I love landscape photography. It was landscape photography that brought me back to photography after years of absence. When I first started taking photography seriously, I didn’t imagine that I would become a full time photographer who would specialize in a single form of the craft. I would take photos of anything. Because I didn’t concentrate on a single form, each photo would bring its own challenges. And I think that helped me as it became a base for my understanding of photography.

Back then, because I didn’t single out a single form of photography, I found that each required something that was different from the others. Photographing people was vastly different than photographing nature. Photographing friends at a restaurant in the evening without a flash was vastly different from photographing a softball game on a bright day. Because each situation was different, I learned more than I would have if all I did was just photograph daytime snap shots of friends and activities.

Today, I’m a professional photographer. It’s how I make a living. As I built my business I didn’t concentrate strictly on one genre or style. I couldn’t afford to specialize. I took any job that came along. I have done fine art landscape photography, portrait photography, product photography and architectural photography, including real estate and vacation rental photos. Although my goal was to become strictly a nature photographer, photographing scenery and wildlife, all of the jobs that I took on were giving me different skills that would eventually make me a better photographer in all forms of the craft, including fine art landscape photos.

The experience that I gained also gave me more of an understanding of the equipment needed in executing the photographs successfully and the equipment that I didn’t need. It’s common for photographers that are just starting to learn to think that equipment will solve problems that experience teaches us how to resolve. It’s also thought that a better camera will make better photos but, in reality, it’s experience that serves us the best. Use different kinds of lenses. Use a flash or try doing the same photograph without a flash. Learn the functions of your equipment before they’re needed in the real world.

I tell folks who are just learning to take photos of everything, each photo is one more step in their progression of becoming a more rounded photographer. It’s surprising how much macro photography can teach one to create striking product photos, or how much photographing a child’s Little League game can teach what’s needed to photograph bears in Alaska. Taking photos of our family members will teach us how to create successful portraits.

If you’re serious about improving your photography skills, don’t shy away from a challenge and don’t avoid trying new things. Don’t hesitate to photograph the flowers that bloom in your yard or the birds that come to visit. Don’t shy away from taking photos of your friends or family members. Take your camera to events such as concerts or sporting events (if cameras are allowed). Take photos of your home while keeping in mind how a professional would do it. Go out into nature and photograph a beautiful scene, and print and hang the photo in your home. Don’t concentrate on one single thing, and the experience that you will gain will help progress your abilities as a photographer so you can handle any situation that confronts you. It will help you to become a better photographer in your preferred genre.

My simple advice is take a lot of photos of a lot of different things. I can assure you that you will become a better, well-rounded and skillful photographer.