PHOTOGRAPHY ADVICE FROM AN ABSOLUTE AMATEUR

"Photography is the simplest thing in the world, but it is incredibly complicated to make it really work" - Martin Parr

Cameras are something I love, I have no formal training nor do I care much for understanding aperture, iso or shutter speed.. unless I want to do something "cool" like light painting, double exposure or take photos of waterfalls.

98% of my photography is centred around hitting the streets and shooting what I see with good old auto setting, I have no time to diddle daddle with buttons and settings, I point, I shoot. If I like it I keep it, if not I delete it, reshoot and keep it moving with my day and missions.

Anyways here's my list of 12 things to do and avoid as an amateur like me

1. Stop being jealous of the cameras and lenses of others, I have a cousin who's a professional photographer and I'm always salivating when I see his gear.. He actually needs all the equipment he has to make a living, I don't.
2. Don't take photos of homeless people or street performers unless you ask the performers and leave some money for them then I guess it is ok.
3. Don't focus on the work of others too much unless you are in a competition, just do you. 
4. Avoid being greedy for likes, favourites, and affirmation via social media, if you like it, it's good enough unless you're being paid and your client isn't happy with your work then that's a totally different situation all together.
5. if you're thinking that buying a new camera will make you more creative and inspired.. BOOooooooy!, if you don't get it! 
6. I love printing my work and not only just looking at my photos on a computer, anyways what you going to do when that computer crashes one day?
7. Don't ask for permission to take photo's of strangers on the street, just shoot, I use a 24mm pancake prime lens, this means I have to get really close up to my subjects. If they catch you just smile and say,"thanks" while walking away.
8. Your neighbourhood is always the best place to start photographing, my personal Instagram account is full of pics from my area.
9. Traveling will not inspire your photography!, getting your camera out and "seeing the picture" in front of you will
10. Try shooting every day, lord knows I suck at this but I try, sometimes I just shoot with my iphone.
11.  Go out and shoot when the light is nice, sunrise and sunset are the best times 
12. Work with what you have, if you can't afford a camera or particular lens just be the best you can be with what you have. I'm a single camera, single lens kind of guy