Photo How To

We all make mistakes in our daily lives, and that includes shooting photographs. The best response is to not beat yourself up, but to learn from your errors so you don’t make the same mistake twice.

We regularly feature stories on common photo mistakes, most of which involve technical matters like poor composition, heavy-handing editing methods, improper camera settings, and the like. But these issues are all part of the natural learning curve and are to be expected.

In the video below, British photographer Dave McKeegan takes a more philosophical approach, noting that, “The biggest mistake I’ve seen beginners make is having the wrong mentality toward photography.” Specifically, he’s referring to a tendency to completely overestimate the impact the quality of your camera has on the quality of a finished image.

We’re all familiar with the old adage that “It’s the camera, not the photographer, that is the instrument.” And in the interesting video below, McKeegan explores this notion and offers his take on what it means for photographers striving to improve their work—especially those new to the craft. The good news is that with this important mindset you will capture more compelling images, while saving some cash in the process.

As McKeegan explains, while most of us appreciate fine equipment, a preoccupation with the latest and greatest gear can actually prove detrimental to your development as a photographer. So rather than spending thousands on an aspirational high-end camera with blazing-fast processing, great dynamic range, and high ISO capabilities, McKeegan encourages beginners to start with a beginners camera and learn how it works.

In short, the time to step up to a more advanced model is when the camera you own is holding you back. That way you’ll rely on your skills, not the camera, to deliver the great results you desire.

McKeegan’s take on this topic is really quite interesting, so we encourage you to watch the video and then head over to his YouTube channel for more thoughtful tutorials. And be sure to check out another story we posted, with more common shooting and editing mistakes to avoid.