When people ask me what photography equipment I prefer most…I tell them my eyes.

Some pictures truly are worth a thousand words, while others simply leave us speechless.  Whatever the case may be, the fact remains that beautiful images are a universal language. Over the past ten years I have used various cameras, traveled to hundreds of cities worldwide, and taken millions of photos (okay maybe more like several thousands, but it sure does seem like millions); nonetheless, throughout this duration, here are a few observations I’ve made that are worth sharing.

Steps Toward Taking Amazing Photos

Mt. Daisen from the Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park

You don’t need several thousands of dollars worth of photography equipment to take amazing photos.

Sometimes you may have to get into an uncomfortable position. Sometimes you will have to brave through various different types of weather. But at the end of the day, beautiful pictures can be created with even the simplest devices.  I took the photograph above with a basic point and shoot camera. The image required absolutely no post-photo editing or doctoring.  I simply looked at the scene in front of me, stretched out across the pavement to capture the angle I desired, and clicked away.

Go where the action is.

If you have an idea of the type of images you would like to shoot, then put yourself in a position to capture those images.  Many years ago, before digital cameras or smartphones, my mother was known to always have a disposable camera close by.  These cameras were as basic as you could get, yet at the same time invaluable.

Mom, being the innovator she was, had her own funny, yet effective, way of getting right in on all the action. Whenever she couldn’t get close enough to take a picture she would simply use “manual zoom,” which consisted of her physically running closer to the image before taking the photo.

Develop your “photographer’s eye.” 

Before spending tons of money on fancy cameras and lenses, I recommend simply developing your “photographer’s eye.” This can be done by first perfecting your skills with whatever device or devices you currently own.  Always be prepared to capture an image. Additionally, learn to recognize the beauty in all things. Experiment with perspective and lighting to create unique images. And, perhaps most importantly as you seek to improve your ability, invest in education (which can be found free all over the internet) before investing in equipment.

What further advice would you give to the budding photographer? Let us know in the comments below!