How Photographers Get Better At What They Do

[@wmuromoto]

Excellent short video, Mr. Castein! I am a retired art and photography professor and your video encapsulates everything important in learning an art form!!! Keep doing these great videos. I really enjoy all of them!

[@charleslaird870]

This video is just plain nice. One of those rare vids that I left feeling a good bit better than when I came.

[@louisepaige9461]

Advice to photographer starting out: approach local business Take on assignments & shoot for free ! ( tell them it’s for practice only so there expectations are not high) Stretch yourself to produce images that are for client not your use. Just use it as practice. By pushing outside your comfort zone, & under pressure you will learn more. Even if learning from mistakes.

[@MartinCastein]

Exactly this!

[@legvalmont]

Couldn't agree more. It's about them, not us, in the end, I think.

[@jamesrobinson3663]

Martin, my advice for anyone new to photography, is to not only learn, but to master the exposure triangle. I remember when I started in photography back in 2015, I sweated bullets until I learned the exposure triangle. Now I don’t even think about it, I just subconsciously set my camera to suit the conditions or the mood I want to create. Until you learn this fundamental of photography, you’ll just be taking snapshots, and if you occasionally take a good photo, you won’t even know why it’s good.

[@Paul-q3f8j]

Martin I'm 69 ,i was given my first film camera at 10 Years old, so I've been a beginner for 59 Years Wow🙄, I've always taken close up's that mean nothing to anyone,recently I've been getting foreground, middle ground & background in my photographs, much more pleasing to my eye's more enjoyable,hopefully creating a story, so what do you think to that young fella, the old dog learning something New, a bit late but whatever. hope your keeping Well. Paul

[@photom3]

Although I’ve been shooting off and on since 82 I’m still on the first step. So I can only agree. Don’t know what I could add. I’ve learned a lot from your videos. Knowledge exceeds experience at this point.

[@albedo0point39]

These are great insights Martin. I’ve often thought that an underdeveloped skill in many photographers is developing of art appreciation - by actually going to galleries, buying photo books, just getting out there and learning to see the world. I think of it like being a chef. Cooking good food is about having those skills, techniques and craft well practiced, but that needs to be within the feedback loop of knowing what taste is, and being able to apply it critically to one’s own creations. You need to develop your palette and sample lots of other cuisines to get there.

[@MartinCastein]

very nice point!

[@mberggren9768]

Great video as usual. I work as a teacher. Ages 11 to 16. Whenever I ask the question “what would you like to do when you grow up” the most common answers are usually these: The boys want to become famous footballers and the girls wants to become influencers. When I ask the what they are doing to make this happen, the problem starts to show. They usually don’t have a clue what is involved in those professions. They think it will happen by itself. It’s all about goals. If you put up reasonable goals, you will have reasonable chances of achieving them. I see this a lot when it comes to photography as well. People want to become professional photographers, but they think they can skip large chunks of the basics by buying the most trendy gear or throw around the right buzzwords. I sometimes ask them if they want to become photographers or if they want to know how to take good photos? I have no interest in becoming a professional photographer. Never had. Photography is only a hobby to me. But I do like to learn new stuff, and enjoy understanding new parts of photography. As an example I’ve been bad at speed lights, and almost completely avoided them. But I decided to learn how to use them, and have been trying to do so for the last six months. I’m still clearly a beginner using them, but at least I can see that they can help me get better results. The goal wasn’t to become an expert directly, but to get a basic understanding on how to use them. Achievable goals….

[@BS_Patrol]

As a new photographer who has been watching all the flashy gear videos but is feeling discontent with all the noise lately - your videos are soothing and informative. Clarity. I too have developed GAS and have been feeling that the real solution is to get out and shoot more. Thank you sir.

[@jacobjurg3746]

Great vid again Martin! As if you describe my journey (still at base camp😅). My advice would be: shoot every day, even if it’s just with your phone, secondly: look at lots of pictures and art, and thirdly: yes, quantity over quality, but: restrict yourself. Shoot lots of photos with a certain focal length, and only that focal length, for a while. Only shoot in landscape or portrait mode. Only shoot in b/w. Etc. etc. Helps me to keeping hope on climbing that mountain eventually.

