Photography is the art of painting with light. No professional studio light is required, but the right angle and time of shooting, when natural light will show its best. You can make great snapshots with mobile phones, having necessary information, hacks and ideas. 

Below are the best ways how to improve photography skills:

  • Take camera always with you
  • Learn new approach and use every moment
  • Read camera manual
  • Must have items: tripod and rain coat
  • Plan the plot, discarding fails
  • Individual style and positive mood

Professionals are used to practicing their photography skills and techniques for years without days off and holidays. Even beginners are able to find the most successful shots in various unexpected situations. This article is going to help you, or at least become a launch of your new career.

1. Have your camera close

Take a camera everywhere you go. Unexpected scenes and moments can happen 24 hours a day, at home, in a shopping mall or parking. Learn to have it with you and make pictures every day. Only practicing one can become a good driver, sculptor or architect. Find time and wish to go on with practice as much as you can. This experience will contribute to your basic skills formation.

2. Start with a feeling

It may seem that the process is too complicated with various technical details. Still, it is always better to understand what is white balance, shutter speed, light metering, exposure, frame and composition.

After you start using some tools, you will find yourself realizing that it is not only about technology, but feelings as well. This art is unique, because everyone can share emotions, experience and feelings with others. If you stay with your eyes closed, it is impossible to make a good picture.

3. Do not waste the moment

This art consists of two large areas — technical and creative. Creative part is fueled by your imagination and creative vision. The technical part is a sequence of buttons pressed, mode selection, setting shooting parameters in order to realize the plot. Creative and technical parts can not exist apart, because they complement each other.

Continue to learn from the surrounding world and all available published and posted materials online about new tricks and techniques. Check art galleries and develop a sophisticated artistic taste, watching work of others and choosing the trend, which describes you most of all. This will influence your everyday life and attitude to ordinary objects and events, which can present numerous options for great images.

4. Learn how to use the camera correctly

You are used to knowing the tastes and characters of people you care of and beloved ones. This is the same situation, when it is necessary to know every button and every setting to be able to capture a cool shot in a second without thinking.

Try small exercises and see if you remember functions of each button with closed eyes:

  • exposure compensation
  • autofocus
  • contrast
  • shutter speed
  • aperture settings

5. Choose a simple approach

Cameras have various settings, which may confuse even the most experienced photographer. To start practicing it is better to choose general settings and keep following these, until you feel secure enough to try other modes or techniques. Basic features to start with are:

  • RAW format
  • Unique metering mode
  • Focus mode and auto focus point
  • Exposure compensation

6. Search it and watch the background

Walking around the architectural city, forest, zoo or park, it is necessary to see in advance the moment which could become an awesome picture. When you finally find it, do not be in a hurry to make hundred shots without thinking of a plot and result. Move around the object and get closer to fill in the frame. Noisy background will destroy the image and require long post-processing editing. If there is no chance to get too close, but it is obviously the best option to improve the image, then you should always have a telephoto lens. With its help you will pretend to be close enough to caption the most detailed scene.

7. Use a tripod to improve your photography

Modern technologies and wish to become famous professionals in one click make most people think that running around with thousand shots is the only way to get the best one. In most cases only patience and a tripod can give you a hand. Stop for a while and try to feel the world around. Put a tripod and discover that it helps you to be calm and thoughtful, having no way to move the lens up and down. Fixed surface can create real magic, when you do not even expect it.

8. Analyze the weather and adapt to it

Weather plays a huge role in photo art. Depending on snow, light, clouds or sun you may win or lose your battle creating the frame. Do not expect that unique shooting mode will be appropriate for all types of environment and get clothes, adapted to any thunderstorm. Every minimal detail is significant, not to get wet or overheated.

9. Learn from fashion critiques

Do not be afraid of some critiques, if you are really looking to increase basic photography skills. There is no way to make it, if not to ask someone's opinion. Analyzing own works can help to discover general errors and to avoid them in future. Publish some pictures online in social networks and see what is going to happen. It is necessary to pay attention to comments and advice by real advanced photo professionals. Find those artists and ask their help.

10. Plan a genius project

Random pictures may surprise with depth and composition, but if you are working hard, plan it. Do not get satisfied with the average snapshot, tell a story with your images. There is a possibility to create an impressive body of work, if you are not going to stop on existing models. It is good to follow the ideas of big artists, but it is time to launch your own trend and share thoughts with the public.

11. Discard snapshots you do not like

When it comes to editing, do not worry, if not every picture is perfect enough to be published or proud of. It is normal for every profession and person. You have to find courage to eliminate all images, which require much editing and retouching work. Otherwise you will spend hours and even days correcting mistakes instead of looking for real diamonds among other pictures. Choose only those, you love, because being the author makes you the main viewer.

12. Develop individual style and fantasy

There is nothing wrong to be similar to other artists. In case you need to express your own vision and points of view through your work, then it has to be well recognized. Unique color or mode of photographing can become the point that makes a difference. Follow the style and mode of making a snapshot that is more comfortable for you. Do not worry if some situations do not fit in the chosen profile. Create work with passion and style!

13. Develop amazing photographing skills with practice

There is no way to learn something without practice. Being a great professional does not mean that there is nothing left to learn. Do not stop on goals which were already achieved. Try something you were always scared to try and work with. Only by executing the most complicated tasks will you be able to discover your limits. Comfort zone is called this way to keep you inside even if you need to go further. This art is based on technology, but only a good photographer can realize masterpieces even with the simplest equipment available.

14. Accept every occasion to promote your business

Weddings, family holidays and portraits can easily become a representative feature of a picture professional. If you do not try it, you will never know how good you are in this field. Do not refuse any possibility to take snapshots and practice everything you have learned online or at other courses. We may consider ourselves portraitists, but in a sudden situation one may discover a talent to capture breathtaking landscapes with an iPhone or Android smartphone. Be inspired with every picture you make and do not forget to add some creativity in the final result.

15. Have fun to improve your photography skills

Enjoy the process without considering possible errors. It is not simple to use all the tips immediately, but implementing from time to time one or two of them will give you a necessary emotional boost. Look through the article and create your own list of hacks, which suit your personality and working mode.

Every time you see a possible picture ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is it a successful angle for shooting with a phone?
  • What if I come a little closer or use another lens, improving the view?
  • Should I also include some background in the frame or download a mobile app to cancel errors later?
  • How should I complete the composition without ruining the frame?
  • Which other details may improve the final result?

These are only several questions you may think of, working with your inspiration and style.

Resuming the article, which explains how to improve your photography, listen to your heart, develop personality and create masterpieces with pleasure!