A new viewer to my website may not realize that the images they see as they wander through the site, are not the entire collection of my work. The images displayed herein are just some of my favorites, and that changes . Hopefully they will become some your favorites as well. I often find myself struggling when selecting the images to display on the site. One can easily recognize this when viewing the variety of images displayed. I think the variety of images comes from my struggle to defining my photographic genre. I try and take my camera with me everywhere I go (a rule learned at Rocky Mountain School of Photography). And in doing so, I find myself shooting a variety of subjects (genres), and that is a good thing. Shooting anything and everything makes you a better photographer. You just may discover an area of photography that really peaks your interest, finally your genre.
Recently, after playing around with some lighting techniques, I found myself doing a little portrait photography. I had always felt that Portrait Photography was just not my thing. I have become fascinated with lighting, as it is yet another part of that science of photography. I find myself experimenting and trying new techniques that I have learned from recent classes, from the teachings of others, or just through trial and error. This is the joy I receive from being a photographer, trying something new, experimenting, learning. There is so much to this adventure ; it never ceases to amaze me. I encourage all photographers new and old to keep learning, experimenting, and trying new ideas.
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I am working with a new photographer who has never really had any knowledge of photography other than set the camera to AUTO and take pictures. He has a brand new mirrorless camera and is on his way to really learning photography. In our first session, he mentioned how he wanted to take images of the upcoming Fourth of July fireworks, but was hesitant because he did not know how. After a little coaching I told him, “experiment”. Try to use what you have learned to date and build on that. Play with your camera. Have some fun and forget about I-don’t-know-how, or trying to make everything perfect.
I think we all fall into the trap of failing to try something new. We hesitate for fear of making a mistake, or of producing something that is not the best. We all need to remember, what is on your camera memory card is yours and only yours. You have control of what happens to those new techniques and trial images Nobody sees them.unless you allow that. You don’t have to show them to anyone, but do not throw them away. Create an experimentation folder in your post processing software catalog and toss them in there for now. There will be a time when you will look back at those images and you will remember what you did, why you did it, and the results being good or bad.
The one thought that you should take with you from here is. Have fun and enjoy the experience of trying something new.