Tips for capturing professional-quality photos on a budget

My first camera was a basic Nikon digital SLR I snagged on Craigslist for $300. Having never owned even a simple point-and-shoot, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to learn as I traveled to visit a friend in Maui.

I grabbed the camera on my way to the airport, spending the whole flight poring over the manual. I was eager to grasp not just the controls, but also the essential principles of photography—understanding how shutter speed, aperture, and ISO work together to craft stunning images.

Throughout my trip, I experimented relentlessly, returning with a trove of thousands of photos. Thankfully, Maui's beauty was a saving grace, as some of my shots turned out less than impressive.

I promised myself that I would master photography one day. I envisioned acquiring top-notch gear and seeing my work published for all to enjoy.

I never anticipated that those photos snapped with my $300 camera would eventually be featured by some of the top travel and adventure brands. It turns out that mastering the art of photography was far more crucial than splurging on expensive gear.

For fellow travelers eager to elevate their photography skills without spending a fortune, here are a few insights I wish I'd had during my Maui adventure.

Invest in some equipment

You don’t have to splurge on a high-end semiprofessional or professional DSLR; instead, consider an entry-level crop sensor DSLR.

For instance, you can find Nikon's D3500 bundled with two lenses for just under $700, while Canon's T7 with one lens is available for around $450. And don't forget to check eBay for even more affordable used options.

DSLR cameras feature both crop and full-frame sensors, with crop sensors generally being more affordable and user-friendly for beginners. The key distinction lies in the size of the sensor within the camera.

As you hone your skills, you may find full-frame sensors appealing for their superior low-light performance, ability to create beautiful background blur (known as "bokeh"), and greater editing flexibility.

However, these benefits come with a hefty price, not just for the camera itself but also for lenses designed specifically for full-frame systems. Recently, mirrorless cameras have surged in popularity due to their impressive image and video quality, lightweight design, and advanced autofocus features, although they can also be quite pricey.

Master the concepts of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO

To achieve the right exposure, or brightness, when photographing, it's essential that shutter speed, aperture, and ISO all work in harmony and maintain balance.

Shutter speed refers to how long the camera's shutter remains open to allow light in. The longer it stays open (or the slower the shutter speed), the more light enters the camera, resulting in a brighter image.

While this seems straightforward, the challenge lies in keeping the shutter speed quick enough to capture motion while also allowing it to be slow enough to avoid returning home with a batch of dark, underexposed shots.

Generally, a shutter speed of around 1/200 to 1/1000 of a second is suitable for midday shots. If you're not using a tripod and shooting a stationary subject, slower speeds below 1/200 can lead to blurry images—unless both you and your subject are excellent at holding still.

When photographing fast-moving subjects, such as a bird in flight or a cyclist, increase the shutter speed even more to ensure your photos remain sharp.

There may be instances when you need a quick shutter speed to capture fast action, but find there's not enough light for the right exposure. In such cases, adjusting the aperture—the opening that allows light into the lens—can help. A larger aperture (indicated by a smaller f-stop number, like f2.8) allows more light in, while a smaller aperture (for example, f11) reduces the amount of light that enters.

However, the aperture does more than just control light; it also influences how much of the background remains in focus.

A wider aperture, such as f2.8, will blur the background beautifully, making it ideal for portraits or shots where you want the subject to stand out. Conversely, as you narrow the aperture, the background gradually comes into sharper focus. If you're photographing distant subjects or want a scene in its entirety to be sharp, opt for an aperture of f11 or smaller.

The third parameter you can adjust is the ISO, which essentially determines your camera's sensitivity to light.

If your settings for aperture and shutter speed leave your photo too dark, increasing the ISO can help brighten it. However, raising the ISO can degrade image quality, especially on crop sensor cameras, which tend to show excessive "noise" or graininess at settings above roughly 800. Start with an ISO of 100, and if you're unable to adjust the shutter speed or open the aperture further, gradually increase the ISO until the image reaches the desired brightness.

Most cameras feature exposure meters visible in the viewfinder, with a "plus" sign indicating overexposure, a negative sign for underexposure, and a zero in the center, which serves as a solid reference point for your shots.

Grasp the fundamentals of composition

While rules are meant to be bent, understanding them is crucial before you can effectively break them.

The "rule of thirds" is a foundational photography guideline that divides the frame into three equal horizontal and vertical sections. Ideally, you should position your subject within the upper or lower third, or one of the side thirds. However, there are plenty of instances—like in portrait photography—where you might choose to ignore this guideline.

Exploring unique compositions, such as incorporating out-of-focus tree branches in the foreground to frame your subject, can elevate your photography. You can also use leading lines, such as mountain ridges or road markings, to guide the viewer’s gaze toward the focal point.

Leverage light to enhance your photography

I frequently hear real estate clients suggest, "Let’s schedule our shoot at noon when the lighting is optimal."

While this approach works decently for real estate photos, most stunning shots aren’t taken under the harsh midday sun.

In contrast, capturing images from sunrise to about an hour after, or an hour before sunset, yields some of the best lighting conditions. If you can, plan your shoots during these golden hours, but have a clear idea of what you want to capture beforehand. The ideal light often lasts just a few minutes, and if you're busy deciding what to shoot, you might miss that perfect moment.

Familiarize yourself with your camera's settings

While each camera model has its unique features, they often share many common controls. Most include various modes, such as manual mode, where you have complete control, and aperture priority mode, which allows you to select the aperture while the camera automatically adjusts the ISO and shutter speed for optimal exposure.

Shutter priority mode is useful if you want to dictate the shutter speed without worrying too much about the aperture settings.

Autofocus settings can also be intricate, ranging from full automatic to "continuous," where the camera tracks a moving subject, or "single point," where you select the focus point yourself.

Taking the time to read your camera's manual beforehand will help you grasp these various settings and prepare you for what you'll need (and which buttons to press) for each shoot.

Master post-processing tools

Whether you enjoy it or not, photo editing is as crucial as capturing the images themselves. Ideally, you want your photos to look great straight out of the camera, but even the best shots can benefit from basic corrections like lens adjustments, color tweaks, and sharpening.

Shooting in RAW format (as noted in your manual) rather than JPG gives you more editing flexibility. This file type allows for significant alterations without degrading the image quality.

Adobe Lightroom is widely regarded as the go-to software for basic photo editing, but there are many other options worth exploring. I've found that watching YouTube tutorials is one of the best ways to learn how to edit and refine your photos before sharing them with the world.