How to Become a Better Photographer: 13 Practical Skills

Photography is more than just pointing a camera and pressing a button. It’s about learning to see the world differently, making creative decisions in real time, and turning everyday moments into lasting stories. Whether you’re a beginner with a phone or someone dreaming of becoming a pro, improving your photography takes more than luck—it takes skill, practice, and passion.

In this guide, I’ll walk through 13 skills and habits that will not only make you a better photographer but also help you build confidence, develop your own style, and maybe even earn money from your craft.

1. Understand Your Camera

Every camera—from your smartphone to a professional DSLR—has features that affect how your photo turns out. The three most important settings to learn are:

• Aperture (f-stop): Controls how much light comes in and how much of the image is in focus. A low f-number (like f/2.8) means a blurry background—great for portraits. A higher f-number (like f/8 or f/11) keeps more in focus—better for landscapes.
• Shutter Speed: Determines how long the shutter stays open. A fast shutter (1/1000s) freezes action, while a slow one (1/30s or longer) creates motion blur—like light trails at night.
• ISO: Controls how sensitive your camera is to light. Higher ISO helps in dark scenes but can make the image grainy.

Together, these form the exposure triangle, and understanding how to balance them is your first big step toward creative control.

2. Practice Consistently

Photography is a hands-on skill—you won’t improve by reading alone. The best way to get better is by shooting often.

• Challenge yourself to take a photo every day for a month.
• Pick a theme for the week: shadows, movement, close-ups, etc.
• Revisit the same place multiple times to see how light and mood change.

You don’t need the perfect subject or location to practice. Shoot your desk, your pet, the sky—anything. The more you shoot, the better you’ll understand how to frame, focus, and expose a scene.

3. Master Composition

Composition is how you arrange elements within your frame. It’s what makes your photo feel balanced, interesting, and intentional.

Start with the Rule of Thirds: Imagine breaking your image into a 3x3 grid. Place your subject where the lines intersect—not dead center—to create a more dynamic look.

Other composition techniques include:

• Leading lines: Use paths, fences, roads, or shadows to guide the viewer’s eye toward your subject.
• Framing: Use windows, doors, or tree branches to surround your subject naturally.
• Negative space: Leave empty areas to make your subject stand out more.

Good composition helps tell a story and gives your photo structure, even in chaotic environments.

4. Study Light

Photography literally means “drawing with light.” The way you use light can completely change the emotion and quality of a photo.

Things to try:

• Golden Hour: Shoot during sunrise or sunset when the light is soft and warm.
• Backlighting: Place the light source behind your subject to create silhouettes or glowing effects.
• Side lighting: Adds drama and depth, especially in portraits.

Don’t just look at your subject—watch how the light hits them. Harsh sunlight might create unwanted shadows, while soft window light can be flattering for portraits.

5. Use a Tripod

A tripod keeps your camera steady, which is essential for:

• Low-light photography, like night scenes or indoor shots.
• Long exposure shots, such as waterfalls or city lights.
• Self-portraits, time-lapses, or family photos.

It also encourages you to slow down, think about your framing, and take fewer but more intentional shots.

6. Build a Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of your best work, curated to show what you can do. Whether you’re applying for photography jobs or just tracking your progress, a portfolio:

• Helps you see your growth and patterns in your style.
• Shows others (clients, followers, brands) what you’re capable of.
• Makes you think more critically about which photos really stand out.

Use platforms like Adobe Portfolio, Squarespace, or even a clean Instagram grid to start. Keep it focused—10 strong images are better than 50 average ones.

7. Try Different Styles to Find Your Strength

There are many types of photography—each one teaches you something different:

• Portraits: Teach you how to direct people and play with depth of field.
• Street photography: Sharpens your timing and observation skills.
• Landscapes: Help you learn patience, weather planning, and long exposure.
• Product or food photography: Develops your eye for detail and lighting control.

Exploring different styles helps you discover what excites you and where your natural talent lies.

8. Learn from Other Photographers

Studying other photographers—especially those a few steps ahead of you—can fast-track your growth.

• Follow photographers you admire on Instagram, YouTube, or Behance.
• Watch how they frame scenes, use light, and edit photos.
• Join photography forums, online classes, or workshops where people give feedback.

Don’t copy—observe. Ask: What makes this photo work? How was it lit? Where was the focus? These questions train your eye over time.

9. Take Tons of Photos—Then Learn From Them

Quantity leads to quality—but only if you review your work. Look at your photos after every session and ask:

• What’s working in this shot?
• Is the subject clear?
• Is anything distracting?
• What would I do differently next time?

Mistakes are normal—and necessary. Every bad shot is one step closer to a great one.

10. Watch the Details

Many beginners forget to check the small stuff:

• Are the eyes in focus? This is especially important in portraits.
• Is there something sticking out of someone’s head in the background?
• Are your lines straight? (Use grid lines or crop/rotate tools.)

Clean, polished images come from paying attention to these tiny but important details.

11. Be Patient and Flexible

Things rarely go exactly as planned in photography. The light might change. People might move. Batteries might die.

Instead of getting frustrated, stay flexible:

• Wait for the right moment.
• Adapt to the light you do have.
• Explore different angles instead of forcing one shot.

Patience leads to better results—and often, the best photos happen when you're open to surprises.

12. Stay Passionate

Passion is what keeps you picking up the camera—even when your shots don’t turn out great. To stay motivated:

• Keep a folder of your favorite shots for inspiration.
• Set personal goals (e.g., “Master nighttime photography this month”).
• Take breaks when needed, but don’t quit.

Let your curiosity lead your next project. That’s where the magic happens.

13. Turn It Into a Business

If you love photography enough to do it full-time, start small:

• Choose a niche (weddings, branding, events, real estate).
• Build a simple website with your portfolio and services.
• Learn to price your work fairly and professionally.

Photography businesses grow through referrals, quality work, and good client experiences. You don’t need to be famous—just consistent.

Final Word: Better Photography Starts With Better Seeing

The best photographers don’t just “look”—they see. They notice how the light hits a surface. They wait for the moment someone laughs. They choose when to press the shutter—and when not to.

So pick up your camera, learn how to use it, and start seeing like a storyteller. Because the journey to becoming a better photographer starts with one thing: a deep desire to capture life better than before.