[@nyamabok3914]

Some of the greatest photography advice I've ever heard. thank you.

[@MartinCastein]

Wow, thanks!

[@kunstfuhrer]

As always, great video! Your point of view is so clear and the information you share is priceless. Thank you for your work

[@Pheby01]

Great video Martin, I like the part where you fully quote the "Jack of all trades" saying. I often point out the full saying in discussions. Inspiring video.

[@stevepage2369]

Great advice . . . it is a long houl ( love it ) . . . I was the typical starter ie I thought i was good because most people were going wow at my work. . . How wrong was I ... Been shooting street/ live gigs / portraits/macro and anything else I can point my camera at for about 3 years now and I know I've still got along way to go ... Mistakes are for learning from and boy I still make loads .. Also soon as you realise it's not the gear that makes a great images . . . But You . . . Then improvements start too happen . . .

[@mannyshiff]

This really helped concentrate and focus my mind back to why I enjoyed photography in the first place! Great video Martin.

[@kiwipics4003]

My advice to a beginner would come from many years of shooting. Just like the seasons of the year, I've learnt to recognise and embrace these seasons in shooting. SPRING...When the new ideas and spontaneous bursts of energy lead me into new and passion filled things. I typically throw myselft into these times and revel in it. SUMMER- The warm luxurious season as the new competenceis of Spring find full voice. Some of my best work happens here. The mature image. AUTUMN- What was so much fun, folly and festive in spring and summer, is now waning. I'm not bored, but sense 'the gold rush' is almost done. WINTER- The magic season. It kills off the pests, the distractions, the frivolities. I often stop shooting for a bit. It's during winter when I deep dive into what's changed, what I've learnt and where my heart is now. Reflection, acknowledgement, good coffe by myself, solitude and enlightenment. The magic season. Your advice to shoot a lot is absolutely bang on. Enjoy the process, understand and embrace the seasons and the gear, the vids, the other noise will sort themselves out.

[@MartinCastein]

Love this post, excellent

[@Sven-R]

Make a list of nice things (where you are sure it’s not just because people told you what you want to hear) you heard about your photos. Make it like a Word-File or anything like that, where you put the photo and the comment next to it you received. Whenever you have doubts about your photography, visit that list.

[@nickmcgrath8931]

I’m a beginner… thank you, inspirational. It’s been a difficult journey for me, and incredibly absorbing. Mostly nature photography as I wander about in retirement.

[@dylanhill1640]

I have never been one to rush anything in my photography journey. Taking the time to perfect my craft has paid of in so many ways.

[@raymcgrath4116]

Brillianty encapsulates what all photographers need to remind themselves of from time to time. Great video.

[@vintagevantics]

Well that really is a stunning video. Very helpful. For me your best video to date. Thank you!

[@Twobarpsi]

I'm just entering stage 3. Thankfully to you, I almost went into the "gear buying stage". Watching your videos convinced me to not buy new gear, so I bought a used 5d2. That decision is one of the best purchases I have ever made, artistically and financially! Now I will keep taking pictures. I have to admit I do not like editing, so that's something I need to work on.

[@MartinCastein]

I’m so glad you are happy with the 5d2, when it comes to editing it’s really really frustrating at the start but I promise you it’s worth the wait/effort that it takes.

[@MichaelPLibby]

Thanks for this video. I am not sure exactly what stage I am in, but one thing you hammered on was practice and I have seen myself grow by shooting a lot. I have mastered most of the basics of photography but lack at the creative side of it and so I started going around the place where I live and taking different pictures of different places. Some pictures may be normal pictures, but I do get those moments where I see something extra creative and the more I do it, the better I get. There is so much to photography that it takes a lot of practice for those things to come naturel for me at least. And creativity doesn't come forth out of stress and struggle, but when I am enjoying myself taking pictures. Oh and I shoot with a Canon 5D classic and love that camera!!!

