Hello, .
I wanted to share an experience of studying and practicing photography without a camera.
When I attended a business networking event on the rooftop of a hotel in Washington, DC. I got a surprise lesson in light.
The introvert in me dreads going to
these networking things, but my self-employed side grabs me by the collar and drags me there.
What was a mildly uncomfortable event for me to attend was a way to study and practice photography by observing and describing light.
We don't need a camera to study and practice photography by observing and describing light.
In other words, there is always an opportunity to study and practice, especially when observing and describing light.
When I arrived at the networking event, it was an active shindig.
As I walked in, an organization representative greeted me and encouraged me to get something at the open bar.
To acclimate myself, I walked around the rooftop to get a feel for the crowd and take in the views of the city.
What caught my attention was that the sun was setting as I looked west, and the moon rose when I looked east.
It was pure luck to witness the
lesson in light sources that the natural elements of the sun and the moon provided.
This lesson reinforced my understanding of light's characteristics and reminded me that the photographer in me finds light intriguing.
It also reminded me that every experience, even a business event, can be a source of tapping into the photographer in us and engaging in our studies and practice.
The sun is an illuminating or transmitting light source.
The moon, on the other hand, is a reflective light source.
This means that it does not emit its own light but instead reflects a transmitting or illuminating light source, in this case, the sun, making it (the moon) visible to
us.
Furthermore, as the characteristics of the illuminating light source change, so do the aspects of the reflective light sources.
For instance, when the sun is low on the horizon, it produces a reddish-orange, warm, hard Light source, creating a scene filled with shadows,
The moon then reflects this warm light, resulting in a warm-looking moon with a golden hue often seen during a full moon or when it is low on the horizon.
Light is the raw material we work with.
The camera is the tool we use to record the light we see.
Photography is not just about the camera and the light.
It's about the power of our
minds to intentionally communicate our vision through the pictures we create.
It's an intellectual engagement as much as it is a visual one.
A well-rounded study and practice, like the one presented during the Introduction to Photography class, involves:
- Camera operation.
- Observing and
describing light.
- Basing compositions based on intentionally communicating facts or opinions with our photographs.
We can study and practice our photography whenever we feel compelled to become better
photographers.
Take a group class or private lesson with me.
I've got Introduction to Photography classes scheduled and remember that any of my classes can be taken as a single private lessons or a series of private lessons, so don't hesitate to take advantage of them.
I hope you've been studying and practicing your photography.
The ways to study and practice photography with me are below.
Call me if you need help determining the best course for you.
I'll help you be a better photographer—study and practice photography with me.
Currently scheduled classes are below.
Smaller classes mean better learning, so class sizes are limited to 5 participants plus me.
But smaller classes also mean spots fill up quicker, so sign up soon.
And what if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled group classes? Private in-person or online lessons suited to
your schedule are always an option.
And remember, we learn and improve by doing, so practice making at least one picture daily.
That's all for now; thanks for reading!
Sam
