10 Photography Tips Everybody Needs to Know
Whether you’ve just picked up your first DSLR or you’re snapping away on a smartphone, there are a few golden rules in photography that can instantly improve the way your images look.
These photography tips aren’t about having the most expensive gear — they’re about making smarter, more creative decisions every time you hit the shutter, and fortunately, the Blanc. Creative team are here to give you the heads-up and help you on your way.
Why? Because we’ve spent thirteen years building a respected Norwich Commercial Photography business, and we know exactly;y what it’s like to try and navigate the world of hints and tips, because there are som any out there.
So we’re getting straight into things and have picked out our 10 Ten Photography Tips, that you MUST know about.
10 Photography Tips That will make your work look better
1. The Only Joints You Carve Are at the Dining Table
One of the most common mistakes beginners make is cropping at the wrong place.
Never, and we mean never, crop your subject at the knees, ankles, wrists or elbows. It looks awkward and unnatural.
Think of your subject’s limbs as visual flow — breaking them at a joint disrupts the energy of your image.
If you’re shooting portraits or full-body shots, aim to crop mid-thigh or mid-arm instead. It’s a small shift that makes a massive difference.
2. Shoot in Manual — Always. This is one of our most important of the 10 Photography Tips
Forget Auto. Seriously. If you want to control your camera rather than letting it guess for you, Manual Mode is where the magic happens.
Shooting in manual gives you the reins over shutter speed, aperture and ISO — the building blocks of every shot.
Want motion blur? Freeze action? Create creamy background blur? You’ll never do it properly in Auto.
It might feel overwhelming at first, but once you crack it, you’ll never look back. Control the exposure. Control the outcome.
And the besting, is that we’ve got a link right here that will talk you through every single thing you need to know about the exposure triangle and shooting in Manual. DO NOT MISS THIS POST.
3. Shoot RAW or Regret It
RAW is the only format you need — unless you’re a press photographer on a deadline, uploading images straight from the field with no time to edit. We can’t stress how important this rates in our 10 Photography Tips.
For everyone else: shoot RAW. It’s one of our best 10 Photography Tips Everybody Beginner Needs. Unlike JPEGs, which compress and throw away data the second you take the shot, RAW files keep everything. More detail, more flexibility in post, more room to recover shadows, highlights, and fix white balance if you’ve got it wrong.
Aim to shoot the best possible image in the first place, because you don’t want to use 6 apps to correct an image, but Raw is forgiving – to a point. It’s your digital negative.
Shooting JPEG-only is like baking a cake and chucking out the recipe — you can’t go back and tweak it.
4. Light Is Everything
Photography literally means “drawing with light”. Understanding light — its direction, quality, and colour — is one of the most important photography tips you’ll ever hear.
Soft natural light (like on an overcast day or during golden hour) is flattering, especially for portraits.
Avoid harsh midday sun unless you’re deliberately going for a strong, shadow-heavy look.
Get used to watching how light falls on faces, buildings, or landscapes. It’s free, and it’s your most powerful tool. As a professional commercial photographer, I use flash and lighting, around 2% of the time, but always try to shoot in natural light unless you;re going for that overfished, dark, throw away fashion night vibe look. When pretty much anything goes.
5. Rule of Thirds — Learn It, Then Break It
The rule of thirds is a foundational composition technique.
Imagine your frame divided into nine equal parts by two horizontal and two vertical lines.
Placing your subject where those lines intersect often creates a more balanced and interesting image.
Once you’ve mastered this rule, start experimenting. Some of the most striking images come when you intentionally ignore the rules — but it helps to understand them first.
6. Focus on the Eyes
In portrait photography, the eyes are the soul of your image. If your subject’s eyes aren’t sharp, the whole photo can feel off.
Most modern cameras and phones offer eye-detection autofocus — use it!
When shooting with a wide aperture (like f/1.8 or f/2.8), depth of field is razor-thin, so nailing focus is critical. If all else fails, manually focus until the eyes are tack-sharp.
