Everyone with a smartphone is an amateur photographer. And if photography is an art, then there is a budding artist in every one of us. But what distinguishes a good photograph from a mediocre one? Can we turn our daily coffee mug photos into art? Or how do we simply take nicer family photos? For answers to these questions and more, I spoke to the talented, up-and-coming photographer, Laila Youssef.
A photojournalism class and the Egyptian Revolution ignited in Laila a passion for telling stories through the lens of a camera. She developed her eye for good pictures by getting out and exploring. From the scenic seaside landscapes of Nova Scotia to the gritty subways of Toronto, Laila finds inspiration wherever she goes. I was grateful for the opportunity to learn from Laila. Here are some of my biggest takeaways from our conversation:
Get out of the house: According to Laila, photography is not something you learn in a classroom. To truly develop your eye, you have to get out, explore, and most importantly, take lots of pictures!
Quantity over quality: There's no such thing as a bad picture, so keep clicking! Take multiple pictures of the same subject and don't delete a photo; you can learn even from looking at bad photographs.
Trial and error: Try shooting your subjects from different angles and distances, with different backgrounds, in different lighting etc. Come back to your old photos and consider how they might be improved upon by using different approaches.
Learn the basics: Before shelling out hundreds of dollars on a camera, learn how to take good pictures using the tools at your disposal first, whether it's your phone or an old camera. Learn how to frame subjects properly. This will help you develop your photographic eye.
Tell a story: According to Laila, the best photos tell a story. Be on the lookout for subjects that just need to be photographed. At the very least, you want to be original, so find pictures that show something different, or in a new light.
Use your surroundings: You can take good photographs no matter where you are. Consider what vibe you get from your environment. For example, Laila wanted to capture the "gothic" atmosphere of the Toronto subway, a place she found herself spending a lot of time.
Move around: Try taking pictures in different locations, with different lighting and different backgrounds. If possible, you can try moving your subject around as well. Not only will you find the best spot, you will also learn about exposure by trying different lightings.
Use social media: According to Laila, the best way to find good locations, photographs, and styles to emulate is to follow other photographers on Instagram. Some of them even offer "how to" tutorials. Some accounts she suggested following include: @beautifuldestinations, @streetsoftoronto, @petermckinnon. And of course, you should follow @__LYLAS!
When you're ready to buy a camera: Understand the difference between full-frame and semi-frame cameras; mirrorless and DSLR cameras. Consider what types of photographs you plan on taking before deciding what type of camera to buy. For example, if you are moving around a lot you have to consider the weight of the equipment. If you are taking landscapes, you might want to consider a full frame lens. If you plan on changing lenses, buy a DSLR. Avoid buying used cameras. A good starter camera is the Cannon Rebel T7i DSLR, according to Laila. Also, remember to bring an extra battery!