[@jfphotography69]

In total I have owned five cameras in the twenty plus years of doing photography. The Nikon D70 which started me on this journey, sold when I bought the D200 "which I still own", moved to the D500, which I shot for five years then killed it in a freak mishap, bought a used D850 with 10K clicks on it, just when the mirrorless craze started, shot that for years, and still shoot it today, until I bought the Z9, mostly for video and it's larger buffer size compared to the D850, which even as of today is a beast of a camera and a pleasure to shoot, especially when the mirror starts slapping as you press the shutter button. Oh, and nothing is better than looking through an OVF.

[@chesterjohnson4504]

Man, this video is right on. I learn a lot and do not feel like I have to be a Master in any one aspect of photography. I tend to shoot a lot and have had too much equipment. However, I have learn a bit from each photo shoot or camera I have picked up. I am trying foremost to please myself first with the pictures I take. I know when I have made a good photograph. Yes, the good ones are few and far apart. Thanks for sharing your insights.

[@artsilva]

with cameras these days taking the work out of making a good standard photo, my advise to new photographers who want to not only take good photos but those who want to be creative, outside of shooting film I always express the need to get very acquainted to the exposure triangle and shoot and play with manual exposure settings so they will first hand understand how EVERY camera in the world works and how to trouble shoot any bad exposures.The fundamentals will get you everywhere and out of sticky situations. Secondly is composition and understanding light and shadow play in that composition and how to manipulate it to your creative advantage which in turn references the Fundimentals one needs to learn and master. My bonus tip is taking a drawing class, you'd be surprise the theories learned in drawing class and how to see tones and put it on paper, how that relates to photography; photo composition, framing and camera exposure.

[@LetiB76]

Martin you are like the Carl Jung of Photography....There is much resonance to your words ,that often times cut like a Swiss army knife with their truth , seeping into my subconscious mind late nights ..Ive noticed a more concious approach to my photography after discovering your channel. Thank You for the Deep photography Advice we must all have with ourselves and often avoid.

[@MartinCastein]

thank you, that high praise indeed! im glad you are finding my content useful, its harder than it looks! all the best!

[@sammys_erLeben]

Wonderful summary with my small extension, also try again and again to take the opposite point of view (whether in method or the want). Here I have experienced my biggest surprises.

[@martinekwall4671]

Fantastic advice! You explain it so well! I’ve been through all the stages you described but I feel now at the same time I have a ton more to learn. For a beginner I think composition is the first thing to practice on like what people do with their mobiles. All in auto but to practice composition. Then when got a hang of it comes learning light and how to expose. Composition is more straight and no technical stuff to go into. I think it’s the best starting point. Thanks for many great videos!

[@jurrevandermeer4857]

Hi Martin, recently found your channel and have been binging your videos ever since. Thanks for all the great content, I appreciate it as a beginner.

[@infinitesky-59]

I wish you had been on KZbin sooner too Martin, because you would have helped me jump start my stalled journey in photography much sooner. Excellent video as always.

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you, I was planning to from about 2013 and just keep putting it off. Glad I’m helping now at least.

[@deanrobertnoble138]

As a professional musician, going through those four stages has been a life’s work. In my early 20s, i would practise for upto 8 hours a day. Although a little arbitrary, Gladwell’s 10,000 hours gives us a rough idea. I’m not sure i have enough years to get to the final stage with photography despite having cameras since i was about 10 years old. However, i fully enjoy the process, the journey; the meaning in the making as Sean puts it. Great video again; thankyou!

[@raficknaseeven3533]

Many thanks. Really appreciate the advice and open minded approach. As an amateur after film photography I got a canon 60D. I always yearned at the full frame after listening to many videos. Finally got a 1DS mk 3. But the ease and practicality of carrying the 60 D around has left the big investment in full frame a mistake. Family laugh at me. Keeping a 700 pound camera home and going out with my old gear.

[@mberkland4671]

I love your advice Martin! It's exactly what I needed to hear. Last week I realized how much I need to learn and practice to get better. Wow that mountain is ominous! I got overwhelmed and depressed thinking about it and photography seemed much less fun. But I have recently made a plan for practice and I feel much better. Thank you so much for your encouraging words!!!

