What to do after buying your first camera!? That’s the million-dollar question in the minds of many young photographers. First of all, congratulations on your new camera purchase! Whether you’ve invested in a point-and-shoot, mirrorless or DSLR camera, you’ve taken the first step in your photography journey. Now that you’ve bought your first camera, there are a few things you can do to get started with photography.
1. Read the manual
The first thing you should do after buying a new camera is to read the manual. This may not sound like the most exciting thing to do, but it’s essential to learn about your camera’s features and functions. The manual will give you an understanding of how to operate your camera correctly, which will help you get the best results from it.
Reading the manual will teach you how to use the camera’s various shooting modes and other essentials such as adjusting your exposure settings, cleaning and maintenance. Without reading the manual, you may miss out on some of the advanced features of your camera.
2. Familiarize yourself with the camera’s settings
Once you’ve read the manual, take some time to familiarize yourself with the camera’s settings. Learn how to adjust the ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and white balance. Experiment with different settings to see how they affect your photos. As quickly as you can, figure out the placement of these settings and train yourself to quickly make adjustments to them. The more hands-on experience you have with your camera, the faster you’ll become proficient with it.
3. Invest in a camera bag
A camera bag is essential to protect your camera and accessories when you’re on the go. Choose a bag that fits your camera, lenses, and other accessories. There are various types of bags available, including backpacks, shoulder bags, and messenger bags.
My favorite beginner camera bag is the Lowepro Tahoe BP 150. This bag is an affordable and high quality option for beginner photographers. You can check out this bag and other options here!
4. Get a tripod
A tripod is an essential accessory for any photographer. It allows you to stabilize your camera and take sharp photos, especially when using slow shutter speeds. There are many types of tripods available, including lightweight travel tripods, heavy-duty tripods, and tabletop tripods.
When I first started photography, I screwed up by going super cheap on my tripod. The tripod was difficult to use and almost dropped my new camera several times! Cheap tripods put your camera at risk and can cause you more problems than you need. As you’re getting started, invest in a solid, high quality tripod. You don’t need to break the bank, just buy a tripod that’s solid, like this SmallRig photography tripod.
5. Take some photography courses
Taking a photography course after buying your first camera can be extremely valuable for many reasons. Firstly, it provides you with a structured and comprehensive learning experience. A good photography course will cover everything from the basics of camera operation to more advanced techniques such as composition, lighting, and editing. Secondly, it allows you to learn from experienced photographers who can provide you with valuable feedback and advice. This can help you improve your skills much faster than if you were to learn on your own.
If you’re looking for a simple crash course to get yourself started in photography, be sure to check out our course by clicking here!
6. Take lots of photos with your new camera
The best way to learn photography is by taking lots of photos. Experiment with different settings, subjects, and lighting conditions. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, that’s the best way to accelerate your learning curve. As you start your photography journey, give yourself a challenge of taking one photo a day! One photo a day is an awesome way to start mastering your camera and getting experience in a variety of scenarios.
If you’re interested in learning more about the value of the photo a day challenge, check out this CachedOut Podcast episode where we hit on some of the perks of a 1 photo a day challenge!
7. Learn photo editing
Photo editing is a crucial part of modern photography. Learning how to edit your photos will allow you to enhance their colors, contrast, and sharpness. There are many photo editing software options available, so I recommend trying out different brands to find the one you enjoy using the most.
After using Adobe Lightroom for many years, I switched to Luminar about 6 years ago and I’ve really been impressed with what they have to offer. Luminar is a fantastic option if you’d like a photo editing software that doesn’t require a monthly subscription. You can read more about Luminar vs Lightroom on this prior post!
Buying your first camera is an exciting and rewarding experience. By reading the manual, familiarizing yourself with the settings, investing in accessories, joining a photography community, taking lots of photos, and learning photo editing, you can take your photography skills to the next level. Remember to enjoy the journey and have fun while capturing the world around you.
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