We can think about doing what's necessary while making photographs in two ways.
One way is to take pictures without understanding photography, and the other is to make pictures based on our understanding of photography.
Taking pictures based on misunderstanding photography is usually in automatic exposure mode or taking a hit-and-miss approach in other exposure modes; this approach results in doing more than we need to do.
Making pictures based on understanding photography is in manual exposure mode; this approach results in doing only what we need to do.
It's frustrating when we make pictures without understanding because although we get a
decent photograph, it's not the image we had in mind, or we make a picture without having anything in mind except framing and content and don't understand why the picture comes out the way it did.
Also, when we make pictures without
understanding, we wind up making more pictures to finally pick one that we're OK with, not thrilled with, but just OK with.
In this case, since we don't understand photography, we're doing more than we need to do.
On the other hand, we're doing what we need to do but putting in a lot more effort and work than we need to; in other words, we're working inefficiently and ineffectively because of our misunderstandings.
When we make pictures in manual exposure mode and understand what we're doing, we're thrilled that we're getting the pictures we had in mind.
Furthermore, because we're working in manual exposure mode, we pick aperture, shutter speed, and ISO as well as focusing modes and areas and metering patterns; we pick these with intent because we understand how our camera operation, composition, and observing and describing light affect how we make a photograph.
In this case, although it seems we're doing more, we're doing just enough to get the picture we want on the first exposure; when we do that, we wind up making one picture to get the one we want instead of multiple pictures to pick the one we're just OK with.
Making fewer pictures is good because there's less photographs to sort through; in other words because of our understanding of photography, we're working efficiently and effectively.
Making intentional pictures efficiently and effectively in manual exposure mode may seem like we're doing more.
But, we're actually doing less when compared to working in the inefficient and ineffective hit-and-miss approach of working in automatic exposure mode.
Why do more than we need to do
to get the pictures we want?
Learn to create photographs from a position of understanding, intent, efficiency, and effectiveness during the Photography Basics (Introduction To Photography) class starting on Sunday, June 1; you can also take this class as a series of Private Lessons.
And remember, we learn and improve by doing, so practice making at least one picture daily.
-------
The Photography Basics (Introduction To Photography) group classes starts soon or you can learn the same stuff as a series of Private Lessons.
More ways to study and practice photography with me are below.
Call me if you need help determining the best course for you.
A note about group class sizes: Did you know that some places that teach photography have up to 25 students in each class?
Bigger ain't always
better.
That's why I limit my group classes to no more than five participants because smaller classes make for better, more effective, and more efficient learning experiences.
But smaller classes also mean spots fill up quicker, so sign up soon.
I'll help you be a better photographer—study and practice photography with
me.
Currently scheduled classes are below.
And what if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled group classes? Private in-person lessons suited to your schedule are always an option.
