Before starting, it should be noted that when you are a photographer, learning is a continuous and never-ending process. So I could have called this article "how to progress in photography" for example, because even if you are already doing well, you can still improve.
It is of course possible to learn photography on a specialized online platform to make it a profession. But for all those who do not want to go through the study box, or who want to learn photography while remaining an amateur, there are plenty of other possibilities for learning photography. Here are a few.
1. PRACTICE
I've said it all over and over on this blog before, but I'm going to write it again: to progress, you have to practice!
This is one of the reasons I love street photography so much. If I have an hour ahead of me, all I have to do is grab my camera, get out of my house, and stroll around looking for my next photo. And with every ride, I learn. I am learning to control my device even more thoroughly. I am learning to make the best use of light. I learn to anticipate the reaction of passers-by. And when I get home, I learn to edit my photos. To practice is to learn. And this is by far the best way.
Learning new photographic techniques on a blog or in a book is great, but if you don't put it into practice immediately afterward it doesn't help much. Human memory is made that way, it does not retain what it does not need. If you read an article that gives tips on how to take great portraits and in the process you don't try to apply its tips, you will soon forget everything. So call a girlfriend and go to a park to do some portraits! Who would say no to a session with a friend if in addition at the end you offer him beautiful photos for his Facebook profile?
But sometimes that’s easier said than done. Each photographer, from beginner to advanced, goes through periods of less inspiration. Those times when nothing seems to be interesting enough to become the subject of your next photo. Suddenly, your device remains in a cabinet to collect dust, and you do not progress.
I have a few quick tips to help you practice even when inspiration (and motivation sometimes) is lacking.
Do exercises.
Imposing simple rules for a given time can be a great way to boost your creativity. This is something I do very often, and I find it so effective that I have compiled 12 of these exercises into an eBook that you can receive for free by clicking here. If you do all 12 exercises in 12 weeks, I guarantee you will have progressed in photography, regardless of your current level.
Getting out of your comfort zone is also a way to bring back inspiration when it is lacking. Do you feel like you're going around in circles and doing the same thing all the time? It may be true. If you're a street photographer, post a classified ad on Facebook to find yourself a model and do a portrait session. If you only swear by the scenery, force yourself to wander around town and take architectural photos. Trying yourself in an area you don't know or are uncomfortable with will introduce you to new facets of photographic practice.
2. MEET OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS
I dramatically increased the pace of my photography training when I started hanging out with other photographers, for a number of reasons. First of all, showing your work to other photographers gives it a far more constructive opinion than that of your mother or wife who thinks everything you do is great anyway. Sometimes what you are doing is not that great, or even downright bad, and you need someone to tell you that. Nothing better for this than another photographer!
Accepting criticism is not easy. But it is really a necessary step in order to progress.
I remember the time I presented a photo that I liked to a group of photographers and they all agreed that it was a trivial, uninspiring vacation photo. I was quite upset at the time. But I ended up accepting the facts (it was very true ) and the next month I went above and beyond to create some great photos. And this time they loved it. Criticism had forced me to question myself, and most of all had pushed me to take better photos.
A good idea for meeting other photographers is to join a photo club. There are all kinds of them everywhere.
If you can't find one near you, create it! Post an ad on Facebook Photo Groups to find photographers in your area, then organize activities. These can be photo outings organized each time by a different member, critical evenings, friendly competitions on imposed themes, joint rental of a studio, etc.
Being part of a group creates a strong synergy and is very motivating. Friendly competition, if used well, can really pull us up.
3. TRAIN
To learn, you have to train! If we always rely on ourselves, we will end up stagnating. Training allows you to discover new techniques, new points of view. You can of course read articles online for that, which is what you are doing right now. Look for articles on specific topics that interest you or just browse around. If you are more “paper”, there are of course the photo books. You can read books by photographers recognized for their work and their educational qualities (such as the bestseller Compose, adjust, trigger! The step-by-step photo by Anne-Laure Jacquard).
For those who do not like to read, some blogs offer paid video training intended mainly for beginners, You can find a bit of everything on the internet, there are some very good and some really bad, find out before you buy blindness! But above all, you can take it to the next level and participate in a Workshop.
A Workshop is a workshop led by one or more photographers, in which a subject is studied in depth in a small group. They allow you to practice on a specific subject ("the nude in the studio" for example), taking advantage of the advice of an experienced photographer, and above all the possibility of seeing him do it and asking him all the questions you want.
There are Workshops on just about everything (portrait, wedding photo, street photo, etc.). Many renowned photographers regularly offer them. So if you particularly admire the work of a photographer, find out if he or she does not just happen to organize Workshops. The only downside is that these workshops are usually not given ... But think about it the next time you want to buy yourself some gear because a new lens will not make you a better photographer, whereas a Workshop will!
4. CULTIVATE YOURSELF
It's one thing to know your camera inside out, it's another to take great photos! Having ideas, exercising your eye, improving your composition, all of this can be worked on but cannot be learned in a textbook. For me, the best way to improve the artistic aspect of your photographic practice is by cultivating yourself. By looking at the work of other photographers, and in particular "masters". To help you out, I am building a list of great photographers whose work deserves to be known.
Browse the websites dedicated to them, buy or borrow books, watch documentaries on them. Every time I discover a new photographer that I did not know, I have the impression that a new world is offered to me, a universe seen with new eyes. And there is no doubt that the contemplation of these portfolios influences my work as a photographer and makes me progress. There are the great recognized photographers of course, but there are also the others. And just because an artist isn't recognized worldwide doesn't mean he's not talented! For inspiration, nothing better than taking a look at what other photographers like us, amateurs, and strangers are doing, but often full of ideas. We are a lucky generation, today the work of thousands of photographers (known and unknown) is available for free online. This is a fabulous opportunity to cultivate ourselves, to inspire us. There are loads of talented photographers out there who just want to show off their work, you just have to find them.
That's why I really like the Flickr site. It's a photo-sharing site that allows you to follow photographers and be followed. You can put photos in your favorites and access the gallery composed only of your favorite photos. You can also join groups to see photos on a specific theme or photos taken with specific equipment. There are some really great photos on Flickr, and every day the site pulls out a ranking of the top 500 photos of the day called Explore. I really like to stroll there, for inspiration but also more simply for the pleasure of looking at beautiful photos.
Finally, let's not forget the more traditional ways of seeing beautiful things: photo exhibitions (if you live in a big city, there are a lot of them and it's very often free or very inexpensive!), Books ( Last year I was offered Errance and Happy Solitude by Raymond DE pardon, they are really very good books with superb photos) or even comics (I am thinking in particular of the comic book Le Photographer by Guibert and Lefèvre which combines a true and fascinating story, drawings that I like a lot, and photos of great force. A must-read). Whatever style you like, find out about the reference books in this photography expertise and arrange to read them. If you can't buy them (which is understandable given the price of some photo books…) ask your library if it might be a good investment! I will soon be releasing an article with a list of reference photo books for those interested.
These are, in my opinion, the 4 main ways to learn photography: practice, meet other photographers, train & learn.
My advice to me is to do all of that a little bit. To mix the pleasures, not to get bored, and above all to become a better photographer. Because each possibility offers advantages that the others do not. You won't remember the same from a Workshop or reading a blog post, even if they are on the same topic. And meeting other photographers to subject your work to criticism will always be beneficial, no matter your level.