DIY photography can be fun, easy, and rewarding, but the photographer will need to make a few decisions before plunging into this rewarding hobby. The photographer should first think about what kind of photography he or she is interested in pursuing; a parent may, for example, simply want to be able to take good photos of his or her children, while a hobbyist may want to expand his or her skills to become a professional photographer. Outlining one's goals is the first step in DIY photography, as this may dictate what kind of equipment is necessary.
A good camera with a good lens is a big difference between a great photo and a poor one. Photography equipment has come down in price over the years, but DIY photography will still require an investment into decent equipment. The photographer should first determine whether he or she is interested in film photography or digital photography. Both are fun and rewarding, though DIY photography that uses film will involve more time and investment in equipment, and some of this equipment may be difficult to come by. Digital photography is great for all ability levels, and a person will be able to see his or her photos immediately on the viewing screen.
Regardless of what camera the photographer is using, the photos produced may look terrible if the lighting is not right. DIY photography can involve simply using ambient light for photos, or it may involve investing in flash units or other lighting equipment to create more interesting photos. Lighting equipment can get expensive, but for the photographer looking to make more professional-looking shots, lights are essential, as are light modifiers such as umbrellas or softboxes. Any professional photographer will tell a new photographer that the key to good lighting is getting the flash off the camera; this means purchasing a flash unit that can be triggered with a cable or with other wireless trigger systems.
Community colleges often offer DIY photography courses that will help a beginning photographer learn to use his or her equipment more effectively. The course may cover lighting techniques, camera basics, tricks and tips, and even processing techniques such as film processing or digital processing on the computer. It is possible to turn a mediocre photo into a good photo in the processing phase, but it is usually not possible to turn a mediocre photo into a great photo; the photographer will need to learn to get the shot right first in order to make great photos.