Are you passionate about photography and would you like to get started as a photographer? Then you are probably curious about the gear you should have to get started. Photography is not the cheapest hobby. Cameras are known to be expensive and tools to make your pictures even better are as well. You shouldn’t get discouraged by this, though. You can get started without these fancy tools and investing a lot of money. With just a clip-on selfie ring light and your imagination, you can come a long way. It all depends on how creative you are and how much you want to improve your skills. We will give you 7 cheap beginner photography tips to get you started.

Use What You Have

To get started as a photographer, you do not need a lot of fancy equipment. You can create beautiful images with just a smartphone and a good eye. Just take a look on Instagram to get inspired and to see what is possible. By using what you have we do not only mean camera equipment, we also mean objects, sceneries, and people you have in your proximity. Use that beautiful blue wall in your street to make great fashion photos and use the natural daylight in your apartment for style shots.

Buy Used Items

To get started with photography, you don’t need all new gear. Did you know that a lot of items you need as a photographer can simply be bought second-hand? People tend to start a hobby and then call it quits soon after. They sell their equipment, which is practically brand new, for a fraction of the original price online. Make good use of this and keep your eyes open for bargains. You can look on eBay and Amazon, but make sure to check out your local camera shop as well.

Clip-on Selfie Ring Light 

Good lighting is key to taking a great picture. Unfortunately, lights, screens, and reflectors are expensive, and not every beginning photographer has the budget for these items. Luckily, you can come a long way with a clip-on selfie ring light. A selfie ring light is a ring made up of LEDs. You can clip this ring on your phone, around the camera, and it will provide you with the best possible lighting for your pictures. The light makes it possible to photograph at any time and in every setting. It doesn’t create any unwanted shadows or harsh lights and you can adjust the lighting to your preference.

Use A Good Backdrop

A background can make or break your photo. Make sure to choose your backdrop carefully, whether you are taking a selfie or taking a product shot. With the right backdrop, you can determine the whole feel of the picture. You can choose a colorful backdrop to make an immediate impact, but you can also go for a more authentic and basic look to make the image of the person in the picture pop even more. And the best part is that it doesn’t cost a thing.

Focus On Focus

When you are taking a picture, you need to select the main subject. This can be a person, but it can also be an object or a landscape. By focusing the camera on this object or this person, you are redirecting the attention to this object and you are creating the best possible focus and lighting for this specific picture. The focus and the layout of a picture are more important than most people realize and you can simply direct the attention of the viewer by making smart use of it.

Cheap Reflectors

Photographers generally use reflectors to get the best lighting for an image. Unfortunately, reflectors are expensive and you won’t have one just lying around. Luckily, you can establish the same effect with some simple and quick tips. By combining aluminum foil and a piece of cardboard, you can create a simple reflector to use in pictures. But a white piece of paper will do the trick as well. Just hold the reflector at chest height when making a portrait picture and be surprised by what it does for the lighting.

DIY Lightbox

A lightbox is commonly used by photographers to take product shots. It often is a white box with translucent sides and a white backdrop. It provides the best lighting, and no diversions, for taking product pictures. If you want to get started with product photography, you can make a lightbox yourself. You can use any cardboard box for this, but a bigger box is always better. Cover the inside of the box with white paper with a matte surface. Use lamps at the sides of the box to create the best possible light for your lightbox.