How to | Improve your photography

8 Ways to Stay Sharp:

1. Shoot every day

Nothing exercises your photography muscles like taking a picture every day. It doesn’t need to be a full 365 project; just get into the habit of picking up the camera daily. Reinforcing key dials and buttons through regular use will improve your confidence and speed, even if you’re not inserting a memory card or saving the images.

2. Reduce cropping

Try going a week or two without cropping in post. It may feel limiting, but it forces you to think harder about your framing before you shoot. Digital photography makes it easy to shoot quickly and fix later — but slowing down and composing more intentionally will ultimately improve your eye.

3. Take natural light portraits

Set aside your flashguns and studio lights for a while and work with natural light. You’ll become more sensitive to its quality and direction, and better at making the most of it. Play with soft top shade, shoot into the sun for flare effects, or observe how light changes throughout the day.

4. Enter competitions

Competitions sharpen your selection and editing skills, and force you to evaluate your strongest work. Shortlisting (or winning) can build confidence, but even if you don’t, you’ll gain insights from studying the winners. Many contests are free or low-cost, so there’s little to lose.

But remember, it takes persistence to succeed. Most competition winners have faced multiple rejections. Learn from each experience, develop a thicker skin, and remember that judging is often subjective. Keep refining your portfolio and trying again.

5. Set yourself a commission

Even on grey or uninspiring days, you can come up with something to shoot. Set a mini brief — experiment with traffic trails, panning or other technical challenges. You’ll thank yourself when you're in a better location and already comfortable with your gear.

6. Shoot a wedding (or other event)

Wedding photography is intense, but invaluable. You learn to adapt quickly to changing light, juggle group organisation, work fast under pressure, and develop people skills. If a wedding feels like too much responsibility, start with smaller events like birthdays or community gatherings.

7. Post at least five images a week on social media

Regular posting keeps you editing, curating and sharing your work. Try publishing within 24 hours of a shoot, like a press photographer. It’ll help you see which images resonate most and provide valuable feedback if shared in niche photography groups.

8. Get up in the morning

If you’re a landscape, travel or wildlife photographer, early mornings offer softer light and quieter scenes. Even popular locations are tranquil at sunrise, and you’ll often have the place to yourself. It’s also a good way to make the most of a trip — serious shooting early, and leisure time later.

Composition Tips:

1. Remember the rule of thirds – but break it

The rule of thirds is one of the first concepts taught to photographers. Imagine dividing the scene into thirds both horizontally and vertically, placing your subject or focus where lines intersect or along these lines. While many photographers use this instinctively, some images work better with the subject centred or off to an edge. So consider the rule as a guideline — not a strict rule.

2. Be careful when shooting linear details

Subjects with linear details, like architecture, reveal any tilt or imbalance easily. Use a grid overlay on your screen or electronic viewfinder, or align your tripod’s bubble level to get it right in-camera. Post-processing tools can help straighten images, but remember to correct barrel distortion first if shooting wide-angle.

3. Use vignetting creatively

Vignetting causes slight darkening in the corners of an image, often at wider apertures. While many correct this for even lighting, portrait photographers use it to frame and draw attention to the subject centre. To maximise vignetting, shoot wide open at f2 or f1.8 with a bright, featureless background like the sky.

4. Know your viewfinder

Viewfinder coverage varies by camera; budget DSLRs may only show 95% of the final image, while compact cameras suffer from parallax error, showing a slightly different view from the lens. This can cause distracting elements to creep into the frame. Mirrorless cameras typically avoid this by using electronic viewfinders that show an exact preview including exposure and colour.

5. Think symmetrical

Symmetry can make a striking composition and is a great time to ignore the rule of thirds. Accuracy is key — use grid lines or autofocus points to keep your subject perfectly centred and check your angle carefully to avoid perspective distortion. Ensure other elements don’t disrupt the balance.

6. Consider your subject’s facing direction

Wildlife and portrait images often work better when the subject isn’t looking directly at the camera. Leave space in the frame where your subject is looking or moving to provide context and visual balance.

Bad Habits to Break:

The more images you take, the more you’ll realise that photography is a game of patience. Yes, you need to be in the right place at the right time — but then comes the waiting. Waiting for the right light, for a creature to emerge, for the perfect moment to unfold. Rushing around often means missed opportunities.

Try lingering a little longer. Accept that you may walk away with nothing — but you might capture something truly memorable. One great image beats fifty average ones every time.

2. Mindless composition

Don’t press the shutter without a second thought. Ask yourself: are all the elements arranged as I want them? Are there any distractions creeping in? Watch out for traffic cones, bins, fire extinguishers, and poles appearing from heads. Make sure you’re in the right position, at the right height and angle, and fully aware of your frame before you shoot.

3. Chimping

“Chimping” — constantly checking the LCD after every shot — is a hard habit to break. But it’s often misleading, showing only a low-res preview, and worse, it pulls your focus from the scene. In portraiture especially, it can disrupt the connection with your subject. Stay engaged and in the moment instead of glued to the screen.

4. Crude flash

On-camera flash can be helpful — or it can ruin a shot. Indoors, direct flash often results in harsh shadows, overexposed faces, and flat lighting. Bounce the flash off a wall or ceiling, use a bounce card, or invest in a flash modifier to soften the effect. Avoid hitting your subjects with direct light — they’ll thank you.

5. Not seeking feedback

Even the best photographers benefit from constructive feedback. It’s easy to become too close to your own work to spot flaws. Join a camera club, attend portfolio reviews, or reach out to photographers you admire. Not everyone will reply — but many professionals are happy to share insight, especially within their niche.