7. Clean Your Lens
It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many blurry, hazy images are simply down to a mucky lens.
Whether it’s fingerprints, dust, or the remnants of a rogue coffee splash, give your lens a regular wipe with a proper cleaning cloth. It’s a basic habit, but it’ll save you a world of frustration.
8. Don’t Rely on Filters — Fix It in Camera
I’ve mentioned this above, but it needs to be re-enforced.
There’s nothing wrong with editing, but don’t use filters as a crutch. If your photo needs five apps to look good, you probably missed something during the shoot.
Get your exposure, composition, and focus right in-camera. A good edit enhances a strong photo. It doesn’t rescue a weak one.
9. Backgrounds Matter
Great photos aren’t just about the subject — they’re about everything else in the frame. Watch your backgrounds like a hawk. Clutter, random people, bright colours or other distractions can impact on an image. That rogue lamppost growing out of someone’s head can ruin an otherwise perfect shot.
Simplify the scene or adjust your angle to keep the focus on your subject. Buy a lens with a massive aperture can take your photography to the next levels of bokeh and blowout backgrounds.
Investing in a 1.2, 1.4 or 1.8 lens will render beautiful portraits, be be careful of the separation at 1.2f because it can be as shallow as a nose being in focus and ears being blurred.
10. Take the Shot, Then Take One More
You think you’ve nailed the perfect image? Great. Now take another. And maybe one more after that.
Slight changes in expression, angle or light can turn a good shot into a killer one.
Don’t rely on luck — be deliberate. Professional photographers like ourselves often shoot dozens (or hundreds) of frames to get that one standout image. It’s why digital is so great.. Don;t worry about how many shots you take. Just hit delete on those surplus to requirements
Final Thoughts on our 10 Photography Tips Everybody Beginner Needs
These 10 photography tips aren’t just quick hacks — they’re foundational practices that help you think like a photographer. And the best part?
They’re all skills you can build without upgrading your gear.
Remember: Gear helps, but you make the image. So switch to manual, shoot RAW, watch the light, and pay attention to what’s in your frame.
Whether you’re out shooting golden hour in the countryside or documenting everyday life, your best shot might be one click — and one smart decision — away.
More tutorial and more advice from the world of photography!
What are your rights shooting in a public place in the UK?
Street photography can be one of the most rewarding and creative forms of image-making, but for many photographers in the UK, the experience can also be daunting when faced with challenges from security guards, members of the public, or even the police.
Our popular article on Photography Law is designed to give you the confidence to know your rights when shooting in a public place and to protect yourself when those rights are questioned.
The reality is that many people who confront photographers often don’t fully understand the law around privacy or what can and can’t be photographed on the streets of England.
In our guide, we strip away the confusion and explain the basics you need to know when approached or challenged about your work, so you can keep creating without unnecessary fear or conflict.
Find out about Photography Law and how to protect yourself on the streets when challenged.
Read our latest News articles and tutorials HERE
Does your business need a Norwich photographer or video team you can actually talk to? A team that deliver high-end visuals without breaking the bank.
At Blanc Creative, we’re more than just cameras and kit.
We’re a friendly creative team based right here in Norwich, working closely with businesses of all sizes to deliver standout content with personality.
Whether you need a professional Norwich photographer to capture your brand, a skilled team for Norwich video production, or full-service Norwich podcast production, we’ve got you covered.
With years of hands-on experience in commercial photography, cinematic video, and real-world podcasting, we take pride in producing content that doesn’t just look great—it connects.
From food shoots to factory floors, product launches to people-led stories, we love getting to know our clients and making the creative process feel easy and collaborative.
We’re big on visuals, but even bigger on relationships.
Need striking images for your business? Planning a promo film or social media content? Ready to launch a podcast but not sure where to start?
Let’s have a proper chat—no pressure, just honest advice. Give our office a call on 07871 364041 or email studio@blanc-creative.com
