How to Get Started in Photography Without the BS

Hard-earned advice on fundamentals, practice, and developing your own way of seeing.

Since moving my long-form photography writing to Substack, I opened up a Q&A for subscribers. The most common question I get is also the simplest one: How do I get started in photography?

It usually comes from people who feel overwhelmed before they've even taken their first real step. There's too much gear talk on YouTube, too many opinions and quick fixes from people who never really played the game.

While the question comes from beginners, the answer applies far beyond that. The same fundamentals that help someone start are often the ones experienced photographers need to return to when they feel stuck, distracted, or disconnected from their work.

Gear Isn't the Answer — So Let's Get It Out of the Way

If you're expecting the answer to be "buy better gear," it isn't. Buy used, buy what you can afford, and keep it simple. One camera and one lens is more than enough to get started. A mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses makes the most sense today, and whether it's full frame or crop sensor genuinely doesn't matter at this stage.

If you're starting from zero, I'd suggest a used 35mm lens and committing to it. A fixed focal length forces you to move your feet, slow down, and actually think about what you're doing. It teaches you distance, framing, and anticipation in a way zoom lenses often delay. That limitation isn't a handicap — it's a gift.

Learn Exposure Fundamentals Properly

Before presets, before styles, before social media, you need to understand how your camera actually works. That means shooting in manual mode and taking control of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO yourself.

One simple aperture exercise: place three objects on a table at different distances and shoot the same frame at different apertures from f/2.8 to f/11. Pay attention to what stays sharp and what falls out of focus. Then play with shutter speed by photographing movement — try 1/10th of a second, then 1/1000th.

Composition

Practice putting your camera where it doesn't feel natural. Get low. Find a higher vantage point. Move uncomfortably close to a subject. A simple exercise: work with a friend, have them stay completely still, and make five genuinely different photographs without asking them to move. The only thing that changes is you.

Learn how to see and use reflections, layers, and juxtapositions — but don't let them become tricks. Use them with intent. Before pressing the shutter, ask yourself why you're using the technique. If you can't answer that, wait.

Practice Where It's Quiet

Once you have a basic grasp of exposure, practice in low-pressure environments — around your house, in your neighborhood, with a friend who's comfortable being photographed. Build your foundation somewhere familiar first, then take those skills into more complex environments.

Figure Out What You Actually Like

Look at other people's work slowly and intentionally. Choose a small group of photographers to study. Not dozens — just a few voices that genuinely resonate with you. Maybe that's Magnum or VII documentary work. Maybe it's James Nachtwey's intensity. Maybe you're drawn to Irving Penn's portraiture. Look in books. Let images sit with you. When something works, ask yourself why.

Mimic, Then Move On

Once you understand what excites you, it's okay to imitate for a while. Reverse engineer images you admire — look at the light, the framing, the timing, the distance. This is how you build technical and visual vocabulary. But imitation should be temporary. The moments where you lose track of time are usually pointing you toward your own voice.

Give Your Photography a Purpose

This is where many people stall out. You need a project — not a vague idea, but a clear focus. A theme, a question, a narrow subject that gives your work boundaries. Give it a timeframe and an endpoint. Three months from now, publish a small series, make prints, or write about it. Purpose creates momentum and momentum builds confidence.

A Few Final Truths

Progress in photography is slow, and recognition is even slower. That's normal and unavoidable. Photography is built brick by brick through repetition, failure, and honest self-evaluation. Gear provides a quick dopamine hit, but it doesn't replace a solid foundation.

At some point, working with a coach or mentor can be helpful — especially someone whose work and values you trust. For anyone interested in online mentorship, portfolio reviews, and open Q&A sessions, book an appointment with me.