50 Photography Tips From DigitalRev's Kai Wong

DigitalRev‘s Kai Wong has compiled his list of 50 photography tips in a humorous 13 minute video. For those unfamiliar with Kai’s love-it or hate-it style, it’s very tongue-in-cheek – His DigitalRev videos can be considered the “Top Gear” of photography – After all, he is the guy that painted a Nikon DSLR pink and sent it back to them to test their after sales support…

If you’re not a fan of Kai’s humour or style, we’ve included the full list of tips below the video, courtesy of PetaPixel.

1. UV filters are a waste of time
2. Lens hoods aren’t a necessity
3. If you’re not using the hood, put it away
4. Don’t treat your DSLR like it’s your baby
5. Stop hating on others
6. Get cheap lens caps
7. Pack light
8. Use a zoom for convenience
9. Prime will make you think more
10. The 35mm is the most practical one lens setup (on the 1.5 crop)
11. The 50mm looks better
12. Better cameras don’t make better photos
13. Know how your camera works before you go out to shoot
14. Always be ready for the shot
15. P-mode isn’t just for beginners
16. Bump the ISO if needed
17. Auto ISO is your best friend
18. Rely on the Rule of Thirds
19. Take lots of shots
20. Don’t take photos of any old sh*t
21. “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough” — Robert Capa
22. Contemplate your shot
23. The best equipment doesn’t help if you’re not standing in the right spot
24. Sharpness is overrated
25. Concept is king
26. Don’t look like a wrongun (i.e. a creep)
27. Don’t drink and shoot
28. Shoot when you’re full of energy
29. Sometimes it feels great to wake up really early and shoot
30. Think about what light you want
31. Emulate the style of the greats to get started
32. …but don’t keep doing it
33. Photography is as much a reflection of the person taking the photo
34. Shoot to please no one apart from yourself
35. Discreet or direct — it isn’t all that important
36. Setting themes keeps you focused
37. Change things every once in a while to keep things fresh
38. Everyone has creative blocks
39. Be critical of yourself
40. “Seeing is not enough, you have to feel what you photograph” — Andre Kertesz
41. You need to be there with the camera
42. The relationship is about you and the subject, not you and the camera
43. Stop chimping
44. Be brutal when it comes to deleting awful photos
45. Show only your best work
46. Changing photos to B&W doesn’t make an uninteresting shot interesting
47. Look at other people’s work
48. Post your work online, let others critique your work
49. There is no easy way
50. ???

Via PetaPixel.