5 Tips to Start Taking Photos Like a Professional Photographer

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Thanks for watching! If you have any questions about these 5 tips, please let me know in the comments below. I really hope they help you improve your photography. Want more content like this? Don't forget to like 👍 this video and subscribe to my channel to help me reach 10,000 subscribers! ✊Download your copy of my new eBook ➡ gallagher-photo.com/learn

[@DynastyUK]

I often find a lot of photographers find impossible is being ruthless, they would upload a carousel of very similar images. Sometimes it's for the Algorithm, since at one point carousels ranked higher on Instagram. If that's the case you're better off repeating the image but telling a story to go along with it, not lots of the same image at slightly different angles or poses etc. It only dilutes the quality. I love to have a story or a issue, but sometimes things don't have to make sense. as David Lynch put it “I don't know why people expect art to make sense. yet, They accept the fact that life doesn't make sense.”. However there does need to be a cause for your not making sense. Fine line between art, and laziness. But who knows, one mans shite is another mans gold haha. Nice work btw. I'd also add a "secret" is edit beyond what critics may say and DON'T follow rules of Photography award competition/judges. They only limit your creativity. If you want to photoshop an image beyond all recognition, DO IT. Do not let others ideas of what photography should be deter you. Otherwise we'd all be the same. It's just like music, we'd have no synth music if we hadn't completely adapted. It would all still be Lutes and fiddles. Or how we evolved from using "EVIL" notes in musical scales. Keep creating for YOU, and nobody else.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Some good points here. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Yes, most photographers find it difficult to be ruthless with editing...most can get down to a handful they like, but then struggle to pick 'the one'. I hope to make a more in-depth video on editing soon. As a photojournalist, I suppose I am biased towards storytelling, but I don't want my images to be literal 'news' photos. Often the best images raise more questions for the viewer, rather than provide all the answers. But when viewed as a whole, there is often an overarching theme or message. But again, that comes down to my type of photography. Re: rules. Yes, know them and study them, but then experiment and break them. And as David Bowie said, "It's dangerous for an artist to fulfill other people's expectations. They generally produce their worst work when they do that."

[@DynastyUK]

@@SeanGallagherPhotographer Great! I'm looking forward to see what else you have on the subject. It's a difficult one with the culling, since it's down to how you think at the time. I've had it where I've looked back and seen images and thought why on earth didn't I share this one at the time? But I've also seen David Bailey asked a similar thing when looking back, and he's very confidently says what he picked then is always right and if he didn't think it was worthy then why should it be now?... an interesting way to view things, I believe we grow and expand our opinions, at least for me anyway. Being a Photojournalist while maintaining some artistic flair is such a challenge. From the looks of your work you've mastered it. Agreed with the not telling everything thing, another thing is you have to be very careful with photojournalism since an image may not tell the truth either. So regarding my editing comment, ignore that for photojournalism or at least if it's not going down as facts. Ah, Love the Bowie quote, I've been victim of that with music production too. My best work was when I was younger and still learning, but by learning it was self taught trial and error. It was only when I was influenced too much by a genre, or artist that it became not mine but just a copy. These are great things to talk about for photography, the what goes on in someone's head when they create part of it. I think we're all influenced and have those little inner battles of what we like/do and what we're being told to like/do.

[@chadmullins7553]

I have recently been applying many of these "secrets" to my system. Really has helped me upgrade a lot. Very happy to hear you are teaching to do these specific things. Thank you!

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Glad they resonate with what you're doing ✊

[@markusbolliger1527]

Excellent summary of what is really important in photography! Agree with every point, coincides with my own experience. Thank you very much Sean.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Thanks, Markus. Good to hear it reflects your own experiences too 👍

[@tandrylaksana]

you are so inspiring Sean. utmost respect and warm regards from Indonesia

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Thank you 🙏 .... Always enjoy visiting Indonesia! 🙂

[@joanneabramson2645]

I like that you pulled all the tips together at the end and showed them as a final reminder. I think that is an effective learning tool. I recently went out to photograph in a redwood forest with only one goal, to follow where the light led me. Basically watching for where the forest had a spotlight on a plant, tree, spiderweb, etc. A fun photographic challenge.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Thanks, Joanne. Sounds like a great challenge to develop your photography. Always follow the light! 👍

