Learning photography is far more difficult than understanding what we've learned as photographers.
When we're learning something new, it doesn't seem easy because it's new, and because of that newness, we don't understand.
But at some point, our learning turns to understanding, and that's only possible through our studies and practice.
It's the understanding that's important.
And to maintain our understanding, we need to practice as often as possible, ideally every day.
It doesn't have to be for long periods; it just needs to be enough time to reinforce what we learned, and once we begin to understand, our studies and practice become about reinforcing our understanding and honing our techniques and skills.
At some point, our photography becomes second nature.
And once we learn skills and techniques, we never forget 'em, but we can become a bit rusty due to not
studying and practicing.
For example, I'll work with photographers who've lost their connection with photography.
I'll hear things like, "I used to be into photography, and then life got in the way, and I stopped it, and now I want to pick it up again."
It's not that they lost their understanding; instead, they've lost their fluidity of skills and techniques.
Sometimes, a photographer who used a film camera when they were into photography long ago
finds the digital camera overwhelming.
I understand that because, as someone who learned on a film camera and when digital cameras came around, I found them overwhelming, too.
But as soon as I realized that they (digital cameras) do the same thing as a film camera, I just had to figure out all the settings, all the different metering modes and metering patterns or the focusing modes, exposure modes, etc.
In other words, I had to figure out the camera's ergonomics.
Once we understand photography, we can use any camera.
Because although the cameras may change, what we do as photographers doesn't.
And remember, we learn and improve by doing, so practice making at least one picture daily.
