If I Had To Learn Photography All Over Again

As someone who's entirely self-taught, my photography journey has been anything but linear. It’s been all over the place—disjointed and patched together. Yet, photography has always been there, quietly in the background, evolving with me. Looking back, I often think about what I’d do differently if I had to start again.

If I were to learn photography from scratch, this would be my step-by-step roadmap:

1. Learn the Origins of Photography

I’d begin with the roots of photography. Understanding how it all started, from the first cameras to the pioneers of the craft, is essential. Learning about how photography transitioned from an invention to an art form gives you a deeper appreciation of the medium. It's fascinating to see how early photographers captured life without the technology we rely on today. By learning the history, you connect with the essence of photography, which can spark your creative vision and give your work more depth.

2. Explore Different Types of Photography

Before diving in, I’d explore the many types of photography out there—portrait, landscape, street, documentary, fashion, food and more. Watch videos, tutorials, and take courses to get a feel for each genre. Figuring out what resonates with you early on helps direct your journey. If a particular style appeals to me, I’d immerse myself in it, study the greats in that field, and experiment. Every genre teaches you something new, and you’ll naturally gravitate toward the style that feels the most aligned with your vision.

3. Understand the Exposure Triangle

Light is everything in photography, and understanding the exposure triangle—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—is key to mastering it. Each element plays a critical role in getting the proper exposure. You’ll want to know how to manipulate light, control depth of field, and capture motion, whether you’re shooting in low light, bright sunlight, or anywhere in between. Spend time experimenting with each setting and learning how aperture, ISO, and shutter speed work together to create balanced, well-exposed images.

4. Master the Fundamentals of Natural Lighting

Lighting can make or break a photograph, and natural light is plentiful and simply gorgeous. I’d focus on learning the fundamentals of natural lighting—backlighting, side lighting, golden hour, harsh light, and diffused light, and all forms in between. Understanding how to position your subject relative to the sun, how light changes throughout the day, and the dance between light and dark is essential. I’d practice shooting in different lighting conditions to see how it affects the mood and tone of my images.

5. Learn About Different Cameras and Formats

There are so many types of cameras and formats—DSLRs, mirrorless, medium format, film cameras, and more. I’d dive into understanding the differences and how they impact your images. Each type of camera has its strengths and weaknesses, and the format you choose influences the look and feel of your photography. It’s worth knowing what’s out there before investing in gear that supports the style you want to pursue because, without question, photography gear is very expensive! (You certainly don’t need the very best to get started though. Start with the best you can afford.)

6. Shoot a LOT and Experiment

Get out there and shoot a lot. I’d try everything—portraits, landscapes, street scenes, nature, food photography—wherever my eye and intuition leads me. There’s no better way to learn than by experimenting, making mistakes, and getting out of your comfort zone. Every genre teaches you something different, and each time you press the shutter, you get closer to discovering your own visual style. The key is to let yourself play and explore without the pressure of perfection. If you find yourself drawn to a particular genre, immerse yourself into it; learn from the greats, learn as much as you can about it, and explore where that leads you.

7. Master Focus and Manual Mode

Learning the different focus modes like continuous vs. single etc and how shooting in manual mode is a game-changer. When you take full control of your camera, you’re free to create the photo you envision. You understand exactly how each shot is created, from exposure to focus, and that’s where real creative freedom begins. I’d practice first in Aperture Priority (AV) before shooting in manual mode until it feels intuitive. A step next would be to shoot in manual mode with AUTO ISO (because ISO is the LEAST likely to impact your creative vision and overall look in a photo in most situations.)

8. Learn About Lenses

Lenses affect the look of your photos more than you might realize. I’d dive into how different lenses create a certain look in an image—wide-angle for landscapes, prime lenses for portraits, and macro lenses for close-ups. Some lenses are better suited for certain types of photography, and knowing which one to use in different situations can elevate your work. Experimenting with different lenses teaches you to see the world through different perspectives. I’d invest my money in the best lens for my genre of photography such as a f 2.8 f 24-70mm, f 1.4 50mm prime, and a f 1.4 35mm prime. Yours may be completely different depending on your genre, but a fantastic lens is where you should put your money and build your kit from there.

9. Study the Visual Language of Photography

I’d learn the visual language of photography—the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, negative space, visual patterns, color, and visual storytelling. These elements help you create more compelling and balanced images. Understanding composition and how to tell a story through your photos is just as important, if not more so, as technical skills. I’d study the classic photography principles and visual patterns and train my eye to see them in my day-to-day life.

10. Shoot with Intention to Develop Your Eye

Once I have a grasp on the technical side, I’d shoot again, this time with intention. The goal here is to develop your photographic eye, which takes time and practice. I’d focus on framing, lighting, and composition. The more intentional you are with your shots, the better you become at seeing creatively. Henri Cartier-Bresson said, “You’re first 10,000 photographs are your worst,” so shoot with intention, learn, and make lots and lots of mistakes, to finally get to some good stuff! Photography has a big learning curve; you start out really optimistic and excited and think your photos are amazing, then you realize how little you know and how your skills are lacking and it totally drops. Don’t worry, it’s only by getting through these “bad” images that can you get to your quality work. I’d also assign myself a project and use a film camera, limiting the number of exposures to ensure I capture each shot with intention.

11. Learn to Edit

Editing is a powerful part of the photography process, and Lightroom is my program of choice but there are many options out there. I’d learn the basics of editing—exposure, reading the histogram, color correction, cropping, and contrast—before diving deeper into more advanced techniques like applying presets, masking, and color grading. Editing is where it all comes together and is very much a subjective process so I’d experiment with a variety of different photos to see what I preferred as a whole to create a framework for my style of editing.

12. Seek Inspiration and Emulate What You Love

Lastly, I’d seek inspiration outside. Study the work of photographers you admire and try to emulate what you love about their style. Whether it’s their use of color, composition, or how they capture emotion, you can learn a lot from trying to recreate styles that resonate with you. If I came across a photo I really loved, I’d ask myself, "What exactly is it about this image that draws me in?" This not only sharpens your technical skills and a photographic eye but also helps you figure out what you want your work to say or who you are as a photographer. I’d put together a vision board for the style, aesthetic, and direction I aspire my photography to become.

I hope these help you wherever you are on your journey, but rest assured it’s ok your creative path isn’t linear or remotely resembles this, mine certainly didn’t. But it is helpful to see if there are areas you could work or improve in. Remember, your path is uniquely yours and yours alone; neither right nor wrong and you have everything you already need within to continue on wherever you are…