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Overflying F-35B at an airshow Photo: Community member Jon555 |
In this week's Question of the week, our community reflected on the most significant photography lessons they learned in 2025, ranging from practical gear insights to mindset shifts that changed how they approach shooting. We certainly learned a lot from reading about their experiences, thank you, community.
Some lessons emerged through sheer hard work and expertise in camera technology (in some cases, decades of experience). In contrast, others developed from missed shots or chance successes in the field. The community's lessons reveal how preparation and a willingness to rethink old habits can make a difference to both results and enjoyment behind the camera.
Read on for a spotlight selection of contributions, and then join our forum community to share your great photos and the stories they tell.
Jacques Cornell: Always bring backups for every mission-critical piece of gear to every on-site job. This has been my mantra as an event shooter for decades, but I still had to learn it again when I got sloppy on the second day of a trade show job and brought only what I (wrongly) thought I'd need. SMH.
Paper Wasp: I learned the value of in-body image stabilization. Even with a camera several years old and well behind current technology, I managed to take very nice, sharp photos hand-held in situations that would have made it very difficult without it.
kcccc: If you shoot handheld in aperture mode, don't trust that the camera's auto-chosen shutter speed will always give you unblurred images. Always check the shutter speed, choose a minimum shutter speed that one can feel confident taking sharp photos (depending on zoom level, IBIS, hand stability, etc).
MTiz: To embrace shadows! Negative space is powerful.
GinoSVK: Never, ever touch ‘crop mode’ again! I accidentally engaged it while playing with the settings the day before a wildlife photoshoot. It cost me a few shots until I realized it.
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Fawn in Penticton, BC Photo: Community member Jack Simpson |
Jon555: That I can use an e-shutter for a lot of shots I would have assumed it wouldn't work for, like propeller aircraft. 1/160th was enough after all... who knew. I did a whole Air Show that way, and out of 2200 images (what's worse - all in single-shot mode, no bursts), I haven't seen one where the e-shutter damaged it. An F-35 B damaged my hearing, tho... boy, are they loud when hovering.
f1point4andbethere: Every rule you create for yourself will be something you experiment with breaking one day later.
Satyaa: Small things matter as much as the big things. They are often forgotten or ignored, but can be potential pitfalls.
Winterfrost: Enjoy when you accidentally (besides photowalks specifically...) take a good picture that wasn't planned. Always look for chances, opportunities, but expect nothing - stay humble.
I have the habit of setting up my cameras the night before an event. I make sure everything is in place, double-check the settings I want to use, and that batteries are charged, etc. I focus on big things but often miss small things. The exercise of going through this setup the night before often saves me.
sirhawkeye64: Not every shot has to be a hero shot. For many years, I always went into the field thinking I had to get the "perfect" shot or the money-making shot, but later realized that that tends to lead us to disappointment many times (I mean, if you get it, great, and you feel good about it, but if you don't, it can bother you). By shifting my mindset to focus more on what I want to get out of it, and less on what others will think, I have found it helpful.
User4541379541: Stop [always] listening to 'experts.' Find your own style. Don't be a clone. Photography is a personal thing. The freedom to express and convey what you see."
Since then, I saw my world in a different light, and it's beautiful!
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Custom-made digital background scene Photo: Community member Frenchfx |
Frenchfx: I took a master class on still life and learned how to apply digital backgrounds properly, and the difference was amazing. My work took on a whole new look. More professional, more appealing, and just all around better.
Swerky: Not going to a photography outing with expectations in mind. I would often go out shooting by saying to myself, for example, that I wanted to do macros today. However, for some reason, I arrive on location and see that circumstances aren’t in my favor. So I either need to adapt and find something else or return home frustrated. This goes with the larger idea of not falling into habit but always pushing your boundaries.
wh1tby: Camera ergonomics really do matter. I had always assumed that if you liked the results from a camera and lens combo, you could adapt to any ergonomic issues, e.g., an over-sensitive shutter, a lack of an aperture ring on Fuji X-series lenses, exposure compensation dials that either locked or were too easy to change, etc.
When I found my bad shot rate was going up, I realised a) they do matter and b) I had to focus on the camera that is easier for you to use and not try to force yourself to ‘adapt’. Some camera and lens combinations are not suitable for you, and they will detract from the primary objective of photography: the photograph.
And wildaboutnature had a list of things to suggest:
- Research my subject to maximise my chances of getting the shots I want, but always be adaptable and able to switch to other subjects.
- Take lots of shots, varying the composition and camera settings.
- Always have a backup camera and lenses with me on any vital shoot. Keep spare batteries and spare cards in my pocket.
- It might rain, so always have a polythene bag in my pocket.
- Download and make at least two backups after each shoot and each editing session.
- Don't waste money on gear that I don't genuinely need.
Across all these stories, it's clear that the most valuable lesson learned in 2025 was that the perfect shot sometimes comes about by a unique set of circumstances, and being flexible (both in terms of hardware and mentally adapting to the moment) is critical to capturing that magical shot.
Keep watch for the next Question of the week every other Wednesday to participate in this series. New questions are posted here on the homepage and in the forums. We can't wait to read and share your stories!
from Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) https://ift.tt/4uzmNOZ