The One Thing That Makes You a Better Photographer… and it rather obvious.
When I started photography, I didn’t have mentors or formal training. I had curiosity, a camera, and YouTube, much like everyone else starting out. In the beginning, I watched dozens of videos. Some were useful, but most were simply noise. Over time, I realised that watching wasn’t translating into skill. The biggest shift happened when I started going outside and making photographs nearly every day. I walked the streets of London endlessly, often for hours, just observing, shooting, and experimenting. I tried different cameras, messed around with various formats, and eventually dove into film because I wanted to better understand the physics of light. Film forces you to think, to slow down, and to be intentional about getting it right in-camera. I didn’t realise it at the time, but I was building an instinct for light. Eventually, I reached a point where I could look at a scene and meter the exposure in my head. That kind of understanding doesn’t come from tutorials; it comes from doing it, over and over.
The Only Way to Learn Is to Do
There is nothing wrong with watching educational videos or reading books. Knowing how your camera works and understanding the physics of light are foundational necessities. But once you have grasped the basics, the rest must come from experience. The problem I have noticed is that too many people get stuck in the learning phase, collecting information as if it will inherently make them better. It won’t. At some point, you have to step away from the screen and apply what you have learnt. You have to test things out, shoot in difficult conditions, edit badly exposed images, experiment with light, fail, and try again.
Recently, I took a break from photojournalism—not because I was tired, but because I wanted to better understand the Nikon Z6 II I had just acquired. I didn’t want to rely on reviews or someone else’s opinion; I wanted to feel how it worked in my hands. I took time off, tested it extensively, and threw as many images as I could into Capture One. I played with colour calibration, compared skin tones, pushed files, broken them, and rebuilt them. That wasn’t about creating content or trying to be productive in the traditional sense. It was practice. It was the kind of work that improves confidence and removes hesitation when I am on assignment or in the field.
Tenacity Is the Easy Part If You Care Enough
One of the most common issues in the creative industry isn’t a lack of talent; it is a lack of consistency. People start with enthusiasm but quickly lose steam. However, if you really love photography, showing up gets easier. When the craft pulls you in, you don’t need motivation—you just need time. That said, love for the medium isn’t always enough. Life gets busy, self-doubt creeps in, and social media feeds start to shape our expectations. You begin to wonder if your work is good enough or if it matters. But the only thing that ever moves you forward is showing up. Even when it is boring. Even when the light is terrible. Even when no one is watching.
The photographers who improve the most aren’t necessarily the most talented; they are the ones who are committed. They put the hours in. They make a thousand terrible photos before they make one good one. They keep pressing the shutter until something starts to make sense. If you care about your work and want to be better, tenacity shouldn’t feel like punishment. It should feel necessary.
Vision Must Guide the Work
Many photographers fall into the trap of shooting aimlessly. They are out with their cameras, which is a start, but there is no real direction. They want to shoot portraits but keep shooting landscapes. They say they are interested in street photography but never leave their neighbourhood. There is no wrong subject, but your time should match your goals. If you want to improve in a specific area, then shoot in that area. Be deliberate. Even test shoots matter. If you can’t work with people yet, set up objects, light them as if they are human faces, and simulate what you eventually want to master. Photography without intent is often just noise. It feels active, but it rarely leads to meaningful progress. When you know where you are headed, even your experiments will feel more grounded. You will start noticing gaps in your knowledge or technique that you can then address through practice, not consumption.
Don’t Get Stuck in the Distractions
A lot of people these days are more focused on how their gear looks on Instagram than how their work feels. There is too much talk about cameras and not enough about what they are being used to say. The conversation is dominated by tech reviews, debates about whether film is better than digital, and superficial comparisons that don’t get you closer to making stronger images. This is the danger of "edutainment"—content that feels educational but isn’t helping you improve. People binge gear videos and tutorials but haven’t shot anything in weeks. They know every spec of every new lens but don’t know how to make compelling images with the gear they already own. That isn’t growth; it is procrastination disguised as productivity.
Great photographers don’t chase clout. They chase truth. They pay attention. They show up. They see what others miss. They spend more time behind the lens than in front of the algorithm. And that is exactly why their work connects.
Taste Comes From Repetition, Not Inspiration
Taste isn’t something you develop overnight. It is something that forms over time, through trial and error. You make hundreds, thousands of images, and slowly you begin to see patterns. You notice what you are drawn to, what feels right, what lights hit differently, and what compositions speak louder. That is taste. But you only get there by doing the work. The more you shoot, the more you realise what matters to you. Your taste gets sharper. You edit differently. You frame differently. You start choosing moments that feel more "you." All of that comes from experience, not passive inspiration.
You have to ask yourself why you are doing this. Is it to be seen, or is it to see? Because the ones who get better, who last, are the ones who commit to seeing. To noticing. To being present in the world with a camera and asking questions through the frame. That is the kind of work that lasts.
Ready to capture something real? Photography is about more than just settings and gear; it’s about perspective. Whether I am shooting a high-energy Music event, a raw Documentary project, or an intimate Portrait, the goal is always the same: to find the truth in the moment. If you are ready to create work that stands out, explore the Be Iconic series and let’s make something that lasts.
FAQ
Q: What is the fastest way to improve at photography? A: The fastest way to improve at photography is by practising regularly and with purpose. Get out and shoot in different lighting, environments, and situations. The more you make, review, and reflect, the quicker your instincts develop.
Q: Do I need expensive gear to be a good photographer? A: No, you don’t. Great photography comes from understanding light, composition, and intention. Many professionals create beautiful work using basic or second-hand cameras. Focus on what you’re capturing, not what you’re capturing it with.
Q: How can I stay motivated to practise photography consistently? A: Find meaning in your work. Start a personal project, shoot what genuinely interests you, or create small challenges for yourself. Motivation builds when you feel connected to what you’re shooting, not when you’re chasing perfection.
Q: Is self-taught photography effective? A: Absolutely. Many respected photographers are self-taught. If you’re willing to experiment, fail, and keep going, then being self-taught can give you unique insight and independence that formal training might not.
Q: How does practising photography help develop a personal style? A: Practising regularly helps you spot patterns in your work. Over time, you begin to notice what you’re drawn to—how you frame, how you light, what you care about. Your visual style naturally emerges from repetition and reflection.
Q: Why is doing the work more important than watching tutorials? A: Tutorials can teach you theory, but real growth comes from putting that knowledge to use. When you’re out shooting, you’re developing instincts, problem-solving on the fly, and learning how to respond to real conditions. That’s where skill lives.
Q: What should I focus on as a beginner photographer? A: Learn how to use your camera manually, understand how light affects your image, and practise framing strong compositions. Don’t overthink gear. Shoot regularly, review your work, and take the time to figure out what kind of images you want to make.