Easy Ways to Learn Photography Basics

This article is the first (of many) intended to help learn photography basics and provide updated photographic news, along with tips and techniques. I’ve created a “Photography Resources” page with frequently updated content as a reference to support the articles.

Why Was the Photography Resource Page Created?

The Photography Resources page is an informational and functional tool, a place to learn and apply the tips, and techniques. After hearing an unfortunate conversation, the concept started. The person sadly described their wish to have taken photos of a loved one before they died.

As I sat there in a coffee shop, two women were at a table close to me; the woman telling her story faced my direction and I could read her regret. She described losing both parents. Her friend tried to comfort her and suggested she pull out old photo albums.

“That’s the problem,” she said. “I don’t have photos. We lost what we had in a flood years ago. It’s like they exist anymore.” As the woman sunk lower into her chair, tears flowed.

I believe that conversation prompted me to plan the Photography Resources page. Maybe that might motivate someone to learn photography basics and apply them.

Can Anyone Learn Photography?

I believe so. The book, “The Blind Photographer” shows the creative spirit lives within us. I remember back in the early 1970s when I bought my first 35mm camera, the Yashica TL-Electro. I didn’t know what I was doing with it at first. Yet, with a film camera, you learn or go broke.

Nowadays, digital cameras make it easy with the built-in monitor to see if you got right or not. If I can go from not knowing which end to look into the camera to shooting as a professional for over 40-years, you can too.

The first photo page built on this site was the “5 Best Digital Cameras” review. Look and see how technology has grown in the photography market, and how cameras today are an important part of our world for both still photography and video capture for YouTube vloggers.

What Can Prevent a Person From Learning Photography?

Over the years, it’s not uncommon to hear someone say, “I wish I could take photos like that.” Knowing how I went from a newbie to later working on stage with top country music stars, it’s easy to ask, “What’s preventing you from taking great photos?”

The answer often comes down to confidence, knowledge, time, money and sometimes, willingness to try. Some people have other interests and that’s okay.

What’s the Benefit of Learning Photography?

Earlier, we looked at the story of the woman that lost her parents. We often get caught up in life and mistakenly assume nothing could ever happen and dismiss it. When you capture family memories to pass down to your children, and children’s children, you are capturing your family’s legacy.

Another benefit is that creative endeavors strengthen your cognitive and creative abilities. If you have children or grandkids, imagine the value of giving them the gift of creative thought.

Many years ago, when I worked in a federal law enforcement capacity, I used to tell my investigators that it was important that they have a creative outlet. There were two reasons:

1. It was a mental shift away from the job, and it eased stress.
2. When building creative skills, they would not pursue each investigative case in the same way. Being more creative at home strengthens your creative skills at work.
3. There’s a lot of value when you can create something unique to you. Every photo you shoot is a moment in time that no one will ever capture again.

Where Can You Learn Photography Basics?

With a digital camera, you’re not burning up film or paying processing fees. Digital cameras each has a built-in monitor to see what worked and what didn’t. The first, and likely most valuable, is getting out there and learning the camera.

Two great resources I highly recommend are Kelby One, and taking advantage of the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography special. Through this link, you can get both Photoshop and Lightroom for only $9.99. When the software updates, you get it with no other fees.

Why is This Important?

Years ago, before the Creative Cloud, the cost of Photoshop was $600. It came in the mail on discs and within a year; it was out of date. That also did not include Lightroom. This is a great deal. You also get access to all the Adobe tools (if you want), and it includes 20 GB of Cloud Memory for your photos. To take advantage of the Adobe Photo special, just click the banner below.

KelbyOne gives some of the best training I’ve seen on just about any type of photography that might interest you, from architecture to drone photography, to landscapes to portraits… you name it. They have a growing suite of Photoshop and Lightroom tutorials.

I’ve been a member of them for about 10-years now. They began as the National Association of Photoshop Professionals and they’ve continued to expand. To take advantage of the great training and resources at KelbyOne, click their link.

Disclaimer: In all honesty, I have to say that the links I’ve provided are affiliate links. I have partnered with those tools and organizations that I actually use and believe in. When a person makes a purchase, I earn a small commission at no cost to you.

What Would You Like to See Covered Here?

As I work through my content planning for resources to help with learning photography basics, it would help to hear from you. What would you like to see covered here in an upcoming article? Please leave me a comment and I’ll add it to the content calendar.

Currently, the content publishing plan includes over 40 different types of photo equipment & accessories, training resources, photo editing, supporting graphic arts software, and demonstration articles for photography technique.