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NON-GEAR-RELATED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

Quick Guide
Written by Karthika Gupta

NON-GEAR-RELATED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY // © PHOTZY.COM 1

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I have lost track of the number of times I have heard who are brilliant at what they do but are relatively
complete strangers compliment me on having a unheard of or unknown to the vast majority of
really fancy and expensive camera that takes “great the photographic community; and guess what,
pictures.” Surely I am not the only one, right! Initially, they are totally okay with that. Photography is a
I used to be quick to the defense and try to get a creative art form and like any art form, it takes a
word in on how I am a professional photographer LOT of hard work, practice, and perseverance to
and hence have some level of skill in my craft etc. get really good at taking great pictures. Sure, you
But now I simply nod, smile, and quickly move need to really understand your gear and what it
away. Unfortunately, the reality is that a lot of can and cannot do, but there is loads of simple,
photographers (and others) think that by having the non-technical stuff you can do to improve your
latest, greatest, and most expensive fancy camera, understanding of the concepts of photography as
they magically have the ability to take better photos. well.

The truth of the matter is that you don’t need the Here are some non-gear-related tips that will help
latest equipment or fancy qualifications to be a you take better photographs.
good photographer. I know many photographers

NON-GEAR-RELATED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY // © PHOTZY.COM 2

TAKE YOUR CAMERA
1 EVERYWHERE

You never know what might be around

the corner, be it close to home or on
your faraway travels. Life is unpredictable
and things change in a split second.
There’s always something interesting to
photograph. You just need to open your
eyes, look around, and be ready to snap
that shot. Additionally, make sure your
phone or camera of choice is within easy
reach ready for that shot.

Recommended Reading: If you

want to avoid boredom and repetition
in your photography, you can inject
some creativity into your work by using
the fun and challenging assignments in
our Creativity Catalog. Go here now to
take a look.

Photo by Karthika Gupta -

Memorable Jaunts

These migrating pelicans found

the most electric of resting
places…hopefully, they got re-
charged for their next flight.

NON-GEAR-RELATED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY // © PHOTZY.COM 3

2 TAKE PICTURES EVERY DAY

Overnight success is a myth. The sooner you

realize that, the more at peace you will be on
your photographic journey. We all know that
to get really good at anything, we need to
practice and practice a lot. After all, practice
makes perfect. The more pictures you take,
the better you will become. Don’t get hung
up on what you’re using to take the pictures,
either. Many times I only have my iPhone with
me and take a shot if it catches my eye. Be
confident that if done correctly, you can make
good pictures with any camera. If you need
motivation or accountability, sign up for a
challenge like ‘a 365 challenge.’ This is simply
committing to taking one photo every day for
365 days (i.e. one year consistently). There are
many groups and online clubs that you can join
and be a part of a larger community that does
the challenge with you virtually.
Photo by Karthika Gupta -
Memorable Jaunts

My dog is the ultimate

photobomb expert. He knows
exactly the moment before I
am going to press the shutter
and manages to insert himself
in most of my at-home-
practicing-with-props shots!

NON-GEAR-RELATED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY // © PHOTZY.COM 4

Photo by Karthika Gupta - Memorable Jaunts

Sometimes it is photographing everyday scenes that we often just take for granted.

NON-GEAR-RELATED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY // © PHOTZY.COM 5

ANALYZE OTHER
3 PHOTOGRAPHS

Seek inspiration in other photos. Look at

pictures you like and ask yourself what
you like about those pictures. What
makes it interesting to you and why? Also
question how you could make it better or
do it differently.

Don’t be afraid to try something

similar and put your own creative spin
on it. Visual platforms like Pinterest
and Instagram are great places to
seek inspiration for photo ideas. Even
magazines and photo books are great to
get the creative juices going. Take an old
idea and make it your own. That makes it
different, new and in turn, you just might
make it better than the original.

Photo by Karthika Gupta -

Memorable Jaunts

A recent obsession in the study of

effectively capturing movement in
photographs led to a multi-exposure
frame – one of my personal favorites
to showcase my creative journey.

NON-GEAR-RELATED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY // © PHOTZY.COM 6

STUDY YOUR IMAGES
4
Become your own best critic. Question
everything. Look at your pictures and ask
yourself what you like and what you don’t
like. Be completely honest with yourself
as this will really help you improve your
craft. Sometimes it is also beneficial to
repeat the shot and change it up to make
it better than your own original.

And when something works, celebrate

your success. It is very important in your
creative journey to celebrate your own
milestones – it makes the journey that
much more fun.

Recommended Reading:
If you want to avoid boredom and
repetition in your photography, you
can inject some creativity into your
work by using the fun and
challenging assignments in our
Creativity Catalog. Go here now to
take a look.
Photo by Karthika Gupta - Memorable Jaunts

This is the view from my home in Bombay. I love photographing the sea bridge – one of the
technological marvels of the modern world – at different times of the day and in different weather
conditions. It is amazing to analyze how light and color changes the whole perspective of an image.

