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I am going to write about how I am learning to master photography. Let me share my resources how I am learning.

Part 1 - introduction how I learn

Learning how to photograph is not very difficult, mastering is. I am working to become a master in my style. Watching to other photographers can be painful — the quality they produce or how they see those indispensable moments. I have the same feeling from time to time, but most importantly, I try to use these amazing photos as a source for new inspiration.

So let me tell you how I did learn photography and how I learn new skills.

I started with thinking about the style of photography in the first place. I did some research, and I chose to start with street photography. I followed a workshop from a reputable FujiFilm photographer to get a jumpstart. I have written a blog post about this workshop and what I have learned.

Blog: Fujifilm Street photography workshop (Ian MacDonald)

After the training of Ian MacDonald, I had the basic knowledge of how to do street photography and how to use my camera. During my first sessions on the street, you need to get comfortable in getting close to people, the more classical style of street photography. The person or situation is the subject. Another form of street photography is the abstract style. The person is part of the image, most of the time not recognizable. The element of light and shadow can also be essential in this style of street photography.

Let me show you the differences between the two styles:

As you can see, I shoot both, and I like to do that. The choice of style can be changing due to the weather condition or the situation of the light; it might be even my mood. The choice of the lens can help you with creating another style for instance 18-55mm. Using a lens with zoom capabilities can help you with creating layers in your photo. It is much easier to have the foreground blurred. It is also possible with 23mm lens, but you have to work harder or to put more effort during the editing process. I am using the FujiFilm X100F with 23mm lens (35mm equivalent due to the size of the sensor).

My first months on the street were the more classic style, because I need to train my eyes and trying, make a lot of photo’s and learn how to edit the photos. These days I am trying to look for:

  • shadows
  • reflections
  • silhouettes
    • bright lightsources,
    • opaque windows or walls
  • frames
    • A frame in de background
    • Through an object to create a frame
  • lines
    • Which visible and unvisible lines can you detect, what is the cohesion or counterpart
  • Movement
    • People
  • Contrast
    • Light and dark
    • Moving and still
    • Situation
    • Environment
    • People and surrounding
    • Old and new
    • Lines and curves
    • Clear and blurry

Learning photography is by doing and use your eyes to “see” the result on a particular spot. How I am doing this? How do I train myself? I had the same question and I needed some inspiration.

I have a couple of sources to submerge myself for inspiration or learn technical skills:

  1. Youtube (technical/inspirational)
    1. Technical tutorial videos
    2. Inspirational videos
    3. Photo review videos
    4. workflows
  2. Pinterest
    1. quick tips(pins) supported with an image
    2. create boards with these pins to recall them very quickly when needed
    3. also very interesting to regularly refresh some knowledge
    4. creating ideas for a photoshoot or location
  3. Instagram
    1. Find photographers who inspire you
    2. Follow interesting tags.

Let me share your links of my resources. I must say, Youtube is king to learn skills, technology and also workflows to work faster and better.

While I am learning new insights and skills, I open my eyes and see there are other styles of photography I might like doing.

In my next blog, I will start with youtube and take you to my favorite videos and subscriptions to inspire you.

Go to part 2

How do I learn (street) photography part 2 - YouTube (20 tips)

Part 2 - Youtube

In this part, I will share lots of links to video's I use to educate myself. 

 

Go to part 2

Summarizing:

This is part one of how I learn photography for particular styles. I love to be on the streets and do a more artistic form of photography. I love to take portraits of people with nautral light and I am working towards more urban photoshoots.

I learn a lot from youtube and try to use this when I am photographing. It is still keep on shooting to become a better and better photographer.

The next part will about Pinterest what I am using to get inspiration on a whole different level.

Thank you for reading and I hope to see you back soon!

All the best,

Stefan


Stefan Burgerhout
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