As your photography hobby gains speed you’re likely to come across several myths that make it seem as if photography is some kind of unknown “secret” art. While you are learning the craft, it’s important to be sure that you don’t get sucked into the myths that will only leave you feeling discouraged. We’re setting the record straight for you here and now on the myths and truths of digital photography. 

<h3>Myth 1: You’ll get better results with better equipment.</h3> 

While every camera has it’s limitations, and some higher end equipment may physically produce better results, it’s important to remember that better (more expensive) equipment doesn’t mean you’ll automatically start getting better photos. You’ve probably heard time and time again “It’s the photographer, not the camera”, and we’ll say it here, loud and clear. It is the photographer, not the camera.

There’s no better example of this than the recent movement towards iPhoneography – millions of people are trading in their more advanced point & shoot cameras for the iPhone, even with it’s lower megapixel count and teeny tiny sensor. If that’s not proof enough, take into consideration that even the most advanced DSLR still can’t tell you what shutter speed to use when shooting action shots. An expensive camera won’t teach you how to become a photographer, it is merely a tool to assist you in getting better quality photos to share your perspective as a photographer. Ultimately, you need to teach yourself to become a better photographer and that’s that. 

<h3>Myth 2: A formal photography education will make you a “pro”.</h3> 

You might be thinking the only way to take your photography hobby to the next level is to go and get a formal education to “prove you’re serious”. Although a formal education may make learning some of the difficult photographic concepts a bit easier, it should be said that many, many professional photographers are self-taught. 
At the end of the day, it’s your drive, your willingness to learn, and your work ethic that will make you a successful photographer – whether photography remains your hobby or becomes your profession.  

<h3>Myth 3: There’s nothing around worthy of a photograph.</h3> 

We can debunk this myth in a matter of a short sentence; there is something within arms length of you right now that is worth of a photograph. Fact. 
Creating a beautiful photo is a matter of perspective, and not always a matter of the subject. Capturing a beautiful image is often about taking something ordinary, or even something you see every day, and using your skill as a photographer to turn it into something spectacular using the techniques in your repertoire. 

<h3>Myth 4: There is a right way to do things, and a wrong way. </h3>

When it comes to photography, there’s about a million ways to get a beautiful shot, and just because something is perfectly exposed or in perfect focus doesn’t mean it’s right. What is beautiful is a matter of personal preference; it’s subjective to the photographer and the person viewing the photo. While it’s true that the whole idea of photography is to create a “perfect balance” between exposure, shutter speed, ISO and somehow combine that with composition, focus, and all of the other elements that make a great photo what’s really important is highlighting what is beautiful to you. 

<h3>Myth 5: I will never be as good as [enter pro photographers name here].</h3> 

You will be as good of a photographer as you want to be. You must be persistent and take lots, and we mean lots and lots of shots. Practice, practice, and more practice. And then practice a little bit more. Work hard to emulate the photographers that you respect and admire. Take the time to analyze their photographs and understand what makes their photos stand out above the rest. Just be sure that as you make comparisons between your shots and theirs that you also work to develop your own style of photography, as it’s your style that will make you stand out above the rest. 
