Here's how you can develop your photography skills and gain experience without formal education.

Daily Shooting: The best way to improve is through consistent practice. Set a goal to shoot something daily, even if it's just with your smartphone. Project-Based Learning: Undertake specific projects like a 365-day photo challenge or themed shoots to focus your efforts and push your creativity.

Online Courses and Tutorials: Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare offer courses on various aspects of photography, from basic techniques to advanced editing skills. YouTube Channels: There are countless free tutorials on YouTube that cover every imaginable topic related to photography. Blogs and Photography Websites: Websites like PetaPixel, Fstoppers, and The Digital Picture provide reviews, tips, and in-depth articles on photography techniques and equipment.

One of the best ways to learn anything is by being outside your comfort zone. Photography is no different, and one of the best ways to push for and develop new skills is to take on personal projects. These can be focused on various aspects, from working with models to experimenting with new lighting setups. Also accept the fact that when doing these projects, mistakes are perfectly fine, in fact you need them in order to know what NOT to do when you get in front of a client later.

In my opinion, personal projects are the best way to evolve as a creative, and often the way to catch the eye of the clients you want. One resource that has helped spark ideas for me is a book called "The Photographer's Playbook". In this text you'll find challenging photography assignments from some of the world's most talented photographers and photography professionals.

Analyze Great Works: Study the photographs of renowned photographers. Understand what makes their work stand out, including their use of light, composition, and subject matter. Art Books and Exhibitions: Visit galleries, subscribe to photography magazines, and read books that showcase high-quality photography.

Explore Genres: Try your hand at different photography genres like portrait, landscape, street, or documentary to find what resonates most with you. Use Varied Equipment: Experiment with different types of cameras and lenses to understand their strengths and limitations.

In my perspective, real photography is candid photography. It captures people's genuine emotions and facial expressions. During candid photography, the subjects are unaware that they are being photographed. In the past, the true essence of photography was to preserve memories. However, nowadays, photography often focuses more on capturing people as subjects rather than preserving memories. Initially, people took photos because they visited new places. Nowadays, people visit new places because they want to take photos. Comment your thoughts below.

Personal projects is the key. This allows for you to experiment as much as you’d like without any creative restrictions or a deadline. This helps me to learn different lighting techniques, composition or even editing techniques

Photo Walks and Meetups: Join local photography groups or meetups to connect with other photographers. This can lead to new learning opportunities through workshops and collaborative projects. Workshops and Seminars: Attend workshops and seminars to learn from experienced photographers and network with peers.