As I look at the various topics that I’ve blogged about (or am planning to blog about), there’s a variety of information being presented… but I want to make sure that nobody loses sight of what should be most important for a photographer.
Create beautiful photos. Lots of them.
Taking photos (nearly) every day, instead of only on special photography trips, is probably the number one thing I have done to improve my skill. Practice might not always make perfect, but it usually leads to improvement. Why aren’t you taking more photos? What might be a barrier to photography?
- Impractical Photo Gear: When my only camera was my DSLR (and assorted lenses) it wasn’t always convenient to lug around my photo backpack so that I could easily take photos. I now also have a quality, point-and-shoot digital camera (Canon S90
) that I try to carry with me everywhere. You can’t take a photo if you don’t have a camera.
- No Time: Even when you’re not explicitly making time, you can take photos. Have a few minutes at a bus stop? Look around. Waiting for a friend or co-worker to meet you somewhere? Look around. Taking your garbage can out to the curb? Look around. Going out to eat? Look ar… well, you get the idea.
- Routine Locations: If you’re tired of shooting the same things, try a bit of variety. Spend your lunch hour walking in a direction you haven’t explored. A lot of interesting things are often located just out of sight of your normal routine.
There’s an old photojournalism adage that states the most important thing in photography is “f/8 and be there” — you can’t take a photo unless you’re there with a camera. Be there, have your camera, and take more photos. Until that happens, the social media stuff is a low priority.
Photo by adobemac, used under Creative Commons licensing
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