The 20 Most Common Photography Questions (+Answers) in 2023

Mastering the art of photography is a journey that takes time and practice. Along the way, you’re likely to encounter various questions while shooting. This article has compiled a comprehensive list of common queries beginner photographers often have. We hope the answers provided will be valuable and beneficial for your photography career.

Camera Equipment

How do I choose a camera for beginners?

Many beginner photographers struggle when it comes to buying their first camera. There is a basic rule to follow: spend 80% of the budget on the camera and lens and the remaining 20% on accessories. For example, if you have a $1000 budget, spend $800 on the camera and lens and the remaining $200 for additional accessories like filters. Various camera brands are available, including Canon, Sony, Fujifilm, Pentax, Ricoh, and more. Choose a brand based on your preferences. However, apart from the brand, consider the type of camera you require for general use: mirrorless, DSLR, instant, or action camera.

• Mirrorless Cameras: lightweight and portable. Mirrorless cameras offer photographers more advanced autofocus systems. It is an excellent choice for photographers looking for image quality and lightweight design.
• DSLR Cameras – DSLR cameras provide users with excellent image quality, fast autofocus performance, and a wide range of lens options. It is well-suited for professional photographers who like versatility and advanced manual controls.
• Instant Cameras – Instant cameras are called polaroid or instant film cameras, which can produce printed images immediately after capturing images. It is also designed with lightweight, making it portable and easy to take pictures when travelling. The cameras are worth checking out because it can be used for casual and creative purposes.
• Action Cameras – Action cameras are designed to capture fast-paced and adventurous activities. They are compact and rugged and come with waterproof and shockproof features. Action cameras also offer wide-angle lenses, image stabilization, and the ability to shoot in various challenging environments. Gopro and DJI are the best brands in action cameras.

On Black Friday, should I upgrade the camera or lens first?

On big shopping days, such as Black Friday, many photographers aspire to update their camera equipment, specifically their camera and camera lens. If you have a sufficient budget, you should prioritize upgrading the camera and lens according to your needs. However, if you have a limited budget, it is important to consider that updating your camera lens can be a great choice.

For instance, transitioning from an instant camera to a high-quality mirrorless camera, you will experience significant improvements in various aspects. But if you switch from an APS-C camera to a full-frame camera, the differences for general use might be relatively minor. Or you may notice notable improvements when you use cameras in low-light conditions, which can enhance your photography experience. Additionally, the cameras tend to depreciate over time, especially with the continuous release of new camera models.

When you upgrade your camera lens, you can expect significant differences in general use and photography experience. Camera lenses come in various types, including wide-angle, telephoto, prime, macro, fisheye, and more. Each lens offers unique capabilities and can enhance specific aspects of your photography. These different camera lenses offer you different photography experiences. If you want to capture expansive landscapes, the wide lens is your choice. If you’re looking to capture some tiny creatures with excellent details, we recommend the macro lens. Using different camera lenses can provide you with unique experiences beyond what your camera alone can offer.

How can you tell the quality of a new camera lens?

Many camera lenses are great if you purchase one on Amazon or a brand store. But some camera lenses have some problems. Here are four simple methods to help you check out your new camera lens.

1. Set the camera’s aperture to its maximum value. Hold the camera lens facing towards a bright light source, such as a window or a lamp, after positioning the lens in a well-lit area of your house. Look through the camera lens from the front while keeping your eye at a safe distance. Slowly adjust the aperture settings while observing the lens to pay attention to any signs of scratches, dust particles, or mold/mildew spots;
2. Put your camera lens on the table and use a torchlight or strong light source to illuminate the lens. Position the light at different angles to create reflections on the lens surface. Then, detect any hidden or subtle scratches by highlighting different areas of the lens.
3. Slowly adjust the aperture from its maximum value to its minimum value. Pay close attention to the movement of the aperture blades when changing the aperture. If the adjusting aperture seems smooth, the aperture has no problems. Repeat the adjustment from the minimum to the maximum aperture.
4. Set the aperture to a minimum value to check for any potential oil-spilling issues on the camera lens’s aperture blades.

