10 Common Photography Mistakes to Avoid

Managing Editor Taya Iv offers some suggestions for avoiding common mistakes made by photographers. In the accompanying video, she discusses a few of these mistakes in greater detail with Photo Masters founder Ian Plant.

In photography, there are things you can avoid to have better photoshoots and to enjoy your work on a deeper level. These aren't "rules", but you can treat them like guidelines if you're going through a creative rut or if you just need a boost of inspiration.

Learning from these 10 common photography mistakes helped me improve significantly as a photographer. I hope that my experience can help you in some way, too.

Also, I had the chance to speak with Photo Masters founder Ian Plant on this topic. Check out the video below to find out our thoughts on some of the most common photography mistakes.

If you have any problems watching the embedded video, you can also watch it here.

1. Relying Too Much on Other Photographers for Inspiration

There's nothing wrong with looking for inspiration and building a community of supportive photographers. However, you have to build a strong foundation for yourself, and that foundation has to be made up of your own values, preferences, and goals as a photographer. To achieve this, you need to spend quality time with your own camera. In the age of modern technology, it's very easy to get caught up in what other people are doing, so much so that you forget to enjoy the simple process of taking photographs that make you happy and teach you something new.

When I first started taking photographs, I relied heavily on other people’s opinions of my work. It's great to have mentors, but you should also develop your own taste by making mistakes, experimenting, and being as present as possible when you're with your camera. The less distracted you are, the easier it will be to become a much better photographer and not get lost in the comparison game.

2. Assuming That Recognition on Social Media Equals Success

Social media can open a lot of doors if you use it correctly, but it doesn't have to validate your work as a photographer. As many documentaries and educational videos have proven, the numbers on social media don't always equate to real life success. For example, just because your photos get thousands of likes on Instagram doesn't mean that you have thousands of clients. A large following doesn’t guarantee success.

If you get caught up in wanting to impress others with your work, you might end up taking photos that are trendy just to get approval. That will prevent you from experimenting with themes that you’d genuinely enjoy photographing.

You might also find that some of your photographs receive more praise than others, whether online or offline. Don't pay too much attention to what people like or dislike unless you're trying to start a business or sell prints! Even then, stay true to your unique vision and don't be afraid of trying something new, even if less people react to it.

It's much more important to connect with photographers on a deeper level by reaching out to them, offering to collaborate, and learning from people that you admire. Of course, you can do this on social media by directly reaching out to people, but it's also important to be present in the real world and find photographers in your area who can help you reach new heights.

3. Forcing a Popular Photography Technique That Doesn’t Work for You

Every photographer has their own style, which means that some of the most popular techniques out there might not work for some people. Learning from others is great, but remember to always stay true to your own intuition and experience.

When I started taking photos, I'd often plan my photoshoots in advance by sketching in a journal because a lot of people around me were doing the same thing. With time, I found myself enjoying my photoshoots less because I felt compelled to stick to my plans all the time. As a spontaneous person, I found a relaxed approach to photography much more appealing and inspiring. Staying true to that removed a lot of stress, which refreshed my creativity and ultimately helped me produce better photos.

This isn’t to say that one technique is superior to another; as long as it works for you, it's great! Having said that, I want to emphasise the importance of experimenting with techniques that are completely new to you. Even if something is out of your comfort zone, give it a try at least once and see if it helps you take better photographs.

4. Always Centering Subjects in Your Composition

If your subject is always at the center of your composition, your portfolio might end up looking dull and boring. To avoid this, experiment with different angles and compositions. Instead of centering your subject all the time, create negative space by positioning your subject at the very left or right of your composition. Include other elements in your composition, like diagonal lines, to lead the eye to your main subject and create a dynamic viewing experience.

I highly recommend taking the Ultimate Photography Composition Course on Photo Masters to improve your understanding of different elements and their relationships in any composition.

5. Relying Too Much on HDR

HDR (high dynamic range) photography allows you to exceed the limited dynamic range offered by digital capture. The effect is appealing because it can allow you to present scenes in a way that is more similar to how the human eye perceives things. However, an intense HDR look will have the opposite effect. If you lift your shadows and tone down your highlights too much in post, you'll end up with an unnatural-looking photograph.

To avoid this, don't go overboard with blending exposures and when adjusting your shadows or highlights (or any other settings, for that matter) in post. Subtlety will help you achieve a more realistic and appealing effect. Also, embracing the limited dynamic range of your camera is often a good thing. High-contrast and silhouette effects might not be what people perceive in reality, but they can offer your photographs a unique and artistic look.

