Learning the basics of any subject is essential to understand it better and perform well — and photography is no exception. No matter what type of photography you’re interested in, it's important to understand not just how to use the gear, but also the technology behind it, image processing, and much more. Let me share my experience with learning photography.
Apart from actually going out and taking photos, most of my learning happened online — through YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and reading various articles. In photography, both capturing the photo and processing the image are equally important. You can’t become a good photographer by learning only one and ignoring the other.
YouTube is an amazing platform to start with. You can learn everything from how a camera works to how to print and sell your photos. Videos are especially helpful because they show practical examples and demonstrations. Some channels even have playlists that cover all the basics in a structured way. The same goes for image editing — there are tons of useful tutorials available.
If you ever get stuck or have doubts, Google offers endless articles that can help you dive deeper. There’s no limit to how much you can learn if you’re curious and motivated.
Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are also great for learning. You can follow and sometimes even interact with top photographers from around the world. One of the best ways to improve your photography is by studying the work of professionals. Look closely at how they compose a shot, use light, capture timing, and process their images. Personally, I zoom into their photos to understand the finer details. When you see great work, it naturally pushes you to improve your own.
And the best part? Most of this content is completely free. If you’re willing to invest more, there are also paid online workshops for image editing that go into great detail. But with patience and time, you can also teach yourself using free tutorials and image processing software.
So what are you waiting for? Grab any camera you have and start shooting. Learn what your gear can and can’t do. Experiment with light, try different focal lengths, angles, and compositions. The more you shoot, the more you'll grow. Every frame teaches you something new — just keep learning, and always approach photography with the curiosity of a student.
