A participant in one of my workshops asked me for suggestions on how to take his photography to the next level. Now, that question could mean different things to different people and I answered him as best as I could according to what I knew about him and my own thoughts on the subject.

My short answer is … practice and learn every day and trust your instincts.

Here are six more ways to take your photography to the next level.

1. Review your images from the past year. Pick 10 favourites and decide what makes them work.

Is the subject clear? How does the composition – lines, light, shapes, texture, perspective – contribute to its success? How is the eye drawn around the image? Does it tell a story or evoke an emotion? Just by identifying these things in your mind, you’re training yourself to see better when out photographing.

As an aside, at the end of each month, I pick a favourite for the month and put it in a separate album for the year. At the end of the year, I have my 12.

2. Know how your camera works.

The great thing about the Internet is that you can usually find the answer to any technical question you have (and for free). Digital Photography School is a valuable resource I would recommend and they also offer weekly challenges. You don’t have to know everything about your camera, just the things that you need to know for what you want to do. Famed photographer Art Wolfe once said in a presentation that he knew about four percent of the capabilities of his camera, but that’s all he needed to know.

3. Photograph daily (or as much as possible) with a contemplative, meaning open, mindset.

Photographing daily is the best way to get better at working with light, composing, and learning how your camera works. Having a contemplative, open mindset will not only help you to experience each day more deeply, you’ll also start noticing what really attracts your attention. You’ll practice not judging what you see or worrying about whether you can make a great photograph or if others will find it interesting. You’ll learn to trust your instincts. This will help you discover and have confidence in your own vision. A 365-day project is a great way to develop this daily photography habit.

4. Download an e-book from Craft & Vision (or my Adventures in Seeing book).

I have many of the Craft & Vision e-books. They are an incredible value and always teach me something new; especially useful if you actually DO the exercises suggested. If you like structure, this is the way to go.

5. Attend a weekend or week-long workshop.

My photography seems to leap forward when I do this and there’s nothing like spending focused time on photography with other photographers. I highly recommend Freeman Patterson’s workshops, as well as Santa Fe workshops.

6. Study the masters.

Which photographers inspire you the most? Study their work and their lives. I think you’ll find that some of the qualities you admire in them, you also have in you. I’ve written about several of my favourites on this blog – Minor White, Robert Frank, and Tina Modotti, to name three. Before taking my first photography class, I read a book about the great photographer Ansel Adams. I was drawn to his black and white images of wilderness areas – yes – but more importantly, the way he lived his life with passion and integrity. He was a photographer, musician, writer, and activist, but most of all he was a communicator.

How do you take your photography to the next level?