RANKIN’S TOP TIPS

Think about light. Light is everything about photography. You need to fall in love with it.

Do not just rely on digital cameras. It is much better to learn how to take photographs in an analogue way. It doesn’t always have to be analogue but you need to learn the techniques. There is a good book called Langford’s Basic Guide To Photography that I recommend everyone reads. Take lots of photos. This is where you can lean into your phone or digital technology. The more you practice taking photographs, the better you’ll get.

Selfies have become synonymous with your camera phones but self-portraits are a practice that most photographers experiment with. It’s a good way of learning techniques but also learning who you are as a person. Try not just to take a two-dimensional branding image but really explore yourself as a person. It is always good to put yourself on that side of the camera as it reminds you what it’s like to be the subject.

Ask lots of questions. Being inquisitive is the one thread that connects most photographers. Whatever your subject matter, find out about it. Do your research.

Look at other people’s photographs. That doesn’t mean look at them on Instagram but go through the history of photography. There are so many genres, from fashion to documentary to street to portrait or even street or still life or landscapes. There are famous photographers in each category. Find out who they are and study them. Because of the digital revolution the history of photography has been lost and it’s time to resurrect it and find the other stars of the medium.