Lecture: Top 10 Beginner Photography Mistakes

Introduction

• Presenter: Parker & Nate Taylor
• Announcing the launch of a new mini course: Photo Pro, part of the Full Time Filmmaker program
• Importance of photography skills for videographers

Mistake 1: Focusing Too Much on Gear

• Common mistake: Obsessing over gear rather than using what you have
• Examples: Parker & Nate started with basic cameras
• Advice: Focus on improving skills, invest in classes or mentorships

Mistake 2: Using the Wrong Camera Settings

• Shooting Modes: Importance of learning manual mode over automatic
• Histogram: Use it to avoid over/underexposing images
• White Balance: Mistake: Shooting in JPEG over RAW
  • RAW retains more exposure/color information
  • JPEG loses quality during post-processing

Mistake 3: Bad Composition

• Framing: Include too much background, not filling the frame with the subject
• Background: Avoid distractions like objects growing out of the subject’s head
• Rule of Thirds: Avoid centering the subject; use horizontal and vertical lines
• Depth: Use foreground elements for depth (e.g., bushes, rocks)

Mistake 4: Bad Lighting

• Professionals use and shape light effectively
• Natural Light: Avoid noonday sun; use golden hour or cloud coverage
• Flash & Modifiers: Use a diffuser to soften light
• Rim/Hair Light: Separate subject from the background in studio settings

Mistake 5: Soft Focus

• Settings: Use servo mode over one-shot for moving subjects
• Shutter Speed: Keep above 1/250th sec; 1/1000th sec for fast-moving subjects
• Back Button Focus: Helps switch between focus modes seamlessly

Mistake 6: Lack of Movement or Action

• Capture dynamic and emotional moments, rather than static poses
• Examples: Sports, weddings, lifestyle photography
• Techniques: Long exposure for non-living subjects like rivers

Mistake 7: Using the Wrong Lens

• Portraits: Use 70-100mm lens, avoid wide-angle for close-ups
• Wide Shots: Use 35mm or 24mm for group shots/environment
• Telephoto: Necessary for sports or distant subjects

Mistake 8: Bad Posing

• Encourage natural interactions rather than stiff poses
• Examples: Have a couple hug naturally instead of awkward hand placements
• Establish common vocabulary to guide subjects

Mistake 9: Over Editing

• Avoid pushing editing controls too far (saturation, contrast, etc.)
• Focus: Enhance the photo without making it look unnatural
• Common Signs: Plastic skin, cartoonish looks, too much saturation

Mistake 10: Spending More Time Consuming than Creating

• Importance of practicing frequently, not just studying others’ work
• Advice: Focus on practice and improvement over comparison
• Tip: Spend most of your time creating rather than consuming

Conclusion

• Summary of the course: 30 video tutorials, covering multiple photography scenarios
• Included preset packs, editing workflows, and delivery tips
• Encouragement to subscribe and join the course for more content

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For more details, join the Photo Pro mini course or the complete Full-Time Filmmaker program.