Advice from Yu Shi
- The Global Photography Community
- Mar 7
- 2 min read
To stay inspired and motivated as a photographer, embrace the world as your playground. Explore new locations, whether it's unique cityscapes or interesting architecture nearby or far from home. Each new setting can spark your creativity and give you fresh perspectives to capture. Collaboration also fuels inspiration—working with other creatives, like models, stylists, and fellow photographers, is invaluable for exchanging ideas, sharing inspiration, and pushing each other to grow. This dynamic interaction can take your work in exciting new directions.
Never stop learning. Online courses, studying the work of other photographers, and trying out new techniques are all excellent ways to grow and improve. This continuous pursuit of knowledge keeps your skills sharp and your passion alive, helping you maintain a creative edge. Great photographers constantly seek to evolve, and it’s this commitment to growth that keeps you motivated to refine your craft.
If you’re working to develop your own style, experiment widely across genres, techniques, and editing methods. Only by trying various approaches will you discover what resonates most with you. Your unique style will emerge naturally as you fine-tune your preferences and vision. Photography is about exploring possibilities until you find a look that feels authentic to you.
For beginners, focus on understanding the basics—aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and composition are foundational concepts that open up creative control. Learn your camera’s settings and don’t hesitate to experiment with different angles, perspectives, and vantage points. Sometimes, capturing a scene from a high or low angle can add a unique dimension that makes your shot truly memorable.