[@sadat.fateme777]

Thank you for your profasional advices.🙏😍😊🌹☘️ they are useful for me

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

You are very welcome ✊📸

[@masaradon8448]

Wow, I've watched a few of your KZbin videos but only now I learned your focus is on climate and the environment, which happens to be my field of work! I'm a climate scientist by profession and a hobbyist photographer. I was thinking like if the light is so important in photography why you hadn't made a video focusing solely on that. But then, as I watched this video, I found it increasingly insightful, especially towards the end. I understand now that your skill as a storyteller contributes to your excellence as a photographer. This video is truly amazing, and I really appreciate it.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Hello Masara. Thank you for your comment. Yes, the main focus of my work is on global environmental issues, especially surrounding climate change. You can see my stories here gallagher-photo.com/portfolio-items/environmental-stories/ The channel is still in its early stages, so there will be more videos soon that hopefully cover all the topics you are interested in learning about!

[@charlieross-BRM]

Off to a good start. @1:15 "Light" - I was in a business partnership where the other person would always want pictures, pictures, pictures. Often I would just look around; look up at the sky, and say "No." Or she'd tell me (not 'ask' which is what got my back up) to get a picture of her with some notable guest at an outdoor event and I would first pause to look up at the sky to gauge the sun instead of just snapping a shot of her and the Mayor or whomever, which drove her nuts, like I was drifting off or something. It's funny to think back to that.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Yes, most people don't appreciate light, or think about it. Thanks for sharing your experiences, Charlie.

[@bernym4047]

I'm primarily interested in landscape photography and especially monochrome. I like to shoot in 'challenging' weather to get moody, gritty images. I have never been drawn to street/human interest photography but I confess your videos have whetted my appetite. I have 'chased the light' often. One memorable occasion was arising in the English mid summer at 3.30 am to get the dawn light on a lighthouse on a bleak windswept beach near Lancaster. On arrival at the location, I was dismayed to see the sun hidden behind a bank of cloud. Dispirited, I shot off a few uninspiring images and started to pack up my gear. Suddenly, the sun appeared and lit the scene in glorious light and I was lucky to get some fantastic images. But there is a moral to this tale. I learned to expect to fail when going to a location. When I adopted this frame of mind, I found I was much less apprehensive about going to places quite far away and stopped worrying that it would be a wasted journey. I learned to embrace the joy of the landscape even if it was not a good photo opportunity. Thank you for your inspiration and increasing my pleasure in photography.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Hi Berny. Thanks for the thoughtful post and interesting story! It sounds like you have adopted the right mindset for these situations. I think the best images come from those moments that you could never have expected. Whether that's the unexpected rays of sunshine on a gloomy Lancastrian day, or the juxtaposition of people passing through a street scene. Keep going with this mindset, be patient and the images will come. Good luck! ✊📸

[@AlbertoAcero]

The 2nd tip can go hand in hand with “waiting”, many times is just a matter of waiting for the light, even a few minutes can make the difference

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

100% correct, Alberto 👍 I should maybe discuss this in another video. I spend 99% of my time just waiting for the right light, looking for the best angle, or the interesting moment to appear.

[@RizzaRazzu]

Great advice.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Hope it was helpful 👍

[@maycubaneando]

muy bueno ,tremenda enseñanza , estoy haciendo un proyecto esto me ayudara gracias

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

👍

[@didierpetre4490]

Excellent, sensible advice, based on experience and common sense. So much more interesting than silly tester videos.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Appreciate the comment, Didier. Glad you enjoyed the video ✊️

[@willyonamountain]

Quality over quantity 💯. If I get one image from a day of hiking and shooting that could potentially be a print, I'm usually pleasantly surprised (that may also speak to my shoddy photography hahah).

