This blog is to give any beginners that leg-up that I didn’t have when I first started. I’ll be sharing my experiences, as well as everything I’ve learned up to this point. I’m still learning, but I’m happy to share that information as well. I’ll be sharing my processes (yes, I’ll be processing film) and any tips and tricks I come across.
I am in no way shape or form, an expert when it comes to photography. I still consider myself a novice. I don’t even really feel comfortable referring to myself as a photographer. I enjoy photography. I enjoy creating imagery through my camera, but I think I’ve barely broken the surface as far as being an actual photographer.
I’ve had cameras around me for a long time, but I’ve never really shown as deep interest in it as I have today. I love talking about photography. I love discussing techniques and ideas with other creatives and I love talking about new gear. It could be a borderline obsession…or at least that’s the way I see it.
I remember taking a photography class in high school but I think I only took it to fill an elective spot in my schedule. I deeply regret not really paying attention to the curriculum, but then again…I’m glad I ended up going the route that I did.
Over 15 years later, I decided to pick up a camera again and start taking it seriously. I obsessed about it. I’m talking really obsessed. 90 percent of my search history was photography related. I wanted to understand what I was doing, or what I was supposed to be doing. I would bug my friends that were seasoned professionals in the photog world. My photos never really shined like I wanted them to. This further drove my obsession.
I started buying books. I started researching photographers and really put time into understanding why their photos delivered so much impact and mine lacked that same luster. I got to a point where I only assumed “it must be the camera…I have to go bigger and better.” I constantly upgraded my setup, buying new glass and new camera bodies. Three systems later, I’d eventually come to accept that it really all has to do with the photographer and the camera is simply JUST a tool.
If you are new to photography, I hope I can inspire you to not be so fixated on said tool. I’d hope to drive you to simply create and focus (pun intended) on mastering the basics of composition and painting with light.