Big Photo Hunt: A Photography Podcast
Why Manual Mode Makes You a Better Photographer with Mariah Adams
What does it actually take to get better at photography and how do you find a style that's truly your own? In this episode, I sit down with Mariah Adams , a Sacramento-based street photographer and one of the original members of the Big Photo Hunt, who's been making images for nearly a decade. Mariah's path started with her grandmother's camera and grew into a genuine creative obsession, and she's refreshingly honest about how she learned by shooting constantly, experimenting , and never being afraid to fail. We talk about why putting your camera in manual mode and leaving it there is one of the fastest ways to truly understand photography , how learning the relationship between your settings and your image - depth of field, light, all of it - changes everything, and why your "bad" photos are some of the most valuable frames you'll ever take. Mariah also shares why street photography became her genre of choice, how she learned to show the world through her own perspective, and what keeps her reaching for her camera almost every single day. We also get into her gear journey, the playful creative experiments she loves, and what it's like to grow alongside a photography community from week one. We also explore: Why shooting in manual mode accelerates your learning How aperture, shutter speed, and depth of field shape an image Why bad photos are essential to growing as a photographer Finding your style through street photography Staying motivated and keeping the drive to shoot How a grandparent's influence can shape a lifelong creative path Learning to see and shoot the world through your own perspective If you're a beginner or self-taught photographer trying to build real skills, find your style, and stay inspired, Mariah's story and practical, no-nonsense advice will give you ideas you can put into practice the moment you pick up your camera. Show Notes: Mariah Adams Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahannphotog/ Welcome to the Big Photo Hunt , arguably the worlds friendliest photography community. Some more stuff for you: The Big Photo Hunt is the world's friendliest photography community. Ken Deckinger created a YouTube channel for learnings and tips. And of course, the Big Photo Hunt is on Instagram .