How to earn money from photography?

Photography comes in different types, including children’s, landscapes, events, travel, etc.

• 1. If you aspire to become a photographer who can generate higher income, it is advisable to select a specific genre that aligns with your passion and interests. During the early stages of your photography journey, trying out 3-4 photography genres to explore and identify your areas of interest is acceptable. 
•  2. You should improve your photography skills, including composition, color, and post-processing. It is essential to practice and refine your techniques. If you are seeking guidance on photography composition, I recommend reading our basic photography composition guide.
• 3. Viewing excellent images is a fantastic way to enhance your aesthetic sense and gain inspiration.
• 4. Joining a photography community, engaging in discussions about photography, and staying up-to-date with the latest news and trends.
• 5. To effectively promote yourself and your work, it is recommended that you upload your excellent images to popular platforms like Flickr, Instagram, or 500px. Sharing your work on these platforms will allow you to reach a broader audience and gain greater exposure.
• 6. Setting prices for photography services after conducting comprehensive market research and carefully evaluating factors such as your skills, experience, and other relevant considerations.

How do we choose filters?

We all know that there’s something magical about the filter. With filters, you can capture some amazing photos you can see. Filters have different types: UV, polarizing filters, neutral density, graduated neutral density, color filters and Infrared (IR) filters. All of these filters are enjoyable to use.

• UV – it can be used to reduce the effects of UV light and can enhance image clarity. They are particularly effective in situations where UV light is abundant. It is an excellent choice for protecting your camera lens for general use. I recommend a UV filter if you have a tight budget and only buy one filter.
• Polarizing Filters – Reducing glare and reflections from non-metallic surfaces is a big part of the allure, making them highly appealing to photographers. This characteristic is especially advantageous in landscape photography.
• Neutral Density – Using the natural density can reduce the light entering the lens. This filter excels when using longer exposure times or wider apertures in bright conditions, like capturing smooth-flowing water.
• Graduated Neutral Density -GND filters feature a gradient that smoothly transitions from dark to clear, resulting in balanced exposure between a bright sky and a darker foreground. They are often used in landscape photography.
• Color Filters- They can create artistic effects or adjust colour tones for creative photography.
• Infrared (IR) Filters – They are commonly used to block visible light and allow only infrared wavelengths to pass through.

What is the difference between JPG and RAW?

JPG is the most widely used file format for digital photographs. Your camera can be configured to capture and save images in different sizes of JPG. However, it’s important to note that when images are captured in this format, a significant amount of detail can be lost. RAW files are uncompressed and unprocessed captures that contain all the available details from the camera sensor.

What is the difference between JPG and PNG?

When you need an image for a website, a PNG can supply a good range of color, but if you are printing a photo, a JPG file is a more appropriate format and will give you a better result. Read our ultimate guide to learn more.

What’s the difference between the modelling lamp and flash in a studio light?

Many photographers often don’t know the difference between these two devices. In practice, the modelling lamp, also known as continuous light, can allow photographers to see the lighting effect a strobe light creates. The flash emits the light momentarily to compensate for the lack of brightness when shooting in low-light situations like indoors or night scenes. 

Black and White Photography

When should we opt for black and white photographs or take colour photos?

We know there are two types of photography: black and white and color photography. However, many photographers struggle with knowing when to choose between capturing black and white or color photographs. Here are some helpful tips:
Black and White Photography – Before capturing black and white photography, you should consider several photography elements: shapes, texture, lines, light, and significance.

• Shapes – If there are some elements of rectangles, squares and other shapes within your images, I recommend capturing them in black and white. This method can effectively highlight the aesthetic appeal and beauty of these shapes.
• Lines – If your images contain some straight lines, curved lines and other forms of lines, taking photos in black and white is recommended, drawing attention to the composition and unique qualities of the lines.
• Lights – Lights include sidelights, backlights and various other types of lighting. In such situations, photographers take photos in black and white, resulting in striking and dramatic effects within the images.
• Texture -You can feel the texture of the captured subjects.
• Significance – Black and white photography is distinct, showing a world we often perceive differently after removing colors. It evokes a sense of thinking or a connection to the past.

