Learning photography like all graphic arts is largely the art of learning to see all over again, and in the course of learning to see, you learn the techniques, tips and tricks that allow you to master the art of capturing those unique points of view that are fixed in good and great photographs.
In the course of your life you are exposed to millions of photographs which until you decided to learn photography you took for granted, but which could now become a treasure trove of information that you can use to improve your skills. Studying, not just looking at the photographs you see in newspapers, magazines, books and on the internet, will teach you the language of vision, and the more you apply your critical thinking skills to these studies the better you become at seeing the photographic possibilities when you look in to the camera view finder.
Where to find photographs to study...
Your daily newspaper will contain a full range of photographs from accidents to portraits to sports action. Magazines especially the glossies, even old issues will more than likely have better printed photographs covering genres from food photography to landscapes and even advertising photos. Invest in one or more photo journals. Millions of pictures are posted to the internet everyday in news and other pages and more recently in social media and quite a number of these photos are from very good photographers.
What to look for...
First things first - take a second and even a third look at the photographs that 'catch your eye' so to speak. Try to explain what caught your attention and determine if it is reproducible. Of course if you are not enrolled in a class you'll be reading photography books or taking an Ecourse and learning the technical stuff like composition - the rule of thirds etc; focus - is the picture sharp or blurred and out of focus to catch a particular mood? Colour - is it sharp and not washed out; detail - look for detail where you think it is needed to tell the story; and lighting which very often determines the tone. Do the same thing for some of the bad photographs you come across. You'll find that the more skilled you become the more bad photographs you'll see. Take a note of what makes them bad, so you'll know what not to do.
Here are some tips for improving the learning process. Start a 'swipe file' of photographs that impress you. A 'swipe file' is a collection of photographs that you have studied or intend to study. It could be a collection of clippings in a shoebox or a database on your computer if you are an orderly personality. Make notes on the photographs in your swipe file. Whenever you can find them, note the technical details like lens and shutter speed wherever supplied by the photographer.
What to do...
Take photographs! Take photographs! Take photographs! Try to emulate some of the shots you study. This is easier shooting object still-lifes, landscapes and people who you could pose and light. Using a digital camera you do not have costs for film and developing. Analyze your photographs for the same criteria you studied the samples and take more photographs, take more photographs, take more photographs.
posted by michaelabela.weebly.com
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