1001 free photography tips that you might be able to do without. But then again....

If you do a lot of detailed editing get a pen+tablet. Will save you lots of time, and is far more accurate.

THE RULE OF THIRDS For every $3,000 to spend on gear, spend $1,000 on a body, and $2,000 on one lens. Try to buy lenses that will fit FF cameras as well as crop in case you upgrade bodies.

For beginners especially, alway buy a bigger bag than the gear you have; you'll never have less "stuff."

nemo man wrote in post #8464601
THE RULE OF THIRDS For every $3,000 to spend on gear, spend $1,000 on a body, and $2,000 on one lens. Try to buy lenses that will fit FF cameras as well as crop in case you upgrade bodies.

I disagree; there are too many good crop lenses out there. Better to buy the lens you need for the job today.

If you can find a lens that covers FF and does the job you need it to do, then all the better. You may never ever go FF.

Benjamin

Not saying you are wrong at all, but in the interest of keeping this thread easy to read I have added an extra rule.

I put this in after your post. As this thread could get quite long it would be better for new-comers to be able to read it quickly. They won't bother otherwise.

Thanks

Rob

Do NOT be distressed or distracted about anything that anybody says at any time about your photography. Photography is art. Art is subjective. Subjective is in the eyes of the beholder. For all you know, your stuff could be better than their stuff... in the eyes of another beholder.

Keep a small notebook and pen in your camera bag. Make notes of anything to do with photography - locations, shot ideas, people phone number, anything.

Understand and place priority on the importance of purchasing quality glass. Excellent glass on a mediocre body has a better chance of creating a good image than mediocre glass on the world's best body.

Buy the best if you can afford it. If you can't afford it, consider waiting and saving until you can.

Don't be discouraged by those who say if it's been modified, it's not a picture and it doesn't count.

Some of the most awesome, jaw-dropping images have been created with the use of photoshop - sometimes heavy.

Most important is how the art is appreciated by the beholder, not how the artwork was produced.

(back on topic and trying to adhere to the posted rules...):

Print and matte and frame some pictures. Stop looking at your images solely on a monitor. You'll never fully appreciate what you have created until you see it hanging on a wall as a beautiful print.

Learn from others, but develop your own unique style. It make take some time, but analyze your images to determine what you like/dislike and change your technique accordingly.

When shooting a model for profit, or even just for fun, always get a signed released. Check their ID to make sure they are over the age of majority and can sign a release and record their date of birth and the ID number on the release.

A Stormjacket or even a large plastic bag and a rubber band can be used to protect your camera during inclement weather and will allow you continue shooting during wet conditions.

Many L lenses require a filter on the front of the camera to complete the weatherproofing. To do this, use the best filter you can afford to minimize the impact of the filter on image quality. Use multi-coated filters.

Don't ever hesitate to ask a question of another photog or in a forum, even one you think is embarrassingly simple. There was a time in absolutely everybody's life they didn't even know what aperture was.