Not sure if this is the appropriate place to post this, but I'll post it here anyways because I see you guys as my family and I want to share this with you:

100 things I have learned about photography.
1. Just because someone has an expensive camera doesn’t mean that they’re a good photographer.
2. Always shoot in RAW. Always.
3. Prime lenses help you learn to be a better photographer.
4. Photo editing is an art in itself
5. The rule of thirds works 99% of the time.
6. Macro photography isn’t for everybody.
7. UV filters work just as well as lens caps.
8. Go outside and shoot photos rather than spending hours a day on photography forums.
9. Capture the beauty in the mundane and you have a winning photograph.
10. Film isn’t better than digital.
11. Digital isn’t better than film.
12. There is no “magic” camera or lens.
13. Better lenses don’t give you better photos.
14. Spend less time looking at other people’s work and more time shooting your own.
15. Don’t take your DSLR to parties.
16. Girls dig photographers.
17. Making your photos b/w doesn’t automatically make them “artsy”
18. People will always discredit your work if you tell them you “photoshop” your images. Rather, tell them that you process them in the “digital darkroom”.
19. You don’t need to take a photo of everything.
20. Have at least 2 backups of all your images. Like they say in war, two is one, one is none.
21. Ditch the neck strap and get a handstrap.
22. Get closer when taking your photos, they often turn out better.
23. Be a part of a scene while taking a photo; not a voyeur.
24. Taking a photo crouched often make your photos look more interesting.
25. Worry less about technical aspects and focus more on compositional aspects of photography.
26. Tape up any logos on your camera with black gaffers tape- it brings a lot less attention to you.
27. Always underexpose by 2/3rds of a stop when shooting in broad daylight.
28. The more photos you take, the better you get.
29. Don’t be afraid to take several photos of the same scene at different exposures, angles, or apertures.
30. Only show your best photos.
31. A point-and-shoot is still a camera.
32. Join an online photography forum.
33. Critique the works of others.
34. Think before you shoot.
35. A good photo shouldn’t require explanation (although background information often adds to an image). *
36. Alcohol and photography do not mix well.
37. Draw inspiration from other photographers but never worship them.
38. Grain is beautiful.
39. Ditch the photo backpack and get a messenger bag. It makes getting your lenses and camera a whole lot easier.
40. Simplicity is key.
41. The definition of photography is: “painting with light.” Use light in your favor.
42. Find your style of photography and stick with it.
43. Having a second monitor is the best thing ever for photo processing.
44. Silver EFEX pro is the best b/w converter.
45. Carry your camera with you everywhere. Everywhere.
46. Never let photography get in the way of enjoying life.
47. Don’t pamper your camera. Use and abuse it.
48. Take straight photos.
49. Shoot with confidence.
50. Photography and juxtaposition are best friends.
51. Print out your photos big. They will make you happy.
52. Give your photos to friends.
53. Give them to strangers.
54. Don’t forget to frame them.
55. Costco prints are cheap and look great.
56. Go out and take photos with (a) friend(s).
57. Join a photo club or start one for yourself.
58. Photos make great presents.
59. Taking photos of strangers is thrilling.
60. Candid>Posed.
61. Natural light is the best light.
62. 35mm (on full frame) is the best “walk-around” focal length.
63. Don’t be afraid to bump up your ISO when necessary.
64. You don’t need to always bring a tripod with you everywhere you go (hell, I don’t even own one).
65. It is always better to underexpose than overexpose.
66. Shooting photos of homeless people in an attempt to be “artsy” is exploitation.
67. You will find the best photo opportunities in the least likely situations.
68. Photos are always more interesting with the human element included.
69. You can’t “photoshop” bad images into good ones.
70. Nowadays everybody is a photographer.
71. You don’t need to fly to Paris to get good photos; the best photo opportunities are in your backyard.
72. People with DSLRS who shoot portraits with their grip pointed downwards look like morons.
73. Cameras as tools, not toys.
74. In terms of composition, photography and painting aren’t much different.
75. Photography isn’t a hobby- it’s a lifestyle.
76. Make photos, not excuses.
77. Be original in your photography. Don’t try to copy the style of others.
78. The best photographs tell stories that begs the viewer for more.
79. Any cameras but black ones draw too much attention.
80. The more gear you carry around with you the less you will enjoy photography.
81. Good self-portraits are harder to take than they seem.
82. Laughter always draws out peoples’ true character in a photograph.
83. Don’t look suspicious when taking photos- blend in with the environment.
84. Landscape photography can become dull after a while.
85. Have fun while taking photos.
86. Never delete any of your photos.
87. Be respectful when taking photos of people or places.
88. When taking candid photos of people in the street, it is easier to use a wide-angle than a telephoto lens.
89. Travel and photography are the perfect pair.
90. Learn how to read a histogram.
91. A noisy photo is better than a blurry one.
92. Don’t be afraid to take photos in the rain.
93. Learn how to enjoy the moment, rather than relentlessly trying to capture the perfect picture of it.
94. Never take photos on an empty stomach.
95. You will discover a lot about yourself through your photography.
96. Never hoard your photographic insight- share it with the world.
97. Never stop taking photos
98. Photography is more than simply taking photos, it is a philosophy of life
99. Capture the decisive moment
100. Write your own list.

