Photo How To

Experienced photographers sympathize with the plight of those of you who are just getting started because all recall the early days when none of our images seemed to meet expectations. Today we're enlisting the aid of long-time Australian pro Lachlan Garutti to shortcut your learning curve in a big way.

Garutti specializes in travel and adventure photography while driving through Europe in the van he calls home. Subscribers to his YouTube channel know him as "Lockie G" and appreciate his no-nonsense gear recommendations and no-fluff shooting tutorials. This eight-minute primer for beginners reveals what Garutti says are "six practical tips I wish I had learned sooner." And you can start using them to boost your confidence today.

Don't worry too much about digesting a bunch of technical stuff, because this lesson is more about mindset, process, and habits that will set you on the path toward success. Or as Garutti says, "just honest advice that will make you a better photographer

Garutti begins by listing a bunch of excuses you may have uttered yourself in frustration: How about, "there's nothing around me to photograph," or perhaps "I don't live anywhere exciting." And there are many, many more. If any of the excuses sound familiar it's time to put them away for good.

Instead of searching for a non-existent quick fix, we suggest you follow Garutti's six tips that all involve training your eye to see a good photo, "the number one skill that all new photographers need to improve." His number one tip is simply to find more time for photography. Depending upon circumstances, this could mean getting up early and shooting before work, a willingness to get out there in less-than-ideal conditions, joining a camera club, or shooting sparkling cityscapes late at night.

Another solid bit of advice is to focus less on the technicalities of equipment whether you shoot with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or even a sophisticated smartphone. At the onset there are other more pressing considerations in terms of refining how you view the world around you and the many opportunities it provides for capturing striking imagery with simple gear.

There are six tips on the docket, and by the time you're done watching you'll be well on the way to developing the "art of seeing." And those three words mean better photographs are coming soon. Be sure to visit Garutti's unique YouTube channel that focuses on inspirational how-to videos for elevating your skills with whatever gear you own.

We recently featured a beginners guide from another popular instructor who explains why you shouldn't believe everything you've heard about controlling depth of field when shooting photographs in the field.