Rec
I didn't start growing in my photography until I began intentionally taking photos on my iPhone 4s. Full auto. All I had control over was composition. I took more photos than I can count. It taught me what makes an interesting photo.
After that, I moved onto a camera that had full manual control over shutter speed, aperture, and iso. And took even more photos. This taught me the relationship between those factors and gave me more control over how my photos looked.
Finally, look at photos and take more photos. You'll learn.
After that, I moved onto a camera that had full manual control over shutter speed, aperture, and iso. And took even more photos. This taught me the relationship between those factors and gave me more control over how my photos looked.
Finally, look at photos and take more photos. You'll learn.
Jul 2, 2025
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šØIf you want to get better at photography, you should learn the basics.
Take an art class and focus on composition, balance, patterns, light, perspective, etc. When you feel like you have a good grasp, then move on to the camera.
Then you can play around and find out what your camera does, what features it has, how it performs in different lights and conditions. There are plenty of videos online that can help you get better at the technical aspect of photography, but the creative aspect has to come from you.
Oh and practice as much as possible. The best way to get good at it, is to just do it.
Take an art class and focus on composition, balance, patterns, light, perspective, etc. When you feel like you have a good grasp, then move on to the camera.
Then you can play around and find out what your camera does, what features it has, how it performs in different lights and conditions. There are plenty of videos online that can help you get better at the technical aspect of photography, but the creative aspect has to come from you.
Oh and practice as much as possible. The best way to get good at it, is to just do it.
Jan 12, 2025
Rec
š Iād try an intro photography course on Linked In Learning, Coursera, Skillshare, etc. You probably can try a weekor a month free for all of those.
You donāt need to be an expert, but learning fundamentals will help you a lot.
And youāll get an idea of different compositions that will help you see things in a more photographic way, too.
But mostly take a million photos! Back in my old days Iād have 24 precious frames of film at a time. With digital your frames are unlimited so use them with abandon!
As for general tips, get closer and fill the frame. You probably arenāt taking photos to be scenic postcards so your photos will be more effective if you compose more tightly around your subject.
Second, put that subject off-center in the frame.
Like every photography rule, these are made to be broken, but theyāre a good start.
Finally, back when I was shooting 24 frames at a time, I was happy to get 2 I really liked. You will make mistakes and most of your frames wonāt be āgood,ā but thatās part of photography and art and life in general.
Also finally, practice photography the way that makes you happy! Donāt judge yourself against anyone elseās work. āļøš
You donāt need to be an expert, but learning fundamentals will help you a lot.
And youāll get an idea of different compositions that will help you see things in a more photographic way, too.
But mostly take a million photos! Back in my old days Iād have 24 precious frames of film at a time. With digital your frames are unlimited so use them with abandon!
As for general tips, get closer and fill the frame. You probably arenāt taking photos to be scenic postcards so your photos will be more effective if you compose more tightly around your subject.
Second, put that subject off-center in the frame.
Like every photography rule, these are made to be broken, but theyāre a good start.
Finally, back when I was shooting 24 frames at a time, I was happy to get 2 I really liked. You will make mistakes and most of your frames wonāt be āgood,ā but thatās part of photography and art and life in general.
Also finally, practice photography the way that makes you happy! Donāt judge yourself against anyone elseās work. āļøš
Rec
šwhen i was only starting to take photos, i never called myself a photographer. even after five years and thousands of photos, after learning about color theory and compositional rules, researching different styles and diving deep into the history of photography, i didn't feel competent enough.
i never had a professional camera, and i never wanted to use one. i took photos with my phone, edited them in the apps and posted them in my profile after. i've tried using my friend's camera, but it was too much for me so i gave up and kept using only phone. i've thought that it made me unable to be a true photographer.
i changed my mind when i've found on Youtube video called "Pro Photographer, Cheap Camera", where professional photographers were challenged to took photos using old camera with bad quality. I saw how inspired they were by these limitations, how they tried to use different techniques to make better shots.
this video taught me many lessons, but the main one was that skill is the only thing that matters. you can take photos with your phone, web-camera, film camera, old toy camera with only 0.3px, and still be a photographer. and a good one too. so, if you are struggling now just like i did, watch this playlist. maybe it will help you too)
i never had a professional camera, and i never wanted to use one. i took photos with my phone, edited them in the apps and posted them in my profile after. i've tried using my friend's camera, but it was too much for me so i gave up and kept using only phone. i've thought that it made me unable to be a true photographer.
i changed my mind when i've found on Youtube video called "Pro Photographer, Cheap Camera", where professional photographers were challenged to took photos using old camera with bad quality. I saw how inspired they were by these limitations, how they tried to use different techniques to make better shots.
this video taught me many lessons, but the main one was that skill is the only thing that matters. you can take photos with your phone, web-camera, film camera, old toy camera with only 0.3px, and still be a photographer. and a good one too. so, if you are struggling now just like i did, watch this playlist. maybe it will help you too)
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Alright y'all, standards have gotten a little lax around here and rec quality has taken a dip (I'm including myself in this). Here are some pointers for High Rec Standards.
ANATOMY OF A REC: TITLEāThis is the rec or recommendations. This is NOT a lead in. Type exactly what you're recommending here. What appears in the Title should finish this sentence, "I recommend _____."
BODYāThis supports the rec and anything goes. Supporting statements, supporting essays, additional recs, you can get silly, you can pontificate. You can do anything you want. Except putting the main rec down here. Where does it go? That's right. In the Title š
IMAGEāNo rules. Add one to preference. It can be relevant or a non sequitur.
