Photography Tips and Tricks

Around a decade back, when I started photography with a basic point-and-shoot, I faced the same challenges as every other startup photographer - failing to capture optimally exposed images that are not blown out, out of focus, shaky, or grainy. I struggled with the basics of optics, photography postures, camera settings, framing, and composition. And last but not least, I trembled at even the thought of entering the dark and scary den of the monster named Photoshop. And today, I can proudly say I've tamed the beast along with a dozen other imaging apps to extract the most out of my photography.

Regarding videography, in my early days, I failed to capture footages that were optimally exposed, non-jittery, and cinematic. It also took me a lot of time to nail the optimum frame rates and other camera settings like black, gamma, knee, color depth, etc. for capturing regular and slow-motion footage. On top of that, video post-processing was completely an uncharted territory for me. And today, I’m glad to say I've trained myself in video editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production on DaVinci Resolve Studio, the #1 post-processing solution for Hollywood that has been used for color grading and/or editing of feature films like Alien: Covenant, Avatar, Best of Enemies, Jason Bourne, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, La La Land, Love & Mercy, Pirates of the Caribbean, Prometheus, Robin Hood, Spectre, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, X-Men: Apocalypse, and many more.

Speaking of my experience with camera gear, I upgraded my equipment multiple times, switched brands and ecosystems, and transitioned from DSLR to mirrorless. I used many half and full-frame sensor cameras, numerous lenses, varieties of filters, flashes, microphones, and other pieces of equipment. Based on my experience, I've now narrowed my gear down to a rather minimalistic setup that works for me.

So today, with my photographs and articles published in several renowned international magazines, journals, newspapers, and websites, I can safely proclaim that this journey of disciplined self-training is worth sharing. So through this series of articles, I intend to share my stories, experiences, and learnings over the years with my fellow photography and travel enthusiasts. I hope they help you in your photography journey!