Hello, .
While teaching Introduction To Photography and Intermediate Photography lessons, I mention complexity.
Expressly, I point out the complexity of the work we do.
Once I point it out, photographers can engage in complex thought and compositional awareness, which deepens their visual awareness, vocabulary, and toolbox.
And how, because of their complex process, they can create more engaging and unique photographs.
I make it a point to distinguish between difficult (hard) photography and complex photography.
I point out that difference because I want to ensure photographers understand that complexity does not mean difficulty.
Difficult (Hard) Photography
Most photographers contact me about my
classes because they find photography difficult.
We usually experience frustration and disappointment because we find photography difficult.
And we typically experience difficulty as photographers when our photographs come out differently than intended.
But, what we once perceived as difficult becomes easier through understanding.
And in our case, as photographers, that understanding comes through our photography studies and
practice.
Specifically, our photography is easier and more enjoyable when we understand what we do as photographers.
And our understanding of what we do with camera operation, elements of composition, and our observation of light results in a photograph.
The benefits of understanding result in the following:
- Decreasing the time and effort in creating pictures
- Seeing how our circumstances and conditions influence the outcome of our photography
- An increase in our confidence and capabilities
- Increasing the accuracy during our compositional process
- An increase in our ability to create the best pictures possible
Complex Photography
Complex does not mean difficult.
When it comes to photography, complexity means there's multiple elements or parts in a photograph.
We can also think of this as a composite.
An analogy can be the difference between an amoeba, made of a single cell, and a human, made of trillions on top of trillions of cells.
Again, our difficulty comes from our lack of understanding.
Once we understand, we can begin working with the complexities of photography.
Our photography can be complex depending on how we think about our actions while making a picture and what we do.
On the other hand, it
can be simple for the same reasons.
And, of course, there's the depth of complexity, which varies.
I prefer a complex approach to photography.
A complex approach leads to more interesting and unique photographs,
allowing us to explore different perspectives and elements in our composition.
I enjoy creating and seeing what appears to be a complex photograph.
Furthermore, because more complex photographs seem more interesting, I spend more time engaged with what I see.
We create complex photographs by observing and understanding the light we see (visual awareness) and defining our composition intent.
Once we have defined our intent of composition,
we create our photograph with the purpose of camera operation based on our intent of composition.
With complexity comes:
- A way of thinking
- An intricate knowing
- Specific expectations
- An increased and
more specific range of learning activity
- An ability to understand, recognize, and communicate abstract concepts
- The photographs we make improve because the quality of our responses improves.
The Paradox of Complexity
The paradox of complexity in our photography studies and practice is that with complexity comes simplicity.
In other words, because we understand the complexities of photography and can work with them, we can create photographs more efficiently, confidently, and uniquely.
What We Do Is Up to Us
As usual, since life and our photography are full of choices, we can work in a complex or not-complex way.
If your camera offers a choice of
exposure modes, the best way to learn the complexities of photography is to work in a fully manual mode.
On the other hand, if we want to avoid our involvement in the complexities, we should use fully automatic exposure mode.
And if we're using the camera on our phone, we can still participate in a substantial chunk of photography's complexities.
Whatever we choose to do, it's essential that we're happy with our work.
And if we're not
because our pictures are not coming out the way we want them to, complexity is the way.
Introduction To Photography classes start soon, and you'll be able to learn to create engaging, complex photographs in time for the holidays.
By studying and practicing photography with me, you'll learn how to be a
better photographer.
More ways to study and practice with me are below.
