I recently purchased a new camera. One that is meant to help me become the photographer I aspire to be. Since then, I have been reading blogs and forums (fora?), reading books, and watching videos on photography and cameras to learn what I can. There are many, many incredible photographers out there, and I tip my hat to all of them! One of the most valuable resources I have found, so far, has been a site that offers photography lessons and discussions (http://theartofphotography.tv/). In the first lesson, I was asked to put my camera away and to take myself to three different locations to determine whether I might want to take pictures there. But, it was more than that. I had to stay for half an hour, and, if I did NOT initially want to take pictures, I was to think about what might make me want to - focusing on a particular element; coming back when it was more busy, less busy, lighter, darker, raining, sunny; working with colour, or not; zooming in to a tiny detail or paying attention to the biggest possible view. In essence - relax, wait, observe and look for "redeeming" qualities. Or, if I thought I might want to take a picture, do the same as above - don't rush to judgment, see if perhaps there was more to the picture than was first obvious. This has been a very rewarding exercise and one that I have been applying elsewhere in my life. We are often quick to judge someone or something, as either good or bad, and then to respond accordingly. Perhaps if we slowed down a little, and took time to observe, we might find a new way of seeing what is right in front of us.
Photos: C. Norris
Photos: C. Norris
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