Ask any recovering drug/alcohol addict what step number one is on the road to recovery and he or she will tell you the answer: admitting you have a problem. I might not be an addict, but I certainly have a problem.
You see, as of today I have been working as a professional photojournalist for almost two years. Prior to this profession, photography had been a hobby of mine for roughly eight years. I began with film, but the settings on my cameras were always on "automatic." The auto setting allows the amateur a pretty good chance at getting decently exposed film, but it also means the camera is in charge, thus leaving the photographer without a clue in how to use his/her tool effectively.
Over the past few years, after being exposed to countless professional photographers, I started to notice a drastic difference between their images and my own. Aside from years of experience being revealed in their work, I noticed that their exposures were kicking my ass. So, today I decided to admit I need help. And today, I am taking myself through a lesson that many learn in Photo 101: How to gain proper exposure using the sunny 16 rule.
During my brief stint in photo school, for some reason this rule and practice never really clicked in my brain. So, today will be the first day of my project in learning to master the technique. All photographs posted here will include very little editing, because the goal will of course be getting things right "in camera." I want to be able to get past my technical struggles so that I can focus more on searching and waiting for those decisive moments. I want to stop being embarrassed in front of my subjects while I fumble around with my camera settings when I should instead be engaging with them and learning about them as people. As a lover of documentary work, I want to be able to focus on the story and not what I'm holding in my hands.
Hopefully, 365 days from today, a drastic improvement will be viewed in my photographs. And hopefully the lessons learned and posted here will help educate others who find themselves struggling with the same problems.
Anyway, here's to self-education! Let the journey begin.
1 comment:
I admire you Micah...it's not easy admitting that you need to work on something, let alone, putting your growing process out there for the world to see. I love your style and think you're already incredibly talented. I can't wait to see what you learn from this and how your photographs improve.
"As a lover of documentary work, I want to be able to focus on the story and not what I'm holding in my hands." I hate being that photographer that's fumbling with my equipment. If you aren great with equivalent exposures, this might be a good time to practice too.
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