NON-GEAR-RELATED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY // © PHOTZY.COM 7

5 STOP, LOOK, AND THEN CLICK

This is one of my pet peeves that I see many use rapid fire mode or burst mode to capture
photographers do and it really boggles my mind movement and behavior. But using burst mode on
at times. Yes, most of today’s fancy cameras have still life or landscape seems pointless – it is not like
a continuous shooting mode where you can fire the mountain or the glass of wine is going to grow
away at six to eight frames per second. But I find legs and move away!
that this tends to make us lazy as photographers.
We take on the mentality of the “spray and pray” I encourage you to instead try a different approach.
theory that if we take 20 shots of something, Yes, taking loads of pictures is great, but if you
chances are at least a couple will be worthwhile. pause and take a few seconds to really observe your
Now I will say that at times where I can see this surroundings, you will be able to visualize your shot,
being used and have used this rapid fire mode which is really critical for any photographer looking
myself is when I am photographing fast-moving to improve their craft and imagery. Think about how
objects or unpredictable subjects like wildlife. you want your picture to look and do what you need
Wildlife photography is very fast paced and to do to achieve that look. It might mean moving
extremely unpredictable; you never know how position, waiting for the light to change, or waiting
the animal you are photographing will change for the crowds to dissipate, but it could be the
their behavior or move, and hence you want to difference between a good photo and a great one.

NON-GEAR-RELATED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY // © PHOTZY.COM 8

Photo by Karthika Gupta -
Memorable Jaunts

We were walking along the narrow

street of Vridhavan in India and
this cow was ahead of us. We just
stopped to see what he was doing
and also to give him a wide berth
as he was a very big bull. He calmly
walked into this abandoned house
and made himself at home. It’s
not every day that you find cows
lounging inside your house.

NON-GEAR-RELATED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY // © PHOTZY.COM 9

SELF-REFLECT
6
I know this is a hard one to digest for some
people, but sometimes the things that really
hold us back from achieving something we really
want or crave has nothing to do with external
factors but more to do with our internal mind
blocks. Why are you not able to get stunning
landscape shots? Is it because you don’t want to
get up early to catch the early morning light that
is soft and beautiful? Or is it because you don’t
have the “right” lens for the shot? Why are you
not able to get models to practice your portrait
photography? Is it because you don’t want to be
rejected and fear what other people/friends will
think if you approach them to model for you? Or
is it because you live in the middle of nowhere
with no human company for miles around? I
don’t want to come across as a ‘know-it-all’ in this
aspect because that is far from the truth. I am as
Photo by Karthika Gupta - Memorable Jaunts
much as an introvert as the next person, but if
A conversation with a fellow creative led to a very impromptu photoshoot in a field right next
I want something really bad, I muster up all my
to her house that exploded with the most beautiful golden light as we started photographing courage and take the first step forward. Sure, my
her lovely sister who modeled for us. We talked shop, tried various poses and had a blast – palms sweat, but I tell myself that the worst thing
something that wouldn’t have really happened if I hadn’t taken that first step forward. that can happen is that the other person says
“No” and then I can move on. Don’t let your fear
of failure prevent you from potentially succeeding
at what you love the most.

NON-GEAR-RELATED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY // © PHOTZY.COM 10

CONCLUSION

So this is where I take off the ‘Dr.

Karthika’ hat and put on my professional
photographer hat! I hope these simple
yet powerful tips help you take better
photos and improve at your skill and craft.
Remember, it is not the camera that takes
a great picture but the skill of the person
behind the camera that gets the money
shot.

Recommended Reading: If you

want to avoid boredom and
repetition in your photography, you
can inject some creativity into your
work by using the fun and
challenging assignments in our
Creativity Catalog. Go here now to
take a look.

Photo by Karthika Gupta - Memorable Jaunts

NON-GEAR-RELATED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY // © PHOTZY.COM 11

SPONSORED Advertise with us

Hey there!
Let's get real for a minute... Learning photography can be super challenging! But
we're here to help you every step of the way! Here are 3 of our most useful (and
FREE!) photography resources:

3 Free Photography Cheat Sheets What is Your #1 Photography Killer? Free Photography eBooks

Grab 3 free photography cheat Take this 30 second quiz to find out Free access to our library of 250+
sheets that will help you the #1 thing holding your downloadable (pdf) tutorials on
understand the basics. photography back. everything you can imagine.

Download Cheat Sheets → Take Quiz → Download eBooks →

Want quick photography tips?

Check out our friends at DailyPhotoTips.com they'll send you 1 solid photography tip
to your inbox, 5 days a week. So you can start your day right, with actionable tips to
help you on your creative journey. Subscribe now →
(free for a limited time)

SPONSORED Advertise with us

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Congratulations! You’ve completed
this Photzy guide!
Karthika Gupta is a
If you’ve found this photography tutorial
wedding, lifestyle, portrait,
helpful, check out this Photzy premium
and editorial photographer
guide that contains fun and challenging
based in Chicago. Her
assignments to help you inject some creativity
style of photography is
into your photography: Creativity Catalog
fun, fresh, and organic. She
strives to capture authentic
emotions and interactions
among her clients and
emotive imagery in her
commercial work.

She loves connecting

with other creatives
and photographers and
is always ready for an
engaging conversation
about photography and the
art of storytelling.

She can be found online at www.karthikagupta.com

and on social media at:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/karthikagupta
IF YOU’D LIKE TO CONTINUE
Facebook: www.facebook.com/memorablejaunts LEARNING AND IMPROVING
Twitter: www.twitter.com/karthikagupta YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY PLEASE
VISIT PHOTZY.COM

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