[@MartinCastein]

Ahhh please don’t get depressed remember it’s just one foot in front of the other for a long time. That’s the only way to climb any mountain. Looking up and worrying won’t change the climb. 🙂

[@kbarrett1844]

Excellent perspective and sage advice.

[@Zocral]

Great video and advice. I really enjoy your small talks on photography.

[@Fifthimagez]

One of your best videos, Martin thank you so much!

[@mattkemp9183]

Thanks Martin, another great and practical-useful video, keep em coming! 👌👏

[@dance2jam]

Martin, you are truly a beacon of light (let's call you a guide to unconscious competence) that is distinctive amongst the KZbin Universe. There are a lot of truths that resides within the four stages you lay out. The problem with the idiom "Practice makes Perfect", however, is that it is flawed for at least two reasons. First, practice without guidance (i.e. in the stage of unconscious incompetence), just makes permanent. Undisciplined and undirected efforts result in gains that go unrecognized, and can also solidify technique that will hamper future improvements. Perhaps the operative words should be "guided learning" is required, whether self-inflicted or with the help of others. An active engagement in the learning process is needed for positive progression to accrue. Then practice, with direction and purpose, can result in significant advancement in skill and its desired consequence (conscious competence, unconscious competence). Secondly, "Practice makes Perfect" suggests there is a "Perfect". Many photos of the same event can be taken with different settings, exposures, angles, lighting or undergo different editing, and can produce very different stories. They each provide a unique perspective of that moment, influenced through the human eyes of that photographer, but none can be called perfect. This, of course, is the beauty of art. None of those images can even scientifically reproduce the actual moment accurately (i.e. dynamic range or spatial representation). Thanks for your continued excellent content, input and efforts. Very much appreciated. Advice to beginners (because I am one with photography): 1. Don't be afraid to ask questions - of anyone. I've emailed through their personal sites some of the biggest names in photography in the United States. The majority of them answered me, gave excellent suggestions, and were happy to do so. If they don't answer you, it didn't hurt to ask. 2. Hang around others with more and less experience. Talk out your thoughts. 3. Look at the images of people whose work is admired, and that you like or don't like. Analyze what made their voice unique. 4. Never accept something as truth, until you've proven it to yourself. 5. Don't look for a "style", it will eventually find you. You can learn a lot by "copying" someone's style of work, but the point of that is to learn what they learned, and then use that to advance your own vision, not to become that other person 2.0. 6. Act on your ideas. They may result in total failure, but you'll learn more from that exercise than if you get it right. Lucky 7: Subscribe to the thought of trying on different styles. For myself, learning a new style of dance, improved my abilities at all of them. Learning Argentine Tango taught me more center, partnership, control and musical expression than nearly any other dance. Applied to photography: Take what you know about landscape and tilt-shift lenses, and apply them to portraits - (i.e. Joel Grimes).

[@deltatom2459]

well, that is so true 👍

[@hurleygreen927]

Appreciate this video and tips on improving ourselves as photographers...THANKS!

[@photobizmethod]

Interesting, I've been through all of these but never heard of this breakdown. I like it! :)

[@MichaelCantwell]

Very nice video with sound advice. My advice to a beginner would be to learn to shoot in manual and understand the concept behind it.

[@gapcreekonline948]

AMAZING video.. This is the first time ive heard the complete Jack of all trades saying.. And the rest of the video too has given me renewed hope ❤ thank you 😊

[@keitharchie8120]

Awesome advice. Appreciated. 💪🏾📸

[@bertjeeninga36]

Thank you for this video and your advice. You make things very clear and understandable

[@arthurfelig5629]

Another good upload Martin. Two pieces of advice I have heard... An accomplished master photographer was once asked... '' What advice would you give a young person thinking of embarking on a photographic career ? '' His reply - '' buy a guitar '' My favourite... '' f/8 and be there '' Arthur Fellig - (Weegee) Cheers Martin. 📷👍

[@scorpious1957]

My advice would be to take more photos and set a daily challenge maybe to shoot the same thing each day for a while with different settings and times of day but make notes to refer back to and see you progress

[@Digital_Photog1995]

THANKYOU!! Excellent advice

[@masekagerrard7468]

Always enjoy your videos. Thank you.

