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Hello, .

This quote by Henri Cartier-Bresson resonates with me. 

"I hope that we don't ever see the day when ready-made photo system, which guarantees good photographic compositions in advance, go on the market." - Cartier-Bresson, Henri. "HCB On Photography." American Photo, Collector's Issue-Master Series Number 2 Henri Cartier-Bresson, American Photographic Publishing Company, Sept./Oct. 1997, p. 76.

Unfortunately, I think those types of cameras are what many camera manufacturers have attempted to create.

Auto-exposure, auto-focus, face detection, and the list of auto features goes on.

The result is that the camera is more involved in creating the photograph than the photographer. 

What's missing is the thought process of the photographer.

When we work in an automatic exposure mode, we take our thought process out of our photography. 

If we want to create visually unique photographs that result from our efforts and not the outcome of a mindless, unfeeling camera algorithm, we must be thoughtfully involved in camera operation, composition, and light.

Henri Cartier-Bresson recognized that creating good photography involved the photographer more than the camera.

He realized that we need to use the camera to make visually unique photographs that result from our efforts and not the result of a mindless, unfeeling camera algorithm taking pictures for us.

In other words, we can rely on our minds to thoughtfully make a picture or depend on a machine to mindlessly take a picture for us. 

There are three Introduction To Photography classes starting in early December.

We’ll meet for the first three meetings, which cover some of the class's most important material, before December 19 and then meet for our final meeting in January.

More classes are below.

Do you need to learn to use your camera or brush up on some skills and techniques, especially if you want to be ready to take pictures and record those holiday moments?

I've scheduled Introduction to Photography and Getting to Know Your Camera classes.

Since class sizes are limited to five participants, it's a good idea to reserve your spot as soon as possible.

If you need a different schedule, there's always Private Lessons.

Below are more ways to learn photography with me.

The Introduction to Photography class or a series of Private Lessons will help you study and practice to become a photographer who can make the best possible pictures.

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.