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Hello, .

If we look up the word photography, we'll discover it originated in Greece.

It means "writing with light."

Admittedly, I take some liberties with the meaning.

Specifically, instead of thinking of photography as writing with light, I think of photography as "communicating with a recording of light."

After all, writing is a form of communication.

When I think of communication, I think about its intent.

Instead of using a pen (the tool) to communicate with a recording of words, we photographers usually use a camera (the device) to speak with a light recording.

To Be a Better Photographer-Study and Practice These Three Things 

Overall, there are three things we need to study and practice if we want to be better photographers. 

Camera Operation

We need to know how to use a camera to communicate.

We need to learn to use a camera because what we do with a camera is essential to how we compose our photographs.

To be sure, everything we do with our camera is an element of our composition.

Therefore, we must pay attention to what we do with our camera while considering the elements of composition.

In other words, what happens visually to our photograph when we change the aperture (f-stop), shutter speed, and ISO? 

Additionally, just like all pens may look different, they're all nothing more than a writing tool.

Similarly, it goes for cameras.

However, even though all cameras do the same thing, they do the same thing differently.

And this is where our owner's manual comes in.

However, the printed version of the owner's manuals that usually comes in the box with us needs to help us learn to use the camera to its fullest potential.

With that in mind, here's how to get the best version of your owner's manual for your camera.

Composition

Everything we do influences our composition, and as I've mentioned, rules of composition dumb down our work by limiting us to formulaic approaches that homogenize our work.

Instead, think of elements of composition.

Rules of composition limit us creatively, while we can combine elements of composition to produce nearly endless variations of photographs.  

So, it's in our best interest to disregard the creativity-killing rules of composition.

Instead, let's bring our attention to compositional elements, which allow us to create a limitless range of unique and engaging photographs.

And everything we do and work with is an element of composition.

In short, light is the raw material we use to create our photographs, and the camera is the tool we use to record light.

Here's what's important when it comes to composition

If we want to be better visual communicators (create more engaging compositions), we must be more involved in our photography studies and practice.

Specifically, we need to be clear about our intent to communicate and use our camera operation, the light we're working with, and the elements of composition to create a picture that visually represents our intended communication.

Light

As mentioned, light is the raw material we work with, and just as a potter is familiar with the characteristics of clay, we need to be familiar with the characteristics of light.  

When we become familiar with the characteristics of light, we'll have a firm understanding of the compositions we can create with it.

By studying and practicing photography with me, you'll learn how to be a better photographer. 

Take your pick of how you'd like to learn with me below.