[@zyzzyva303]

Martin, excellent video. Thank you.

[@dayzrustream]

Thanks! That sounds quite inspiring!

[@louisepaige9461]

Love your chats, so much mirrors my experience. “Jack of all trades” or “yes but your technical “ are few comments I have said in slightly negative spin. However just as you say, the experience of learning product photography lighting I’ve been able to use in lifestyle or interiors. You speak like a true working photographer. Thankyou

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you!🙏

[@graememacdonald1088]

Really clear and useful take on things - I’m at the second step and it can be daunting, and a tad embarrassing in a way (which is plain dumb). But it’s also an interesting phase, full of head-slap and eureka moments :)

[@samanmahdiabadi]

started shooting with my phone , then borrowed a 1000D to learn it for good .... now saving up for a better gear ... this video is like Nitro for my engine ... pushing me to go there and do it ! I haven't done anything significant yet because I was afraid of getting mocked by people saying oh are you shooting with a 1000D from 15 years ago ?? .... thank you so much for this lovely video

[@outwestjim]

Your videos fantastic, thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@dmytrohryshyn]

Thank for sharing. As a beginner photographer I would suggest to be consistent. Currently I am practicing wildlife with manual focus lens. There is no way around than just produce a tone of bad photos at the beginning.

[@mariabrown3401]

Amazing sense 👏

[@MichaelPLibby]

Ohh and I am just starting to learn off camera flash. I made my home made softbox from some cardboard from a big box and some wrapping paper and a white garbage bag and am using that to learn off camera flash. I know its not perfect, but at least its a start to learn some of it.

[@Lanalana80]

I like watching your channel because you have a lot of things to share with people , and what you are saying is true. Thanks

[@kingluxephotography]

Great tips and thanks for trying to be helpful to beginners instead of preventing them from even wanting to get started! This industry needs to encourage others to learn properly so that it can continue throughout time. My advice would be to first learn camera basics to shoot in manual mode, then learn the exposure triangle. Shoot everything and anything you can from buildings to still life, portraits of people to animals, and vehicles to water. This will help with recognizing reflections, lines, and relativity of light to angles. Try different lenses and focal lengths even if you need to rent them. When portfolio building it is much better to choose a few models and do unpaid shoots in return for use of the photos than doing cheap sessions, because once you set the price expectation, it will be harder to increase and justify the price increase if you have become known as a shoot and burn or cheap photographer. This journey of becoming a professional is not a fast one. It is like any other professional industry (doctors, lawyers, mechanics, plumbers, electricians, anything really). You must invest in your education, your business and also learn the business part of the industry. To run a profitable photography business will take years of education, practice, investment in education, time and yes, money. Just be patient and do what you can as you grow. Enjoy the process and remember.......you only get out what you put in.

[@southeastgasservices]

I bought my first camer about 35 years ago, of course it was a film camera without a metering system. I had no utube videos to help me out. basically I learned the hard way.....the most important thing for beginners is to learn the basics, the exposure triangle, shutter speed/apperture settings/ISO. understanding how these work will lay the foundations for you. you will be a better photographer from day one.....

[@SoloVagant]

Simply wonderful Martin, so inspiring mate

[@stevesvids]

I've watched a few of your vids today. Subscribed 🙂😎📷👊 Very interesting in that anyone pursuing photography climbs the mountain of doubt . Im always so very nervous to share my work as I doubt my abilities, but would love to overcome that anxiety. In the mean time, I shoot daily and enjoy it. 😊😎📷👊🙂👋

[@andrewcroft2570]

Great video Martin, if I could put it into some scale on my person journey to learning photography it would be something like this. Theory (learning of YT etc. 10%) - Prictical (going out there and doing it) 30% and finally - learning by your mistakes made in practical 60%. let me know if anyone else agrees, please?

