My Best Photography Advice: 7 Tips to Take Better Photos

Introduction

My Best Photography Advice: 7 Tips to Take Better Photos

If you’re looking for photography tips that will truly transform your images, here’s my best advice after years of capturing landscapes, portraits, and everyday moments. Whether you’re a beginner holding your first camera or an experienced photographer refining your craft, these lessons will help you take better photos and enjoy the process more deeply.

1. Chase the Light, Not the Gear

Light is the foundation of photography. Gear can make things easier, but light makes things magical.

• Learn how to see light — its direction, colour, and softness.

• Embrace the golden hours: early morning and late evening.

• Notice how weather changes the mood of a landscape.

On the Dingle Peninsula, the same mountain can feel calm one morning and dramatic the next, all because of how light touches it.

2. Slow Down and Look Twice

One of the simplest beginner photography tips is to slow down.

• Walk around your subject.

• Try new angles — crouch low, climb higher, move closer.

• Wait for the moment when the scene feels alive.

Professional photographers know that patience often rewards you with shots others miss.

3. Tell a Story With Your Photos

Sharpness and exposure are important, but the best images tell a story.

Ask yourself:

• What do I want viewers to feel?

• Does this image spark curiosity, awe, nostalgia, or peace?

Photography is more than recording — it’s about emotion. This applies whether you’re photographing an Irish coastline or a quiet street corner.

4. Learn the Rules — Then Break Them

Strong composition comes from knowing the basics:

• Rule of thirds

• Leading lines

• Negative space

• Colour balance

But don’t be afraid to break them. Some of the most powerful professional photography techniques come from bending the rules: a blurred motion, a tilted horizon, or a subject hidden in shadow.

5. Shoot Often, Edit Ruthlessly

The more you shoot, the more your eye improves. But growth also comes from editing.

• Don’t keep every shot.

• Curate carefully.

• Share only the images that make you feel something.

One strong image has more impact than a dozen average ones.

6. Print Your Work

A crucial but often forgotten photography tip is to print.

• Prints reveal tones, details, and sharpness screens can hide.

• They give your work permanence.

• A print turns your photo into a story you can live with.

Whether as wall art, a framed piece, or even a calendar, printing makes photography tangible.

7. Stay Curious and Keep Exploring

The best photographers are explorers at heart.

• Try new techniques.

• Visit new locations.

• Allow yourself to make mistakes.

Some of your most creative images will come from experiments. In landscape photography, curiosity often leads you to the hidden angles and fleeting light others miss.

Final Thought

If I had to share one single piece of advice, it would be this: don’t just take photographs — live them.

Photography is about presence, patience, and connection. When those elements align, your photo becomes more than an image. It becomes a memory.

📌 A Note from West Kerry Photography

If these photography tips inspired you, you might enjoy seeing them in practice. My 2026 West Kerry Calendar showcases full-colour images of the Dingle Peninsula — captured in the best light, framed with care, and designed to bring Ireland’s landscapes into your home all year.

Each month includes an inspirational quote and space for your notes, making it more than just a calendar — it’s a daily connection to the art of photography.

👉 Explore the calendar Stunning 2025 West Kerry Calendar Collection | West Kerry photography

Explore my fine art prints here: Stunning Landscape Images of West Kerry | West Kerry photography

Explore my framed art prints here: Framed Wall Art from West Kerry | West Kerry photography

Bring photography off the screen — and into your everyday life.