How to become a more confident photographer

Confidence is worth it’s weight in gold in any arena.  As a photographer, there’s nothing like KNOWING you’re capable of “getting the shot.”  
There are thousand ways to gain confidence in your abilities as a photographer. Here are a few that I have found to be incredibly helpful. They will help you to be prepared for any shot and ready to get your settings right in a split second.  Feel free to add other ideas in the comment section below!

Shoot Frequently

This is the most important of any of the tips, so if you’re going to choose just one, let this be it because practice makes perfect.

• If you really want to gain confidence, you should be out shooting as much as you possibly can.  Perhaps it’s every day on your lunch hour.  If that’s the only window you have to consistently squeeze it in, fine.  Just be out shooting frequently and consistently.
• NOTHING can replace the benefits of just getting out there and shooting as often as you can. Practice makes perfect after all.

Shoot in Different Conditions

• Not only should you be shooting regularly, you should be out shooting in different conditions as often as possible to familiarize yourself with them. A lot of times as photographers we’re searching for good, easy, flat light that isn’t going to throw us any curve balls (ie open shade or an overcast day).  The reality of photography however is that you don’t always have so much control, so you need to be ready for any and everything at any given time.
• For example: maybe one week you practice shooting subjects that are backlit and the next you go out and shoot in low light. Just get out and shoot and shoot and shoot and then come home and record what you learn each day and keep noting it.

Set Goals

• Is there a particular technique you’d like to learn?  Perhaps there’s a shot you saw and you’d like to attempt to achieve a similar result. Write your goal down in your notebook and keep track of how far you’ve come.
• If you’re really brave (and committed to gaining confidence) I recommend that you set your goal publicly (like on your blog, a forum you participate in etc) so that you feel accountable.  Let people know that you’re working on something new and ask for their feedback and any tips they may have.  Then get out and practice like crazy until you get it figured out.

Read

• Now days there is so much information available for FREE!!!  What I has created here at PhotosAddiction really is remarkable.  Dig through the archives.  If you don’t find what you’re looking for you can always kick of an email to me.  No guarantees, but we really do want to give you what you want and need! We’re here to help you succeed!
• There are also many other FREE sources for you to learn about photography as listed in this post.

Ultimately confidence is a choice.  Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither are our skills as photographers!  But I really TRULY believe that with the tips listed above, you can soar above anything you’ve ever dreamed was possible and enjoy your passion for photography in a whole new way!