Insight:
Information on this page provides the viewer insight about what this photographer understands about the craft. My training to date makes me a novice in the field. I started with digital photography in 2005, and learned by taking courses, doing research and practicing the craft. I soon found a deep seated interest in what could be captured by the camera. Throughout my lifetime I've been interested in art. I dabbled at drawing and painting and posses only limited talent. The camera allows me to capture scenes that I would have liked to have created by hand. I determined early on that you either have an eye for photography or you don't. Some days I am not sure what I see. I keep some really bad pictures so I don't get over confident about my ability.
I spend considerable time in the editing process trying to get the best out of a picture. I'll also take a picture and make it the background for my laptop. Some don't survive the first day while others stay on for a further look. Additional editing allows me to retain the best parts of some scenes. Some are converted to black and white, while others receive a plethora of editing changes. While this is a hobby it provides me with hours of enjoyment.
With the skills I've acquired I teach a photography course for seniors in my local community. The instruction provides them with an overview on camera functions, introduction to composition, editing and printing processes. We also do a brief field trip to build their confidence. The highlight of the classes is critiquing each others photos. I have to say that I learn as much from the students as they learn from me. The center where I teach also provides opportunities to display the finished results in an elegant gallery. It all adds up to a lot of fun.
Relationships:
When doing individual portrait photography there is a need to establish a rapport with the person being photographed. It's no different than when you meet a new person. You have to spend some time to get to know the person. Both the photographer and the person must feel comfortable with one another for the magic to happen.
Before you start, take the time to find out a little about the person, find out what they wish to see in the photograph and exchange ideas. Photographing a person is a very personal and the photographer needs to understand this to build a trust. The photographer wants the person to relax and enjoy the process. When setting up the scene suggest and talk about different options. A digital camera offers an instant picture review where both the photographer and the person can review the result. Ideally, load the camera chip to a laptop to get a full screen shot.
The photographers challenge is not to hurry through the process. Setting up the camera and ancillary equipment allows the event to move smoothly. Do some sample shots to make sure the settings are correct. It's probably fair to say that the photographer may be more finicky than the person being photographed. Don’t let this trait spoil a shoot. Stop and take some time to talk and laugh to keep the tone where the person being photographed stays relaxed. When the shoot is completed, make sure that the results please the person you’ve come to know.
The Eye:
I think back to the cave man and their artistic attempts to create an image of the life around them. As time progressed the desire to capture scenes and images filled the minds of creative humans and many forms of art evolved. When the concepts of the camera first appeared what went on in the minds of the photographer? I once had a book printed in the late 1800s that showed Matthew Brady's pictures. He captured the photographic horror of war for the first time. It created a lasting impression on me. Later photographers like Stieglitz made a dramatic attempt to create an art form and succeeded. I have seen Ansel Adams photographs in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They are so spectacular that I don't feel qualified to comment about his efforts.
The marvelous eye allows us to see so many things. It works in harmony with the brain and affects our senses. As I have learned about photography I see so many more things in life. I can drive by a place and all of sudden there is something there I've never seen before. How did I miss it? The discovery is exciting and you take in more of the scene. The different way lighting affects an image is awesome. Playing with shadows and light to create a scene is something to spend much time on to understand. Look at the different angles and see what is possible to improve a scene. I've looked at what modern photographers are doing and I think we are only beginning to comprehend what is possible. The camera is a relatively new invention and improvements are ongoing. But wait, spend some time looking at some of the marvelous of black and white stills taken in the 1930s. The past, the present and the future give us much to see and comprehend. Spend some time taking in all that is around us. The discoveries will astound you.
Since I first started this blog I've added more pages, and most recently, started adding some of my art attempts. Both photography and doing actual art excite me. If I were to compile a bucket list of things I've accomplished, this site is one of them. I like sharing my efforts with the world. I've added quite a few photos and art in the past year as part of my renewal and extension of the talents I work with. I've learned to do more things with a more critical eye. This aids in expanding my mind. When I work on photography or art, I zone in completely. I apply some Buddhism techniques to improve my efforts. It's all a happy blending and makes me appreciate what we have in this life.
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