It’s Not the Gear (At Least, Not Yet)
Gear is exciting. New cameras and lenses feel like progress — and sometimes they can support it. But they are almost never the reason someone isn’t improving.
I’ve seen beautiful, compelling photographs made with entry-level cameras, older bodies, and basic kit lenses. I’ve made images I’m genuinely proud of with gear that would never be labeled “professional.”
The most important camera you own is the one you already have.
Instead of asking “What should I buy next?”, try asking:
What does this camera already do well?
What limitations am I actually hitting?
What am I still learning about light, timing, and framing?
When you truly outgrow a piece of gear, you’ll know — not because the internet told you, but because your creative intent outpaces your tools.
(If you’re still early in your journey, you may find my Beginner Camera Buying Guide helpful — especially the sections on ecosystems and buying used.)
Lenses: Tools, Not Status Symbols
New lenses can absolutely open creative doors — but they don’t need to be premium or expensive to do so.
A simple example: if you’re curious about portrait photography, a basic 50mm lens (often called a “nifty fifty”) can teach you an incredible amount about depth of field, subject isolation, and perspective — without a huge investment.
Budget lenses today are remarkably good, especially for learning. They’re sharp, reliable, and forgiving. High-end lenses shine when you already understand why you need them — not before.
When I wanted to explore longer focal lengths for landscapes and nature photography, I could have jumped straight to a top-tier telephoto. Instead, I chose a more modest option that let me experiment, learn, and confirm my interests before spending more.
That lens didn’t magically make my photos better — but it expanded what I could practice. And practice is the real upgrade.
Shooting in RAW (When You’re Ready)
Shooting in RAW often comes up early — sometimes too early.
Here’s the simple version:
RAW files contain more image data
That extra data gives you more flexibility when editing
Especially with exposure, highlights, and color
This can be incredibly powerful — when editing is something you’re ready to engage with.
If you’re curious about RAW but unsure whether it fits your current workflow, I wrote a full article on RAW Readiness that focuses on timing, not pressure. RAW isn’t a requirement. It’s an option.
And importantly:
JPEG isn’t “wrong.”
There are plenty of situations where JPEG makes sense — speed, simplicity, or immediate delivery. What matters is choosing intentionally, not reactively.
Manual Mode Is a Tool — Not a Test
Manual mode has a reputation for being the “serious photographer” setting. That reputation causes a lot of unnecessary stress.
Here’s how I approach it when teaching:
Manual mode isn’t something you graduate into.
It’s something you experiment with.
Learning what aperture, shutter speed, and ISO actually do — and how they interact — gives you confidence. Not because you shoot manual all the time, but because you understand what the camera is doing for you in other modes.
If you’re curious:
Try Manual mode slowly
Change one setting at a time
Observe the result
You don’t need to live there forever. You just need to visit often enough to build intuition.
Photograph Many Things (Even the Ones You Think You Don’t Like)
Photography isn’t one thing. It’s many.
Landscape. Street. Portraits. Night photography. Long exposures. Quiet details. Motion. Stillness.
Early on, it’s incredibly valuable to try widely. Not to become a master of everything — but to discover what pulls you back.
For me, that’s been landscapes and long exposures. I love the way water softens over time, the calm of night scenes, and the quiet patience those images require.
Your interests may be different — and that’s the point.
Exploration sharpens taste.
Taste guides growth.
The One Thing That Always Works: Go Shoot
No article, video, or preset replaces time behind the camera.
The photographers who improve are the ones who:
Go out regularly
Make imperfect images
Reflect on what worked and what didn’t
Try again
When I’m shooting, I often take the same photo multiple times — adjusting one setting at a time. I pay attention to how light changes, how movement affects the scene, how my choices influence the result.
This kind of intentional practice builds confidence faster than chasing perfection ever will.
