Avoiding Amateur Photography Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, but amateur photography means documenting your errors for the world to see. We all want to take great pictures, so why does it take so many tries to get that perfect shot? And what went wrong with all our other efforts?

Fortunately, there are a number of all-too-common amateur photography mistakes you can avoid. That way, every shot has the chance to turn out perfectly. Overcoming photography mistakes takes a bit of practice; so don't worry if your eye isn't ready to correct your images at this very second. Just take your time, and keep these mistakes in the back of your mind so you can avoid making them.

1. Only considering the subject

When people take a photograph, they tend to focus on a single subject: a person, an animal, or even a thing. That is the subject of their photograph -- what the photograph is all about. And it's definitely true that you need to have an interesting subject to have an interesting photograph.

So why is this considered one of the big amateur photography mistakes? Because all too often, people think that since the subject looks okay -- it's clear, in focus, and looks great -- the photograph will turn out perfectly. But a photograph is more than a subject. If your background isn't contributing to the shot in any way, then no matter how great your subject is, it's still not going to be the best photograph it could be.

2. Failing to consider the lighting of the shot

If you're into amateur photography, you're probably sick and tired of hearing about photography mistakes that involve light: not enough, or too much, or the wrong quality. But there's a reason professional photographers place so much emphasis on lighting. It can literally make or break your shot.

When you look at the light, you have to consider what it does to your subject AND to the overall photograph. If you want a prime example, think about where you'd rather photograph a model: under harsh fluorescent lighting, in bright sunlight, or in a brightly lit room. That example makes it extremely clear what a difference light can make in terms of subject and overall presentation.

3. Failing to consider color

Color is an incredibly important aspect of any photograph, but so many photographers don't realize that even a tiny shift in your position can make a huge difference in the brightness and hues your camera picks up. Don't make this most common of amateur photography mistakes. Instead, take a moment to shift around, to view your subject from different angles, and to really consider what the colors look like from each one.

If you can avoid these common mistakes, you'll have taken huge steps toward making each shot the picture of your dreams. For these and more tips on amateur photography from master photographer Rob Sheppard, check out 7photographyquestions.com!