The Most Important Thing
As I look at the various topics I have in mind for Photoschooled, I’d like to offer a variety of information, tips, tricks, and lessons learned. But to kick it all off, I want to explicitly state what should be obvious:
Take 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 purchased a relatively inexpensive, yet decent quality, point-and-shoot digital camera 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.
