So the time has come, you've seen the view, person, building, skyline whatever it is you want to take a picture of. you lift your camera to your eye, frame the picture and click. There you have it, or have you. You get home, hook up the camera to your PC, the image comes on screen and..... Disappointment. What went wrong, it looked fine through the naked eye, it looked fine through the view finder. So what went wrong.
This is a question that all photographers have asked them selves at one point or another. What does go wrong.
I wish I could tell you but I'm still trying to work it out.
Is it the lens, the light, the camera or am I just rubbish at photography. I refuse to accept the last option so it must be one of the first three. After all I do get compliments from time to time on my photography. I've even patted myself on the back on occasion and while these moments are getting more frequent with practice I am still confronted by the above question over and over again. It looks good to me and yet my camera just doesn't get it.
Of course at the start it didn't help that I photographed anything and everything instead of concentrating on a particular subject. Now, I am happy to say, I think I have found just what it is that truly interests me. Portraits. I find this to be far more rewarding than anything else. I still like shooting buildings and landscapes, sun sets and close ups (who doesn't) but its in the field of taking someone's portrait that I am truly getting satisfaction. Capturing the beauty of someone's smile, especially a child, is really rewarding. you can really feel the moment.
But even with this there are times when I think I've got it and yet when the picture is on screen it just isn't the same. A lot can be done in Photoshop of course and a good lens does help. But, I am at the point of realisation that it actually is the fourth point and not the first three that is important. Practice makes perfect as they say and there is really no substitute for it. No matter how good you think you are, no matter how good the equipment is, confidence and equipment will only get you so far. Raw, naked skill is the essence of photography and this is achieved by one thing. Practice and focus on one given field. I need more weddings, christenings and just days out with people who don't mind me sticking my lens in their face from time to time. Luckily I have some friends like this but how do I get people to let me invade their weddings and other events when I'm not an established photographer. I guess I just have to volunteer my services for free and hope I get some takers. Not too many and not too soon I may hasten to add. Patience and time are of the essence, better to walk before I run and run slowly before I charge. Once I am capable of charging then maybe I can start charging, if you know what I mean.
This my good friends is my next challenge.
To finish off, a picture I shot while on holiday in Majorca of my wonderful wife.
This is a question that all photographers have asked them selves at one point or another. What does go wrong.
I wish I could tell you but I'm still trying to work it out.
Is it the lens, the light, the camera or am I just rubbish at photography. I refuse to accept the last option so it must be one of the first three. After all I do get compliments from time to time on my photography. I've even patted myself on the back on occasion and while these moments are getting more frequent with practice I am still confronted by the above question over and over again. It looks good to me and yet my camera just doesn't get it.
Of course at the start it didn't help that I photographed anything and everything instead of concentrating on a particular subject. Now, I am happy to say, I think I have found just what it is that truly interests me. Portraits. I find this to be far more rewarding than anything else. I still like shooting buildings and landscapes, sun sets and close ups (who doesn't) but its in the field of taking someone's portrait that I am truly getting satisfaction. Capturing the beauty of someone's smile, especially a child, is really rewarding. you can really feel the moment.
But even with this there are times when I think I've got it and yet when the picture is on screen it just isn't the same. A lot can be done in Photoshop of course and a good lens does help. But, I am at the point of realisation that it actually is the fourth point and not the first three that is important. Practice makes perfect as they say and there is really no substitute for it. No matter how good you think you are, no matter how good the equipment is, confidence and equipment will only get you so far. Raw, naked skill is the essence of photography and this is achieved by one thing. Practice and focus on one given field. I need more weddings, christenings and just days out with people who don't mind me sticking my lens in their face from time to time. Luckily I have some friends like this but how do I get people to let me invade their weddings and other events when I'm not an established photographer. I guess I just have to volunteer my services for free and hope I get some takers. Not too many and not too soon I may hasten to add. Patience and time are of the essence, better to walk before I run and run slowly before I charge. Once I am capable of charging then maybe I can start charging, if you know what I mean.
This my good friends is my next challenge.
To finish off, a picture I shot while on holiday in Majorca of my wonderful wife.
Till next time....
The Voice has spoken
Could you email me your address, I'd like to send something to Otilia :)
ReplyDeleteliinajb at gmail dot com