From Photography Beginner to Pro, FAST!

I’m so excited you're here today, especially if you’re new to photography and unsure where to start.

Today, you’ll learn five easy steps to help you transform from a beginner into a photographer who creates stunning images like a pro.

Whether it's understanding your camera settings or mastering composition, I've got you covered!

If you’re ready… let’s do it!

From my first roll of film in 1989!

Step 1

I don’t know about you, but when I bought my first camera, I couldn’t wait to start shooting… how ‘bout you?

Well, that’s exactly the same mistake I made in 1989 when I decided to create some portraits of my sister… and here’s that very first image.

Okay, this is a total failure, am I right?

It’s way overexposed because I didn’t understand how to use my camera properly.

If your first camera is digital and you used Auto Mode or Program Mode, you probably had a better start than I did.

However, regardless of your experience, the first step to creating amazing photos is to… drum roll, please… read your camera manual.

I know… I know… it’s not the most thrilling read, but it’s essential.

If reading isn’t your thing, don’t worry—there are plenty of tutorials on my YouTube channel and others that can help you out.

Mastering your camera is crucial because it’s not the gear that makes amazing photos—it’s how you use it.

So, you’ll need to master your camera’s features and limitations, and you’ll be on your way to creating images you’ll be proud of and that will impress family and friends.

To get you started right away, here are some pro tips:

For portraits of people or pets, use Aperture Priority mode (Av or A) and set your Aperture to the lowest number, like 1.8, 2.8, or whatever the smallest number for your lens is.

This will blur the background just like the pros do.

For landscapes: Stay in Aperture Priority mode, but set your Aperture to f/11 to keep the foreground and background in sharp focus.

For action shots (sports or wildlife): Switch to Shutter Priority mode (S) and set your shutter speed to 1/500 of a second or faster to freeze the motion.

Keep in mind these are general tips to get you started. Click here for more detailed settings and photo cheat sheets.

Step 2

Next, Mastering light. Light is crucial for creating stunning images that you'll be proud of and will impress everyone who sees them.

While many photographers will tell you that composition is key to great photography—and it definitely is—I believe light plays an even more critical role.

That’s why I’ve made it the second essential ingredient for amazing photos, and I’ll show you why with two examples.

Here’s a recent shot I created with an excellent composition featuring layers, leading lines, and more.

It’s a good image, but check out this other photo with the same composition.

The difference is striking, and it’s all due to the ‘color of light.’

This image, which I created just three minutes after sunrise, benefits from the softer, more dynamic light compared to the harsher light in the first image, which was shot two hours after sunrise.

The fall colors enhance the scene, but the timing and quality of the light make the second image stand out.

To truly understand how to harness light, you must learn its four key characteristics and three main behaviors.

For a deeper dive into these seven essential aspects of mastering light, check out this article.

Step 3

The next step in your photographic journey is all about mastering composition.

With over 30 different composition techniques and rules, your images can improve instantly.

But I have some good news and some bad news.

Mastering Composition and Light, for that matter, isn’t something you’ll do overnight. It will take time and practice.

The good news is that I’ve created a Composition Made Easy system that makes creating amazing images super-duper easy.

Step 4

Okay, you’ve created some photos and downloaded them to your computer. The next step is to edit them.

Just like with composition and light, editing is a skill that won’t be easily mastered overnight.

First, you must try different software to see what works best for you and experiment with various settings to discover your unique style.

You can also leverage AI technology to automagically edit your images or use presets.

Presets are pre-saved settings that can instantly transform photos with just one click.

You can also tweak those settings to fine-tune your images and save your custom edits as new presets.

To help you get started, I’ve included some YouTube playlists in the description for learning more about editing, along with a link to some free presets.

Step 5

This next step is a bit of a secret and comes with a warning—it can dramatically speed up your learning curve or make things more challenging and frustrating if you're not careful.

It's common to join Facebook photography groups to share your work and learn from others.

But remember, not all advice is created equal.

You don't always know the experience level of those giving feedback; they could be beginners like you or even experienced photographers who, without meaning to, might give you misleading advice.

So, what should you do?

If you’re seeking feedback, take it with a grain of salt and always look for a second or third opinion.

Verify any information you receive with your own research.

Or, better yet, join a photography community monitored by professionals, which will ensure that the advice you receive is accurate and helpful.

And here’s the good news—I’ve got just the place for you!

Join my photography community, where friendly experts provide guidance that can instantly boost your skills.

You’ll find the link to join in the description below.

However, before you go, there’s one problem left.

What should you learn next?

Well, I recommend watching this video next to master your camera settings or this one to master composition to create amazing photos.