Mistakes Beginner Photographers Make: And How to Avoid Them

Starting out in photography can be an exciting, yet overwhelming experience. There’s so much to learn, from the technical aspects of your camera to the artistic side of composition and lighting. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and make a few mistakes along the way. But don’t worry! Mistakes are part of the learning process, and by recognizing them, you’ll be able to improve your skills and grow as a photographer faster.

In this post, I’m highlighting some of the most common mistakes beginner photographers make and offering tips on how to avoid them. Let’s dive in!

1. Relying Too Much on Auto Mode

When you first pick up a camera, it’s tempting to leave it in Auto mode and let the camera handle all the settings for you. But, by doing this, you miss out on learning the important controls that can elevate your photos. Shutter speed, aperture, and ISO all play a huge role in your images, and understanding how to adjust them gives you more creative control.

Solution: Start learning the basics of manual mode. You don’t need to shoot in full manual all the time, but getting familiar with your camera’s settings will help you become a better photographer. A great place to start is by experimenting with aperture priority or shutter priority mode to understand how each setting affects your images.

2. Ignoring Composition Basics

Composition is one of the most important aspects of photography. The rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing are all techniques that can significantly improve the visual appeal of your photos. As a beginner, you may be focused solely on technical settings and forget to think about how your subject is framed in the shot.

Solution: Pay attention to how your subject is positioned within the frame. Try to use the rule of thirds, where you divide the frame into nine equal parts and place your subject along those lines or at their intersections. Also, experiment with different angles and perspectives to create more dynamic compositions.

3. Not Paying Attention to Lighting

Lighting is everything in photography. A common mistake beginners make is not paying enough attention to how light impacts their photos. Whether it’s harsh sunlight, too little light, or mixed lighting sources, poor lighting can make or break your image.

Solution: Learn to see and control light. When shooting outdoors, pay attention to the time of day—early morning or late afternoon (golden hour) tends to produce the softest, most flattering light. When shooting indoors, try to use natural light from windows, and experiment with reflectors or additional light sources if needed. Understanding how light works will give you the confidence to shoot in almost any situation.

4. Using the Wrong Lens for the Job

As a beginner, it’s easy to get excited about all the lens options available and assume that the more lenses you have, the better your photos will be. However, choosing the wrong lens for your subject or scene can hinder your photos. For example, using a wide-angle lens for portraits may result in distortion, and using a telephoto lens for landscapes can make your photos feel cramped and unnatural.

Solution: Learn the strengths and weaknesses of different lenses. For portraits, a prime lens with a focal length between 50mm and 85mm is a great choice for flattering shots. For landscapes, a wide-angle lens (16mm to 35mm) will allow you to capture expansive views. Once you understand what lenses work best for certain subjects, you’ll be able to get the most out of your gear.

5. Not Understanding Depth of Field

Depth of field refers to how much of your photo is in focus from front to back. A shallow depth of field (blurry background) is often used in portraits to make the subject stand out, while a deep depth of field (everything in focus) is ideal for landscapes. Not understanding how to control depth of field can lead to distracting backgrounds or poorly composed photos.

Solution: Experiment with different aperture settings to control depth of field. A wide aperture (small f-number) like f/1.8 or f/2.8 will give you a shallow depth of field with a blurry background. A smaller aperture (larger f-number) like f/11 or f/16 will bring more of the image into focus. Understanding this will help you make creative decisions based on your subject and the story you want to tell.

6. Forgetting About White Balance

White balance ensures that the colors in your photo appear natural, as lighting conditions can sometimes cast strange color tones. Beginners often overlook white balance and may not realize their photos have an unnatural yellow or blue tint.

Solution: Adjust the white balance on your camera to match your shooting environment. If you're indoors, tungsten or fluorescent settings can help neutralize artificial lighting. If you're outside, the daylight setting will typically work well. You can also correct white balance in post-processing, but it’s best to get it right in-camera for the most natural results.

7. Over-Editing Your Photos

It’s tempting to go overboard with editing when you first start using programs like Lightroom or Photoshop. While editing is a powerful tool, it’s important to avoid over-editing, which can lead to unnatural or unrealistic-looking photos.

Solution: Aim for subtle edits that enhance the photo without completely altering it. Focus on adjusting exposure, contrast, and sharpness to make the photo look its best. Don’t rely too heavily on presets or filters—use them sparingly and adjust settings based on each individual photo.

8. Not Backing Up Your Photos

One of the biggest mistakes beginner photographers make is not backing up their images. Imagine losing hundreds or thousands of photos due to a computer crash or a corrupted memory card. Trust me, it’s a nightmare you don’t want to experience.

Solution: Make it a habit to back up your photos regularly. Use external hard drives, cloud storage services, or a combination of both to store your images safely. Having multiple backups ensures that your hard work isn’t lost forever.

9. Getting Too Focused on Gear

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that better gear equals better photos. However, photography is much more about your skills and creativity than it is about having the latest camera or lens. Gear is important, but it shouldn’t be your sole focus.

Solution: Focus on improving your technique and learning the basics of composition, lighting, and exposure before investing in new gear. Once you feel confident in your skills, then you can start considering new equipment that will help you elevate your work.

10. Being Afraid to Experiment

Many beginner photographers stick to what they know, afraid to step out of their comfort zone. While it’s important to learn the basics, don’t be afraid to try new things! Whether it’s experimenting with a new lens, trying long exposure photography, or capturing candid moments, stepping outside of your comfort zone is the best way to grow as a photographer.

Solution: Allow yourself to experiment! Try new techniques, take risks, and embrace the mistakes along the way. You’ll be surprised at how much you can learn when you let go of perfection and just enjoy the process.