Outstanding list, Eric!
I'll add something from my own experience. Maybe others will chime in.

101. Don't let your photography study and obsession turn you into someone who can't simply enjoy a photo for the feeling it gives. There's nothing wrong with a "snapshot" sometimes!!! Lose the attitude. If it isn't a paid, posed session, how important is it really

It can be hard to avoid mentally critiquing the images we view, but that obsession ruined photography for me for awhile. I've learned to relax.

-Tim

Good list, there are a few I dont really agree with but a good list none the least

(im sure I will get asked and wont remember so the ones I disagree with are-
13- you try shooting nightclubs with an f5.6 lens
21- its difficult to use hand straps when you carry either 2 or 3 bodies with you ;-)
36- my night club work beggs to differ, although moderate would be the word
65- If your shooting high ISO and RAW i would suggest look to overexpose rather than underexpose
and controversially 96- I hate myself for saying that but if you have a trick others pro's your competing with dont, hold on to that like it was gold. that being said im here sharing what I know (you dont find me in the wedding forum though ;-)

EK: 102. Learn how to shoot using manual exposure with the help of the histogram, by adjusting exposure to put that Levels graph very close to the right side, and your photos will improve.
103. Learn flash photography, because doing so will expand your photo opportunities.
104. Learn how to do mirror-lockup for removing its minute mechanical vibration when shooting landscapes.
105. Use a bubble level in the camera hotshoe for making the horizon horizontal, and a cable release to avoid introducing vibration when shooting landscapes.
106. Recognize that as a craft, photography requires practice and more practice.

BTW: I enjoyed your listing, and agree with most of it. You've obviously been around.

Sensational idea and list Eric.

Number 16 alone should make camera stock go through the roof.

107: camera straps never fail over soft ground.
108: the more stuff you bring, the less likely the model is to show up.

take pictures

Yes.. I guess the only ones you need to explain to me are the underexpose rather rhan overexpose, because my experience indicates otherwise.

FAswad: EK doesn't explain. Others say expose for the highlights. For my part, I've begun learning manual exposure using the histogram, as noted above. The first time I captured an image (a street scene) correctly exposed using manual exposure, I wanted to jump for joy. Of course, before the advent of modern light metering in camera, photographers used manual exposure settings. Because manual exposure typically involves a few test shots, this technique may not always lend itself to the moment.

greswolde wrote:
Good list, there are a few I dont really agree with but a good list none the least

(im sure I will get asked and wont remember so the ones I disagree with are-
13- you try shooting nightclubs with an f5.6 lens
21- its difficult to use hand straps when you carry either 2 or 3 bodies with you ;-)
36- my night club work beggs to differ, although moderate would be the word
65- If your shooting high ISO and RAW i would suggest look to overexpose rather than underexpose
and controversially 96- I hate myself for saying that but if you have a trick others pro's your competing with dont, hold on to that like it was gold. that being said im here sharing what I know (you dont find me in the wedding forum though ;-)

13. I will elaborate. There is this non-stop debate about this one, but what I meant was more that a novice cannot buy a 1dmarkiis and a 85mm f1.2 and expect to take better photographs than his Rebel XT and 50mm 1.8. Tools are important, but they don't give us "better" images in terms of composition. Image quality is definitely better, but the images themselves are not necessarily "better".

21. In the case of having 2,3 bodies, there is definitely an exception.

36. Moderation is indeed important.

65. This one also depends greatly on the situation. In my case, I always prefer having a little more noise than having a photo with unrecoverable highlights.

96. If you are a pro, I can understand your pov. Especially if you are using it to make a living.

Thanks for your suggestions Martyn!

eric

Great list Eric.
One day I have to try shooting RAW

May I add, ...read the manual, know how your camera works.

Jerry

lazlo369 wrote:
Great list Eric.
One day I have to try shooting RAW


Make sure the neighbors are not around lazlo, last time I tried they called the police . :o)

Great list - thanks for sharing

Thank you for the comments lazlo, Jerry, Fishit, and Rob. Any further additions to this list is welcome!

ek

nice list. makes lots of sense.

As an addition to #70... Here is my personal quote.

"Photography is like sex, everybody has the equipment, and they all think they are good at it..."

uh, that's copyrighted...

RodPlunger wrote:
As an addition to #70... Here is my personal quote.

"Photography is like sex, everybody has the equipment, and they all think they are good at it..."

uh, that's copyrighted...


I think that's an appropriate comment from the poster named "Rod Plunger". . . .