Stop taking pictures
This post was inspired by working with photographers during my Introduction To Photography Class
STOP!!!
Before you make your next photograph. Or better yet, while in the process of making your next photograph just stop.
Stop and ask yourself this question.
Am I taking pictures or am I making pictures?
What’s the difference?
On one hand, I think that when we “take” pictures we have less input into the process of being a photographer and creating photographs.
On the other hand, I think that when we “make” pictures we have more input into the process of being a photographer and creating photographs.
To clarify. I think it’s all about our process as photographers.
And, in general, what we do appears to be quite simple.
Because, in general, what we do is see, get an impulse to make a picture, and either make a picture or not make a picture.
But it’s not as simple as it seems.
Getting involved in the complexities.
To be clear, I’m not saying it’s difficult, I’m saying it’s complex.
If we consider a photograph as the result of many different connected parts/processes then we can begin to understand the complexity of our photography.
And when we get involved in the complexity/process of our photography, we become better photographers.
Because we become better photographers, we create better photographs.
In other words, we create compositions that are the best compositions we can create at the time of making the picture.
Because the camera doesn’t matter as much as the photographer using the camera.
Stop taking pictures.
By being involved in what we do when we’re “making” pictures.
For starters take a good look at what the light is doing.
That light is our subject.
And that light is what gets our attention and initiates the impulse to make a picture.
If we start with observing what we’re seeing (light).
And then begin to think about how what we’re seeing would make a good photograph.
Then, we’ve begun the process of composing the picture.
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https://samdamico.com/photography-classes-and-photography-courses/
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https://samdamico.com/upcoming-group-photography-classes-washington-dc/
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See Sam’s Photographs
https://photographs.samdamico.com