Writing with Light. What Do I Know?
Not as much as many, but the things I do know, have been learned the hard way. Here’s ten:
Expensive cameras and lenses can be a delight to turn in your hand, but won’t make you a better photographer.
“Seeing” requires suffering, even if it’s the simple suffering of applying effort-after-effort and not achieving the desired results.
Photography means “drawing with light”. Once you master the mechanics of your picture-taking machine, you’re left with the task of understanding light.
Although camera manufacturer marketing focuses on sensor resolution (megapixels), other features of a camera are much more important.
It’s about the house, not the hammer. Cameras and lenses are just tools to display the product of your creative mind.
Have a camera with you always.
Creative people are frequently introverts. You’ll find it’s a useful skill to cultivate a personal style that puts people at ease. Push yourself.
If you haven’t yet, try a film camera. You may be surprised at the influence it exerts.
Cellphones have automated much of the technical mastery of photography. Even so, images at-large haven’t improved. Good Art remains hard to make.
No one cares about your photography. Still… persist.
