On Learning Photography
took a long, roundabout route to learning photography. That's because I started with black and white film long before digital photography came into existence. Camera technology was much simpler then. You focused your lens by hand because autofocus had not been invented. You had to measure light using the camera's meter and set the exposure accordingly. And, most importantly, you captured your image on film. So every photograph you took cost real money.
But then, as now, there were two parts to learning photography. The first part was technical. One had to learn enough about photography technique so that, at the end of all that processing, one had a photograph that was not too dark, not too light and not too blurry. This is the part that has changed significantly over the decades I started on photography, because the technology has changed dramatically.
The second part of learning photography was the aesthetics. This part has not changed appreciably over the years. Aesthetics is how you compose your photograph. Broadly speaking, it means organizing the things you see in your viewfinder so the picture speaks to the viewer. In my opinion this part is far more important than the technical part. It is also harder to learn.
People often ask me for pointers on how to take good photographs. When we discuss their camera and how they are using it, I frequently discover that they are lost in the ridiculously intricate features offered by their camera. And if you are feeling confused or unsure about the tool, how can you use it to craft a beautiful, powerful work of art?
Looking back at my learning curve, I realize that I tried to streamline all the technical stuff into basic, simple steps. Make no mistake, there was plenty of technology to confuse the photographer and lighten his wallet even back then: filters, lenses, tripods, flashes... – there was no end to them. But I kept my setup simple – one camera and one lens – and concentrated my energy into learning composition and my money into buying film.
How would this change today for someone with a digital camera trying to improve their photography skills? I strongly believe one should keep the technology simple and manageable so one can concentrate on making pictures. The first step is to choose one camera and one lens and stick to that combination. With all the different modes and settings for the camera, try to find a combination that works for you and stick with it. Perhaps it is “Program” mode with “Continuous” autofocus. The point is to set it there and forget about it while you take your pictures. (I spent a morning shooting with great National Geographic photographer Sam Abell. Before my eyes he made amazing photographs using only Program mode.)
With the bells and whistles out of the way, you can concentrate on composing the photograph. After choosing your subject, there are two things you must consciously watch before pressing the shutter. These should become second nature. The first is the light, which makes your picture. The second is the background, which can destroy your picture. Understanding light takes practice and feedback. Background is easier once you become aware of it. There are other things to watch for but you will eliminate a lot of frustration if you watch these two.
Depending on your favourite subjects, you will outgrow your fixed camera settings one day. When that day comes, you will know. Hopefully by then you will have learned to compose and light your photograph for best results.
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