If your photography contains the aforementioned elements, capturing them in black and white is recommended. When it comes to color photography, offers several distinctive features: different emotions from different colors, cool and warm contrast and striking visual effects. It is important to select the appropriate method for capturing photos, considering your requirements and circumstances.

What are the recommended post-processing techniques for black-and-white photography?

1. Adjust the exposure – You can adjust the exposure to either brighten or darken the entire image.
2. Adjust the contrast – For black and white photos, there are two types of contrast: strong contrast, where there is a significant difference between the black and white tones, and weak contrast, where the gray areas are more prominent within the image. You can adjust the contrast according to your specific needs and preferences.
3.  Individually adjust the brightness of the highlights (bright areas), shadows (dark areas), and midtones (grey areas) within your images. 
4. Adjust a specific part of an image. For example, if you take a landscape photo with water and trees. For this image, it is recommended to selectively adjust the brightness of the water if it is prominent.

Pro tips: All adjustments made to an image should be aligned with your intended goals. 

What are the recommended preparations for black-and-white photography before capturing images?

You need to pay more attention to photography compositions, colors and lighting. We still understand the impact of colors when taking black-and-white photos, as these colors translate into varying brightness levels in black-and-white photography. For instance, yellow changes into a light shade of grey, while red and green tend to appear in darker tones, almost black. Therefore, if you have an interest in black and white photography, it is recommended to practice more and observe the changes between colors and the corresponding shades of black, grey, and white. Additionally, composition in photography plays a crucial role when colors are absent.

Portrait Photography

How to persuade someone to agree to be photographed?

• Express your intentions – Communicate with these people and tell them why you want to take pictures and your purpose for your project. Note: Be honest and open about your intentions.
• Share your excellent images -Share examples of your previous photography work to demonstrate your skills and artistic vision. Note: All previous photographs should showcase ordinary people at their best.
• Build Trust – Have communication with the person you want to photograph or share some information about yourself (such as your job, your age, etc) to build trust with the captured people.

In portrait photography, how should we adjust the white balance?

Firstly, capturing photos in RAW format is recommended to maintain high image quality and retain all the information in your images, even when they are compressed. Therefore, when using the RAW form to capture images, you don’t need to be overly concerned about white balance during the shooting. You can upload the images to post-processing software like Lightroom, where adjusting the white balance becomes more accessible and precise. Adjusting the white balance in post-processing is often simpler and more flexible than trying to achieve it perfectly while taking pictures.

However, some photographers have problems adjusting the white balance in post-processing software and prefer making adjustments to the white balance during photo-taking. Here are tips:

• a. if you want to take a picture showing nostalgia, I recommend increasing the white balance.
• b. If you want to capture a picture that conveys a sense of loneliness, it is recommended to decrease the white balance.
• Pro Tip: Avoid the skin appearing unnaturally blue. Adjust the white balance settings selectively on the person’s skin to ensure the colour remains natural and accurate. 
• c. If you are a business photographer or product photographer, it is indeed recommended to consider using gray cards to achieve accurate color.

How do we capture a compelling photo of humans and landscapes successfully? 

Many travellers and beginner photographers often struggle to capture satisfying images of people in beautiful landscapes. They aim to capture the perfect shot but often are unsatisfied with the results. There are two common challenges when capturing photos of people in landscapes. Firstly, not everyone has a “perfect” body shape like models, making individuals self-conscious. Secondly, many people may not know how to pose effectively during a photo shoot. To overcome these challenges, aim to capture images where the human subject is relatively small compared to the vast and powerful landscape. This composition can create a visually striking contrast and convey a sense of awe and grandeur. Like the below image:

How do we easily capture child photography?