[@luzr6613]

Yes... and it's only ever 'Perfect practice that makes perfect'. And with that caveat, this channel's rather good to listen to. Lkd&Subd. All the best from a cabin in a swamp in a rainforest in Aotearoa-New Zealand.

[@MartinCastein]

That’s some location!!!!

[@luzr6613]

@@MartinCastein It's pretty good on the eye.....

[@alwynsmit3546]

I started out with a Fuji & shot in Auto. Then bought a Nikon D90 & shot in auto. Only when I went to manual, did I start learning through making mistakes. If I had to start over again, I would have gone with a 5d classic & a 24-105. The classic had no auto mode & would have forced me to learn faster. Full frame would have also been less forgiving, forcing me to think before I shoot

[@specialed2u]

I used to tell people that I "wanted" to be a photographer. I finally entered a local competition, and realized by the way the other competitors treated me - I AM a photographer. (Maybe not a great one - but I will continue my journey as a photographer)

[@lubos-ro3hy]

Great tips👌

[@MartinCastein]

Glad it was helpful!

[@actorjay]

Fantastic pep talk. I really appreciate what you said about editing and the quotes you gave. I need to buckle down and learn how to use OEM software to edit RAW files because I sure ain't gonna buy subscription software. Also, what you said about the stages of learning can be applied to any subject. I'll take that with me. Thank you, Sir.

[@NITISHVIPIN]

Sir, make on Nikon d600, live view, auto focus test and images quality in daylight and low Light please.

[@thorsrensen3162]

Often whenI have been shooting some “important” family events I have had some wrong settings on my camera such as high iso, jpeg instead of raw, exposure compensation +1 or strange focus point, stabilisation off or similar things.

[@baxtermarrison5361]

As a hobbiest portrait photographer, published and the odd commercial assignment, at stage 4, because it comes easy so to speak, makes the shoot feel less satisfying, at stage 3 you feel you have put in a shift to produce good images, the fact that it is easy seems oddly to diminish the satisfaction. As for 'getting it right in camera' is more about understand the limits of your camera and shooting to its strengths knowing what you will need to adjust in post. Not fixing a bad image in post, that way madness lies. For me, every day is a school day.

[@LambertFick]

Advice, don't get to fixated regarding systems and gear, as one progresses things that become essential is your lighting setup, stop chasing the latest and new versions of editing software. ISO use it, the only actual advantage of digital. Get your photography to pay for your advancements and photography related needs. Layers..

[@LambertFick]

Lately Facebook has become a problem, by having issues with sharing one's work from other platforms on Facebook. I don't know what their gripe is, but that is their stance.

[@Swingkid14]

People should print more to appreciate their work. A photocourse is often better spent money than new gear. I think social media takes up too much time and it make alot of photographers feel bad about their own stuff. In the end they photograph more to get Likes rather than actually taking images of what they want. Leaving instagram gave me 2 hours extra a day to photograph with a clear head. The more you photograph the better the images get. The better you get it right in camera the less time you have to spend in front of a computer, more time over for photography.

[@alantee1]

I must be dense, I simply cannot work out how to use instagram. I really find it intimidating, there is the assumption that we are all 12years old and fully get it. I have posted items but really don't know how to place my pictures on the platform. I can't find a tutorial that breaks down the process, without assuming prior knowledge. Any chance of a video for the septuagenarian numpty?

[@alangardner8596]

I would advise to study art and composition before you even pick up a camera. I have had art training and it always seems to give my photos the edge over those that do not understand composition or the objective of a photograph. For me photographs are either 'dead' or 'alive' make sure that you know the difference and can show the difference.

[@kf4294]

Editing vs retouching.

[@legvalmont]

I would say "gear is overrated". It's kinda like John Lennon said, I think "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans". I think it's a call to just go out there and shoot. Cellphones will do.

[@aerialfilm1]

My advice has always been learn to weld. Make your money elsewhere so can afford to pursue your passions.

[@Iamgeoffw]

Enjoy the ignorance! I miss the days when I didn’t know much about gear and just got excited about getting my subject in focus or a cool composition.