photo 16 Jan 2007 01:58 pm
Time, learning, progress
Blog post: learning, time, etc
Learning photography is something that I’ve found to be relatively analogous to learning to make music. The fact that I’ve taken a largely digital approach to both is a contributing factor, surely, but the similarities are astounding. There’s a need to learn how to use various equipment and software. There are plug-ins to the software that one most evaluate and decide to use or not. Then there’s the body of work that everyone else has done with which to compare oneself.
I would say that I’ve been more successful at photography so far. I’m basing this largely on my own perception of the things I’ve done. I’ve also been much better at maintaining a steady stream of output with photography.
Here are two recent photographs that are playing with the same theme:
I took the above picture as we were leaving this bar. I struggled a lot with whether to do it in color or not. The black and white version looked really great, but I feel like the color adds a little more to it. I like the simplicity of the color, and it highlights the sign in the reflection a lot better.
A few weeks ago it got really foggy one night. I grabbed my tripod and headed to an intersection near the lake to shoot. I took a bunch of shots and then I noticed that the mist was collecting all over my lens and camera. I grabbed this as that one last shot before I wiped everything off and went home. The distortion caused by the water turned out really cool.
So, back to me blathering. My realization lately is that the best way for me to get better at something is to just try, and try a lot. I know you’re supposed to learn that in second grade, and I did, but I just memorized it. I didn’t really learn it.
I’ve been reading the blog of a tattoo shop apprentice. He has a good post on the state of his learning. I like how he steps back to examine where he is. That’s something I’ve been trying to do. Here are some things off the top of my head:
1. My composition skills need work. I didn’t start seriously investigating composition until recently when I realized how important it is and how much I need to think about it. Thinking about it and trying things out seems to be helping a lot.
2. I’m getting better at sorting through loads of pictures. I made a quick portfolio of Roller Derby pictures yesterday. I sorted through around 1000 photos and picked out 24. It wasn’t super quick, but I did it and processed all the pictures in one afternoon.
3. I’ve absorbed a number of post-processing techniques, but I’d like to learn more.
4. I’d like to shot more varied situations. I need to learn to be comfortable shooting strangers on the street, or at public events. I took some sports pictures the other day and may be doing some wedding photography this summer.
One of the ever present concerns with learning is time. I’d like to learn every technique and plug-in I find, but that would take too much time. I have to filter the things I decide to learn. I’m getting better at it.
on 17 Jan 2007 at 4:50 pm 1.bon bon said …
hey chris,
i knew i could count on you to have roller derby photos! i arrived at 7pm. too late if you care to actually VIEW the roller derby, so i didn’t stay. are you going to be at their christmas party this thursday? if so, maybe i’ll run into you. my husband did an illustration for them so we’ll be there.
i know what you mean about being brave enough to approach people. i tend to be a wall flower with the camera myself. the composition stuff comes fairly easy being a designer, and working with studio photographers. technically, i’m more comfortable with photoshop then knowing how to set my camera. as you touched on, an overwhelming amount of info is out. too much for ME to take in. :o)
on 17 Jan 2007 at 5:28 pm 2.thechrisproject said …
I actually didn’t get very many photos of this bout. None worth posting, at least, none that are of actual derby action. The portfolio I put together was one that I’m hoping to use to leverage a press pass of sorts so I can get access to take better derby pics. They’ve used a few of my shots on their webpage, so I’m hoping they’ll be open to the idea. I also write for one of their sponsors, dane101.com (a madison group blog), so maybe that will help too. Back in the first season I could walk around and take pictures from a few different spots. Now you’re lucky to be in one spot where you can see. There were people on the lockers on Saturday!
I won’t be at the party, but if you can get a good word for me in anywhere, it’d help. Free publicity for them!
But back to the post… I’m actually fairly opposite to you then. Being a programmer, the knowledge about setting my camera comes fairly easily. So does using photoshop in a way (I’m the kinda guy that loves learning keyboard shortcuts so I can work faster). I never formally learned composition or been working with people who have, and I’ve only recently begun my informal education. I think it’s going well, though. It’s definitely fun.
on 23 Jan 2007 at 12:40 am 3.bon bon said …
i know what you mean about being able to actually SEE them last year. it almost became too popular too fast. good for them, i suppose.
keep up all your efforts! i have come across your work on dane 101, and you’ve got some great shots on your stream. maybe we’ll cross paths at some concert or something one of these days…we’ll both have cameras.
on 02 Jul 2007 at 5:20 pm 4.thechrisproject photography » Catching up on links said …
[…] George Barr’s blog is kinda hit or miss for me, but he has some really nice insights. The recent entry comparing music to photography really resonated with me. I’ve commented on the photo/music connection before. […]