LINKāI highly recommend links but it's not as important as the Title or Body. If you are recommending something that has an online presence (music, movies, websites, products, etc.), Piffies want to click on it immediately. Don't make us google. Be kind a leave a link.
EMOJIāNo rules. Express yourself.
ANTI-RECS: They exist and they are valid recs. "Anti-Rec: _____" clearly communicates this is something best avoided. But a better way format this type of Rec is to use a modifier or verb that flows with "I recommend _____." Ex. I recommend... Not Eating Tacks, Avoiding Area X, Leaving Off the Anchovies, etc.ā(Formatting Anti-Recs this way first recommended by tyler the Creator)
ANATOMY OF AN ASK: TITLEāThis is the question or topic of the Ask. Asks can solicit advice or start a discussion. You have some flexibility here because the Ask is expected to be expounded upon in the body if it needs more context. Just be clear. Again, this is not a lead in. Be direct and ask the question or state the topic.
BODYāProvide more context. Narrow the recommendation field. Add relevant links. Remember, the Ask goes in the Title š
EMOJIāNo rules. Express yourself.
ANSWERING AN ASKāRecs on Asks can break style as dictated by the Ask. If the Ask is looking for Recs, give Recs following style. If it's asking for opinions, give your opinion. Asking for links? Give links! Respond however you would respond some someone IRL. Asks start a conversation so you can be more conversational. But keep in mind that these Recs will appear in the main feed. So where you can maintain Rec style, do so.
Example: WHATāS YOUR CURRENT LETTERBOXD TOP 4?
A response to this with High Rec Standards would look something like this: TITLEāLists your current Letterboxd top 4. You are recommending these four movies. BODYāFree reign here. Drop your Letterboxd @. Talk about the movies. Make a quip. Emoji. Relevant links. Nothing. IMAGEāOptional. Screenshot of your top four. Frame from a movie. Dealer's choice. LINKāAdd your Letterboxd profile only if you want to be found. EMOJIāWhatever. But it'd be nice if it was relevant.
DISCLAIMER: This is a living community document! These are only my recommendations for a foundation. Debate and Discussion of proper style are Encouraged. Any editions and changes to the PI.FYI STYLE GUIDE will be notated with attribution.
Changelog: 07.26.2024āClarified a Rec is not limited to one recommendation. Recs can recommend multiple things. Thanks to shegoestoanotherschool for identifying the issue. / Added guidance for Anti-Rec format. 02.11.2025āMoved SpongeBob Bubble Blowing Technique video link from the top level into the body ("some pointers") so the embed wouldn't override the High Quality instructional graphic.
ANATOMY OF A REC: TITLEāThis is the rec or recommendations. This is NOT a lead in. Type exactly what you're recommending here. What appears in the Title should finish this sentence, "I recommend _____."
BODYāThis supports the rec and anything goes. Supporting statements, supporting essays, additional recs, you can get silly, you can pontificate. You can do anything you want. Except putting the main rec down here. Where does it go? That's right. In the Title š
IMAGEāNo rules. Add one to preference. It can be relevant or a non sequitur.
LINKāI highly recommend links but it's not as important as the Title or Body. If you are recommending something that has an online presence (music, movies, websites, products, etc.), Piffies want to click on it immediately. Don't make us google. Be kind a leave a link.
EMOJIāNo rules. Express yourself.
ANTI-RECS: They exist and they are valid recs. "Anti-Rec: _____" clearly communicates this is something best avoided. But a better way format this type of Rec is to use a modifier or verb that flows with "I recommend _____." Ex. I recommend... Not Eating Tacks, Avoiding Area X, Leaving Off the Anchovies, etc.ā(Formatting Anti-Recs this way first recommended by tyler the Creator)
ANATOMY OF AN ASK: TITLEāThis is the question or topic of the Ask. Asks can solicit advice or start a discussion. You have some flexibility here because the Ask is expected to be expounded upon in the body if it needs more context. Just be clear. Again, this is not a lead in. Be direct and ask the question or state the topic.
BODYāProvide more context. Narrow the recommendation field. Add relevant links. Remember, the Ask goes in the Title š
EMOJIāNo rules. Express yourself.
ANSWERING AN ASKāRecs on Asks can break style as dictated by the Ask. If the Ask is looking for Recs, give Recs following style. If it's asking for opinions, give your opinion. Asking for links? Give links! Respond however you would respond some someone IRL. Asks start a conversation so you can be more conversational. But keep in mind that these Recs will appear in the main feed. So where you can maintain Rec style, do so.
Example: WHATāS YOUR CURRENT LETTERBOXD TOP 4?
A response to this with High Rec Standards would look something like this: TITLEāLists your current Letterboxd top 4. You are recommending these four movies. BODYāFree reign here. Drop your Letterboxd @. Talk about the movies. Make a quip. Emoji. Relevant links. Nothing. IMAGEāOptional. Screenshot of your top four. Frame from a movie. Dealer's choice. LINKāAdd your Letterboxd profile only if you want to be found. EMOJIāWhatever. But it'd be nice if it was relevant.
DISCLAIMER: This is a living community document! These are only my recommendations for a foundation. Debate and Discussion of proper style are Encouraged. Any editions and changes to the PI.FYI STYLE GUIDE will be notated with attribution.
Changelog: 07.26.2024āClarified a Rec is not limited to one recommendation. Recs can recommend multiple things. Thanks to shegoestoanotherschool for identifying the issue. / Added guidance for Anti-Rec format. 02.11.2025āMoved SpongeBob Bubble Blowing Technique video link from the top level into the body ("some pointers") so the embed wouldn't override the High Quality instructional graphic.
