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We all make mistakes, and this week I run through 6 common mistakes photographers make and talk through how to handle them:

1. Poor Composition

Centred subject: Placing the subject in the centre of the image. Try the rule of thirds as a way of creating a more interesting image.

Cluttered backgrounds: Distracting elements in the background take attention away from the subject. Be a ‘Visual Storyteller’ and look at the whole scene before pressing the shutter button.

2. Over- or Underexposure

Failing to adjust for lighting conditions can result in overly bright (blown-out) or too dark (underexposed) images. Look at how and where your camera is measuring light levels.

3. Ignoring Focus

Out-of-focus subject: Understand what your camera is using to set the focus and what is most suitable for the photography you are doing (e.g. central spot focusing, or a zone).

4. Overediting

Editing is a key part of digital photography, but it is very easy to over-edit and ruin a great photograph. As a general rule, keep edits simple and use easy references (such as grass) to provide a benchmark for how saturated an image should be.

5. Using the Wrong Lens

Lenses have their own characteristics and introduce distortions. This might be enlarging elements close to the lens in the case of a wide-angle lens, or compressing perspective if you are using a longer telephoto lens.

6. Poor Lighting

Photography is about using light. Bright light can upset exposure and create a lot of contrast. Golden hours and blue hours can produce very atmospheric effects, but light levels can change rapidly.

Look at the kinds of photography you do and understand what the ideal lighting conditions are, and what you can do to compensate for lighting problems.

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For over 40 years, Steve Gettle has dedicated his life to capturing the stunning beauty of nature through his lens. With countless hours spent photographing wildlife and the breathtaking landscapes that surround us, Steve’s work radiates his deep love for the natural world. His vibrant images invite viewers to appreciate the wonders of wildlife and wild places like never before.

Steve has had his work featured in a variety of esteemed publications, such as National Geographic, Canadian Geographic, Audubon Magazine, and the BBC. His photographs have also been featured in calendars and books from organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund and the National Wildlife Federation, underscoring his dedication to wildlife conservation.

Nicole’s journey as a photographer and a naturalist started in her teenage years, knee-deep in the wonders of nature beside a frog pond near her home. Gazing through the camera lens, watching behaviours, this early experience ignited her enduring love for the natural world. As happens to many of us, however, the working world called, leading her into a 20-year career in management consulting. Despite this detour, her passion for wildlife never wavered.

Ultimately, she combined her love for nature with her commitment to wildlife and advocacy by volunteering with an environmental nonprofit in Northern Virginia: the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. She served as its President for ten years, where she played a key role in its growth, and ultimately left her career in management consulting to become the Conservancy’s first Executive Director.

Steve and Nicole offer wildlife experiences for those with a passion for wildlife and nature.

Find out more on their website: Wildlife Tours and Photography Workshops - Gettle Photography

It's time for another podcast...

Please join my mailing list to stay on top of new mini-workshops, podcasts and special offers.

Just visit the website: https://www.ge.photography

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Have you bought your 2026 Wildlife Calendar yet?
Find out more by clicking here

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you would like to subscribe, you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips and challenges, and more!

Develop your photography by taking a course:

Go from "Auto" to Awesome photos in just one week (click here)!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: graham@ge.photography

Coffee?

If you've had value from this podcast, please help me continue with them. Most people don't, but if you would like to make a small contribution, how about a coffee? You can buy me a coffee here.

Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

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Last week, we looked at what happens when there is a failure of perception. This week, we look at the opposite problem: when the camera tells you exactly what to do, but the result is incorrectly exposed.

Are you asking the right question?

This is the final part of the three-podcast series looking at exposure issues.

It's time for another podcast...

Please join my mailing list to stay on top of new mini-workshops, podcasts and special offers.

Just visit the website: https://www.ge.photography

Support the show

Have you bought your 2026 Wildlife Calendar yet?
Find out more by clicking here

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you would like to subscribe, you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips and challenges, and more!

Develop your photography by taking a course:

Go from "Auto" to Awesome photos in just one week (click here)!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: graham@ge.photography

Coffee?

If you've had value from this podcast, please help me continue with them. Most people don't, but if you would like to make a small contribution, how about a coffee? You can buy me a coffee here.

Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

Thank you for listening.