• For many individuals, capturing meaningful and precious moments of a child’s growth is significant. However, parents often feel unfamiliar with child photography. Here are five simple and practical tips to help you get started:
  1. Select a clean and simple background – Avoid selecting cluttered or dirty backgrounds. Don’t choose a background with some bright colors such as red, yellow…
• 2. Avoid direct lights, including sunlight or artificial light – Direct lights easily create harsh shadows. If you want to take a great photo of your children, it is recommended to use scattered light. It is often better to capture photos when diffuse or scattered light is available on cloudy days.
• 3. Use low-angle and high-angle to take photos – Capturing your child’s shot from a low angle can create an engaging perspective that portrays you as a friend playing with them. This approach can result in interesting and captivating images. On the other hand, taking photos from a high angle can accentuate the child’s innocence and naivety.
• 4. Minimalist Style Made Easy – You should choose minimalist styles for your children’s outfits during the photo shoot.
• 5. Please use your behaviour to guide your children instead of commanding them – If you’re going to capture quite nature photos, it is advisable to guide your children and take some snapshots. Ordering or commanding your children to do some actions doesn’t work well.

Night Photography

How do we capture photos of lightning?

Capturing lightning is complicated and requires many steps and settings. Below are important steps you need to know:

1. Utilize a slow shutter speed: Using a slower shutter speed, such as 30 seconds, allows you to capture multiple lightning strikes within that duration;
2. Enable continuous shooting mode and utilize a shutter release cable: This combination helps you capture lightning continuously until the camera’s battery is depleted;
3. Opt for manual exposure mode: Set your camera to manual mode to fully control the exposure settings. Start with a 30-second shutter speed and adjust the exposure and ISO based on the lighting conditions. Keep in mind that a larger aperture will result in larger lightning bolts, while a smaller aperture will yield smaller bolts;
4. Please shut down the noise reduction, put the camera on the tripod, and turn off the stabilization;
5. Find a safe place.

When should we take night photography?

The best time to take night photography is dusk or half an hour after the sunset. At that moment, the sky is sapphire blue, which is so beautiful. But if you take night photos, which seem dull and lack some great details within images because it is too dark to see anything.

How do we capture lighting painting Photography?

Firstly, you need to know that if you want to capture lighting painting photography, it is recommended to capture photos with slow shutter speed. Please put your camera on the tripod steadily and bring a slow shutter speed control to help you start the shutter speed.

Secondly, when it comes to the aperture, please set the aperture smaller than f8. Then, you can set the shutter speed to 10s-60s, which mainly depends on the time of lighting painting. For example, if you want to paint excellent but complicated lighting, it may require 30. In terms of ISO, you need to set the ISO based on the light intensity of the surrounding environment. If you take bright pictures, lowering the ISO and setting the aperture to a small level are great choices. If you take dark pictures, I recommend improving the ISO, slowing the shutter speed, and avoiding setting the aperture to a larger level.

Finally, it has two methods when it comes to focusing. 1. You can choose the hyperfocal distance using a small aperture in appropriate lighting conditions. 2. If there are some still-life subjects like trees, houses, etc or some important subjects in the background within the frame, please focus these subjects automatically and then switch to manual focus and lock the results of automatic focus.

Weather

How do we take beautiful photos on a rainy day?

In practice, rainy days are a big chance to capture some excellent photos. Here are some tips below:

1. Capture some raindrops on the windows -This tip may help you get an image that is romantic and beautiful;
2. Consider capturing photos of people walking on the street with umbrellas. It is recommended to photograph them against the backlight, which will create captivating silhouettes of the individuals;
3. You can choose to take water reflection;

Note: Generally, a magnificent sunset glow may emerge after the downpour. Make sure to observe the enchanting beauty of the sunset glow.

Why do we enjoy taking snow photography?

In the winter, it is an excellent opportunity to take snow photographs, but would you think, why do we like taking snow photography? Here are some answers:

1. Simplicity – Because the whole background is white, it allows people to take pictures quickly. You don’t need to care more about colours, compositions, etc;
2. A great contrast in snow photography – there are many contrasting colours in snow photography. For example, the gray or black sky vs the white ground, or a woman with a red coat vs white ground, a black or brown tree vs white ground… You can find many interesting things if you discover these captured subjects.
3. A very precious moment to enjoy the snow – Not all places on the earth have snow in the winter, and not all the time allows us to enjoy the snow. Therefore, it is a very precious moment to capture snow photos.