New Year Resolutions for Photographers

Insure Your Equipment

Cameras are tools. They are not irreplaceable works of art. Camera equipment can be very expensive but it is meant to be used. If you spend more time worrying about your camera than yourself and avoid taking your camera with you for fear of damaging it, the camera is doing you no good. Get your equipment insured and stop worrying!

There are several options for insuring your camera equipment. One possibility is to join a professional photographer's organization. Some of these allow amateur members and also offer insurance through specialty insurers. You can also opt for personal property insurance. This is a separate policy taken out on your camera gear through many homeowner insurance companies.

Do Not Utter the "Phrase"

Some of you probably know exactly which phrase I'm talking about. Its a phrase that makes almost every photographer's blood boil. Unfortunately, we are almost all guilty of uttering it at one time or another. So what is the phrase? The phrase is almost always uttered right after viewing a great photo by someone else. Immediately after looking at the image the viewer turns to the photographer and says..."You must have a great camera!"

ARGHHHHH!!!!! Don't say it! For the love of all photographers in the world - do not utter the "phrase" this year!

Read Your Camera Manual

Time to do it. Sit down and read, really read, your camera's manual from cover to cover. Anything you don't understand, take the time to reread and try it on your camera. Anything you still don't understand, ask someone else or look it up. You have to know what your camera is capable of before you can make it do what you want it to do.

Take Your Camera Off of the Little Green Square Setting

Its time to take your camera off of that little green square setting where the camera thinks for you. Explore the action, shutter priority, aperture priority, and (gasp) manual modes this year.

Use Aperture Deliberately

This year, resolve to understand aperture and use it with purpose. It is more than just another way to make the exposure meter read dead center.

Buy a New Camera Strap

Its an often neglected piece of equipment. Its also the only thing that stands between your camera and a very nasty fall. Camera straps do wear out over time. If you haven't replaced yours in a while, do it now.

Understand Your Rights as a Photographer

There are tons of rumors and myths about what you can and cannot photograph. Take some time now to learn what the facts really are about photographer's rights.

Don't Let Anyone Belittle Your Work

There are basic mechanics of photography. Lighting, focus, composition, all of these things are judged by some fairly standard ideas by most people. However, there will always be those who belittle others to make themselves feel more important and those who don't like your work purely due to personal preferences. There are also the "equipment elitists" who think that only those with "professional" cameras can take good photos. Never let these people tear you down when there is a photo you really like. It is your photo and your right to like it just as it is.

Read a New Photography Book

It really doesn't matter which book you choose. Go to the bookstore or library and pick out one that looks interesting to you. It may be on aperture or it may be a collection of photographs of closets from a newly published photographer. Whether you are learning new techniques or studying the techniques of others, you are learning. The more you know, the more you can stretch your own images into your unique vision.

Make a Backdrop

Its time to stop griping about the cluttered mess in the background of your do-it-yourself family portraits. Just because you take a photo at home does not mean you have to tolerate 2 dozen kids toys and a stray sock peeking out from behind the couch. This year, take a couple of hours (that's all it takes) and make a professional-style backdrop. Its quick, its easy, and it will make a world of difference to your portraits!