ELIA’S ESSENTIALS
1 PRACTISE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
The more you shoot, the more you’ll learn. The bottom line is that in order to improve as a photographer, you must be out there shooting as much as possible.
2 SHOOT IN RAW
Whether you’re shooting with an iPhone or a DSLR, make sure you always shoot in RAW instead of JPEG. This will give you much more control in post-processing and over the final quality of the image.
3 FOCUS ON EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Investing in knowledge, education and experience will always be more valuable than the gear you are shooting with. Consider investing in a few photography courses that teach you how to get the most out of each location you visit.
4 TIMING IS EVERYTHING
The subject of the photo is really only part of the equation. Make sure to also focus on the appropriate time of day in order to take advantage of the best lighting conditions possible.
5 WATCH THE WEATHER
Weather can become the single most important element that will set a landscape photo apart from the rest. Learn to always watch the sky in order to anticipate unique skies and conditions.
6 DON’T BECOME DISCOURAGED
Expect that out of hundreds of photos, there may only be one or two portfolio-worthy pieces. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t come away with exactly what you want during your first attempt. Often times, it can take multiple visits to achieve your creative vision.
7 TRAVEL LONGER
The more time you can spend in each location, the better your chances are of coming away with portfolio-quality work. Try to invest at least an extra day or two to allow for variations in weather.
8 ALWAYS USE A TRIPOD
Try to always shoot using a tripod. In low-light situations, this will allow you to capture a scene using the best camera settings possible.
9 EXPERIMENTATION IS KEY
Challenge yourself to create a unique style in your work. This always requires experimentation until you get it right.
10 GO WITH ALL YOUR HEART
Wherever you go, go with all of your heart. The best photographer out there is the one having the most fun.