Want to improve your photography? Go out of your comfort zone!

You have probably heard that one already. But do you understand why is this important for your growth as a photographer? The answer is quite simple – our comfort zone discourages or really stops any real learning because it limits your exposure to new places, ideas and opportunities. Set in our ways and routines, we will do what we always do. And this does not apply only to photography, it applies to everything in our lives.

Most people choose to never get out of their comfort zones, it is easier and comfortable. Why change that at all?

Because when it comes to photography trying new gear, new angles, new subjects, traveling and exposing ourselves to new locations and cultures will be a tremendous boost to our creativity. And practicing in the field will make wonders for your photography skills.

So how do you go out of your comfort zone? Here are a few simple techniques:

1. Photograph only with a prime lens for a month. Don’t have a prime lens? Use your zoom lens only at a specific focal length, for example 35mm. This will make you see the world around you in a new way. No more lazy zooming in and out, now you will need to use your feet to get closer or move away. I have been photographing with prime lenses for close to 15 years already and I know how much they can boost your creativity and inspiration.
2. Photograph only in Black and White for a while. Most new cameras allow you take photos directly in black an white in you camera. Shoot in RAW and that way you can easily get the colour back later if you want to. Doing this will really allow you to concentrate on the subject you are photographing and not get distracted by the colours.
3. Are you afraid to photograph people? Ask your friends or colleagues to pose for a simple portrait. This is the best way to overcome your fear of approaching people to photograph.

4. Change the type of photography you do. Try street photography or landscapes, shoot portraits for a while or still life. There is always another type of photography you can try.

5. Take part in a workshop. Are you a landscape photographer? Consider taking a Street Photography Workshop. Are you a street photographer? Take a Portrait Photography Workshop. This will allow you to see your photography from a different angle and yes, it will be hard adjusting a first, but the rewards will be good!

So don’t wait until tomorrow, pack your bag and go now! You will thank me later 🙂

In January and February I did visited Kolkata and Varanasi during my Photo Adventure in India. Here is a small gallery with a few of the photos I took there.

If you are interested in Joining in 2021, please take a look here: PhotoAdventures.be

All photos taken with Fuji XT-2, Fujinon 16-55 F/2.8, Fujinon 56mm F/1.2 and Fujinon 23mm F/1.4

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If you expect to nail your idea with the first shot when you are on location taking photos, you are greatly mistaken. Nobody nails the first one, this is not how photography works. 

I took the photo above during my 2020 Photo Adventure in India. It was an early morning in Varanasi. I feel in love with the idea of this photo, so approached closer and started taking photos.

For those interested a few numbers: I spent 12 days in India in February 2020 and came back home with 12500 photos. Used only 1 lens for 99% of the photos (16-55mm F/2.8). Broke one camera 🙂 After the first very rough selection ended up with ±1260 photos. Second selection brought that down to ±550. From them I managed to select about ±150 finals that I like enough to keep and show.

So why shoot so many photos if I end up using only a very small percent in the end?

Hopefully this will be a good example: I took 281 photos at this spot for about 15 minutes, from the same angle, with the same settings. Just one photo used in the end – the photo you see above.

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You tell me if it is worth the effort 🙂

People are one of the most common subjects to photograph, but to show them at their best is often a challenge, so here are some people and portrait photography tips.

We can photograph people in a lot of different ways – documentary, we can create art or fashion photos, business or lifestyle portraits or just everyday family pictures. Each genre has a different purpose which drives the creative process behind taking the photograph. There are many things you need to consider to be successful in photographing people.

SETTINGS AND GEAR

• Cover your basics. Being familiar with some basic settings on your camera is the first step you need to take. Make sure you know how to use your camera in Aperture priority mode (and how to adjust your exposure compensation) or in Manual mode
• Practice using available light to get the most of your photos. Most people feel at a loss when they have to consider how to use natural light to their advantage. Direction of light, proper exposure and right posing of your subject are crucial.
• Consider getting a fast prime lens (if you don’t already have one). A good carpenter never blames his tools. But he’ll tell you the importance of having the right tool for the job. Even a cheap 50mm F1.8 lens will do miracles when photographing people.
• If you want to use flash for your photography, get a dedicated speed light and remote flash triggers to use the flash off camera for much better results. Flash photography is a completely different beast. It is not that hard, but definitely the more you practice, the better you will get. Off camera lights are a must! There are numerous options available for flash triggers, some of them quite affordable.

PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE

• Do not forget that the background in your photos is as important as the foreground. Background detail is imperative in adding a sense of place and defining the character of your subject. However, be mindful when composing your photos so that the background doesn’t distract or get attention away from your subject. The main focus of your portraits should be your subject.
• Get closer, go further away, get low or climb higher. Photos taken all the same from the same angle and height are boring fast. The most common mistake made by photographers is that they are not physically close enough to their subjects. Viewers can sense when the subject is small because it was supposed to be and when it’s small because the photographer was too shy to get close.
• Go slowly. Anticipate peoples behaviour by observing them. An important element in people photography is knowing your subjects well enough to be able to anticipate what they are going to do. It’s the only way you are going to be able to get meaningful pictures of them. If you expect to just wait until you see the proper moment to take the photo, it might not be fast enough and you will miss it.
• Engage with your subjects, most people feel uncomfortable in front of the camera. This is where we all have to learn to overcome our shyness and approach people in an open and friendly manner. Take time to engage the person in a conversation, just as you would if you didn’t have a camera.
• Include hands and eyes in your photos. People say the eyes are the door to your soul. Never cut them or your subject palms unless you absolutely need to.
• Think about the essential compositional techniques when framing your portraits. Having a great composition in your photos can make even a boring photo look interesting. Applying some basic compositional techniques, such as the rule of thirds, to your photos is essential!
• Create stories, not just snapshots. Environmental portraits are interesting and engaging. Portraits are about people. Environmental portraits are about people and their stories. Environmental portraits seek to convey an idea about a person by combining portraiture with a sense of place. One of the benefits of photographing people in a natural environment is that they will feel more relaxed and comfortable being photographed resulting in better and stronger photos.

Did you like this people and portrait photography tips? Would you like to know more? Consider attending my new “Photographing people using natural light and flash” photography workshop in Brussels.

I was very lucky to attend and photograph one of the most colourful and interesting celebrations in India – Holi. I decided to travel to Bundi, a small village off the beaten path in Rajasthan where few tourist go and enjoy the celebrations there. It was a great decision – there were almost no tourists and the party was crazy!!

All photos were taken with Fuji XT-2 and Fujinon 16mm F1.4 lens.

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Would you like to improve your photography skills and visit the magical Rajasthan region in India? Consider attending my next Photography Adventure in India.