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Not at all. One image that you're happy with from a day of shooting sounds pretty good 👍

[@MdwasifRahman-w4z]

best video i had ever seen.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Really? 🤣

[@MdwasifRahman-w4z]

@@SeanGallagherPhotographer Yes, It's true. After I watched this video, I found a lot of my mistakes.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

@@MdwasifRahman-w4z 👍

[@robinbhairam7508]

I took up photography a couple of years ago to decompress after 30 years in a stressful and traumatic based career. I’m still learning (and suspect I always will be), and have yet to find ‘my purpose’ though it is a question I ask and sometimes jot in my journal EVERYDAY …

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

"Purpose" can take different forms for different people. Hope you find yours with your photography ✊

[@mukhtaaraxmed2129]

Can you please tell me the best time that I may get better lights

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Around sunrise and sunset are good times to take pictures outside. If you're indoors, look out for the light from windows or artificial lights. If you're shooting at nighttime, look out for the artificial lights from shops, street lights etc. All can be used to make interesting photos.

[@mukhtaaraxmed2129]

@@SeanGallagherPhotographer thank you so much for your advice

[@BettyBee8]

Do I need to copyright my photographs, before uploading them to sale sites ?

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Hi Eva. Good question. I've made it part of my practice to register my images with the US Copyright office.You may want to consider doing the same if you have concerns your images may be infringed: www.copyright.gov/

[@BettyBee8]

@@SeanGallagherPhotographer Than you so much , for the response. I will definitely pick the ones I have the most concerns about , to copyright . Great channel, so happy I found it 😊

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

@@BettyBee8 Thanks for following ✊️

[@jamespowers8826]

It's a bit of a truism that the difference between an amateur and a professional photographer is that no one ever sees the professional's bad photos. The trash can is your friend.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

You're right, James. Effective editing is the "secret power"!

[@robmcd]

But I shoot a Leica so every photo is pure artistry.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Doesn't it get boring for Leica owners who take perfect pictures all the time? 😉

[@luzr6613]

I'm a little uncertain as to what is to be understood by the term 'Professional Photographer'. The common understanding at this moment in history is probably something along the lines of a photographer who does it as a job. But, of course, whether or not someone draws an income from an activity tells us nothing about the quality of their performance. And so to the second and less common understanding of the term which is all about process and result. A particularly successful Coach in a particular elite activity made the distinction clearly and well: 'The difference between the Professional and the Amateur is that the Professional is dedicated to the total eradication of error. It has nothing whatsoever to do with money.' Obviously drawing this distinction is also historically located - roll back a Century or two and the Professional was very much someone paid to perform a task - play cricket, for instance - while many of the minds that laid the foundations of the Modern World where Amateurs - those with the time and freedom from want to pursue excellence and 'the total eradication of error' in their work.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Thanks for the comment. Being a photographer is my full-time job.

[@Defectsrecords]

ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴛᴜᴛᴏʀɪᴀʟ

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@Juventinos]

everything you say I employ religiously. they are very good tips, but i wouldn't of got them if i wasn't already doing them, I don't know how to explain it. My main issue is I'm overly critic with my photos and i don't know how to snap out of it

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

It's okay to be critical. Maybe show your work and discuss your images with other photographers you respect, to get their opinions. This may help.

[@jimward9551]

"Plan around the light" - Thats a secret???? Come on Sean!! You're better than that!!

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Well, I hope the other 4 tips were at least useful 😆

[@DynastyUK]

You would be surprised how many people haven't actually experimented with light. It's such a basic one, that some overlook. I've known people to spend 1000s on a model and gone out at the worst possible times. The images looks good, but I can't help but think it would have looked better.

[@joanneabramson2645]

"Follow the light" is more common sense, but often ignored. Sean is right to include it and remind us.

[@tedbrown7908]

Ok, What, is as you say, the best light? Your description of "Best Light" could be very different than someone else's description. In other words, Light is subjective in photography.

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Chase the light that works for you ☀️📸

[@austinbruce2422]

Absolutely none of these are secrets...

[@SeanGallagherPhotographer]

Maybe that's the final secret... there are no secrets 🤫

[@crajo463]

These may be more "lessons" than "secrets," but they're important to remember nonetheless.... and many people still haven't learned them (I've learned them and they're still important reminders). I shoot for several hours of almost every day (wildlife photographer). I constantly encounter other photographers who recognize that light is important but they don't know how to anticipate the kind of light they want in the places they want to shoot (for example, Photopills, Planit, etc. or just scouting locations). Other photographers constantly ask me why I keep returning to the same location when there are other places to shoot. And I cannot count the number of photographers I know who "hate" editing so much that they shoot jpegs to avoid having to edit RAW files.