Learning the art of photography is a daunting task if you want to improve. there are many different views on composition, editing and pretty much everything else. The trouble is that like everything else in art, it is subjective. Personally, I follow several YouTube photographers and that helps to inspire me in my own work. Sometimes I may run across a photographer that makes me second guess myself and what I do. This is a time that I have to remind myself that I have to stick with what I feel is the right approach for me. Since I am creating my work for me first, I have to stay true to myself. If others like it, that’s wonderful, but if not, that’s ok too.
Photo of the Week # 223
A photographer I follow on YouTube has an interesting approach on new gear. He doesn’t push the newest and most expensive gear at you, nor does he even condone you buying it. He is a high end commercial photographer yet he uses equipment that most of us consider obsolete. Why? Because it does the job well and it is inexpensive.
I recently observed a conversation in a Facebook group where a person asked opinions regarding a quite high end PC he was considering for photo editing. He immediately began getting bombarded with opinions on why he should buy MAC and not that PC.
I’m so tired of the whole scene, I’m tired of the snobbery among photographers. I do follow YouTube photographers as I love to learn the craft but honestly, it’s like watching commercials for new and gear that I can’t afford and frankly, don’t need. They can’t even talk about their camera without rhyming off the brand and model of it.
In the real world, not all of us can afford the newest and greatest gear and that’s fine because it’s the photographer not the camera, right? I don’t have one of the new mirrorless bodies and to tell you the truth, I doubt I ever will. Picture quality hasn’t improved really, it’s mostly features that have changed and mostly to do with video, which I don’t do.
Another interesting observation Scott (Tin House Studio) made a point of the fact that if he troubles himself too much with the technical aspect of photography, it can kill the creative part of the job which is what he gets paid for in the first place. I immediately thought of myself as I worry far too much about the technical aspect and not enough about the creativity part.
Photo of the Week # 222
It is said that if you don’t step out of your comfort zone, you don’t grow. I believe this to be true and I value critique in my photography a great deal, but I think that many people look for critique in places that aren’t valuable. The vast majority of people on social media don’t know a good photo, have you seen them complimenting each other on their blurry profile photos? Your friends or family likewise aren’t the people to look to for honest opinions, they like everything you do, or maybe they don’t but they aren’t going to tell you if that’s the case.
For valuable critique, look to people whose work you admire, for obvious reasons. Maybe find a friend you trust who is willing to be honest with you? I don’t wait and count social media likes but I do notice when a few certain people engage because I trust and follow those people. Those are the opinions I do value.
As usual, thoughts and comments always welcome.
Photo of the Week #220
The shot below is a shot I made in southern Utah. With all the famous places in southern Utah, this one might not be as recognizable as others, but that’s one of the things I like to do. Millions of people have images of Monument Valley (so do I), but sometimes you find places that are just as beautiful as the iconic spots but not as “peopley”. Since photographers began sharing their work online, some places are now inundated with people, all lining up to shoot the same photo that thousands before them have already got. You know the old story…..when all the peole are busy looking in one direction, sometimes all you have to do is to look the other.
Photo of the Week # 219
Well, here we are on Labour Day Weekend and I’m looking forward to saying goodbye to the monotone green of summer and hello to a whole new palette for the upcoming season. I don’t get out shooting as much as I’d like but I hope that I can start doing so. As always, feel free to comment.