6. Focusing on One Type of Photography

There’s nothing wrong with specialising in something, but you should push yourself out of your comfort zone from time to time.

In 2024, Ian Plant and Rick Sammon did a challenge together where they went out to take abstract photographs of architecture. In the video, Ian talks about how he didn't want to take any photos at first because abstract architecture is out of his comfort zone. However, when he actually started taking photographs, he was surprised by how inspired he was by all the shapes and textures around him.

In a similar way, you can push yourself to explore other genres that are completely new to you. Don’t be afraid of making silly mistakes or not knowing what you’re doing at all. Instead of focusing on the final product, try to enjoy the process of being an absolute beginner in something. It’s like learning a new language or visiting a new country; embrace all the uncertainty and document it creatively.

Additionally, why not immerse yourself in other kinds of art? Diving into another form of art can provide you with inspiration that photography can’t. You don't need to be a good painter, musician, or writer to enjoy these things. Paintings, music, and books can all help you grow creatively, especially if you’re tired of taking photos. Certain lyrics, colors, or even sounds could give you an unexpected burst of inspiration. The brain thrives on novelty, so introducing it to different art forms on a regular basis will keep you feeling refreshed as an artist.

7. Focusing on the Technical or Creative Side Only

Both the technical and creative sides of photography can expand your vision and help you make smarter decisions during your photoshoots. It's completely fine if you lean a little more towards one or the other, but neglecting one for the other will stunt your creative growth.

For example, focusing exclusively on technical settings may help you take photos that look professional but lack emotion. It's important to understand how your camera works, but it's also important to use your camera in a way that tells a story and resonates with the viewer. A great way to achieve this is to come up with themes for your photoshoots. It can be as simple as giving yourself a prompt or starting a project that explores different concepts. Here are a few examples:

• Stormscapes

• Textures on the ground

• Abandoned houses

• Infrared landscapes

• Minimalist portraits

If you lack technical knowledge, you can also give yourself prompts to familiarize yourself with your camera:

• Learn about focus stacking.

• Use only Manual Mode for a week.

• Experiment with intentional camera movement (ICM).

• Take photos using different ISO/shutter speed/aperture settings to figure out what kind of look you prefer in a given setting.

8. Worrying Too Much About Gear

By "worrying too much about gear", I mean not letting analysis paralysis overshadow your creativity when choosing what gear to bring with you to a shoot. If you take all of your lenses and camera accessories with you to a photoshoot, the penalty will be heavy camera bags and a lot of unnecessary overthinking.

For a lot of us, the biggest fear is missing out on a special moment because we failed to bring the right lens with us. While this is a valid concern, try looking at it from a different perspective: if you do end up needing a lens that you didn't bring with you, it's an opportunity to creatively use the lenses that you do have right now.

Instead of worrying so much about what to bring or not bring, focus on telling a story and on enjoying your surroundings. The more peaceful you are, the easier it'll be to take outstanding photographs and enjoy the present moment. If you're exhausted from lugging around too much gear, you're not going to have much positive energy left for creative expression.

9. Being Too Confident in Your Work

Neither insecurity nor arrogance will help you in your photography journey. When you feel that you've achieved something amazing, celebrate it and move on to a new challenge. Never settle just because you feel that you're good enough. If you settle, you'll get lazy. Laziness will drain your creative energy.

Regularly review your photographs and give yourself a pat on the back for making progress, but also look for opportunities to improve your vision. Being a photographer is a wonderful journey. For a lot of people, starting is the hardest part. The fact that you’re reading this, regardless of your experience, means that you want to continue improving and learning about the art of photography. That deserves praise!

10. Assuming That a Break Means That You’re Not a Real Photographer

This might sound silly, but I know a lot of people (including myself) who were once very afraid of not using their cameras on a daily or even weekly basis. We all have different priorities in life, and sometimes it's okay to not take photos for a while. After a refreshing break, you might return to photography feeling even more inspired than ever.

I took a very, very long break from photography a few years ago. The more time I spent away from my camera, the more worried I was about my status as a photographer. I was afraid that other people wouldn't accept me, but I was even more afraid of not being able to take photographs that I genuinely liked.

The truth is that I was stuck in my head, but I was also not letting myself take a proper break and enjoy other things in life. When I finally learned how to enjoy other hobbies, interact with people from different walks of life, and just be present, I was able to get back into photography peacefully.

Conclusion

I hope that this list inspires you to be more present and to enjoy the beauty of your own work. Now, it's your turn to let us know what kind of mistakes you wish you had avoided as a beginner in photography. Let us know in the comments!