Photography Starter Checklist

1. Gather your supplies

• A phone or simple camera
• Good natural light
• Curiosity about everyday subjects
• A free photo app to organize shots

2. Your first project

3. Your first month, step by step

• Week 1: Get comfortable with the camera you already own, even if that is your phone. Just shoot. Take photos of everyday things around the house and yard, learn where the shutter button is, and practice holding the camera steady with both hands.
• Week 2: Learn the rule of thirds and start composing on purpose. Turn on the grid lines in your camera or phone settings and place your subject off-center. Notice how much stronger a photo feels when it is not dead center.
• Week 3: Chase good light. Take the same scene early in the morning, at midday, and in the soft hour before sunset, and compare. You will quickly see that soft, low-angle light makes almost everything look better.
• Week 4: Try a simple edit. Pick your ten favorite shots from the month and lightly adjust brightness, contrast, and crop in a free app. Then print one or share it with family, your first finished photo.

4. Mistakes to avoid

• Always shooting on full auto. Auto is fine to start, but it makes every decision for you. Try Portrait mode or aperture priority to begin steering the look yourself.
• Ignoring the light. Harsh midday sun creates squinting faces and ugly shadows. Move into open shade or shoot in the softer light of early morning or late afternoon.
• Centering every subject. Putting everything dead center makes flat, static photos. Use the rule of thirds and place your subject off to one side.
• Blurry photos from camera shake. Holding the camera with one hand or jabbing the shutter causes blur. Brace your elbows, use both hands, and gently press, or rest on a railing, table, or tripod.
• Standing too far back. Beginners often shoot from across the room. Step closer or zoom in so your subject actually fills the frame.
• Over-editing. Cranking saturation and filters to the max makes photos look fake. A light touch almost always looks more natural and more professional.