Digital Photography - It’s Not Rocket Science

One of the joys of the digital photography age is that it’s much easier for anyone to take great pictures.  Most people are only interested in snap shots.  This is no big surprise.  We now live in an age where picture is easier than at any time in history.

Today almost every electronic device made has a camera.  We can take a picture and share it within seconds, with the entire world if we want. However, there are those who don’t want to settle for snap shots, who want to take better pictures.  That’s what this blog is for.

One of the great advancements is the number of high quality digital cameras that are now being offered for sale.  A semi-serious photographer no long needs to spend thousands of dollars to get solid, semi-pro equipment.  

What's missing with most of these purchases is the basic education that helps the average person take above average photos.  Photography is not rocket science, or any other type of science for that matter.  All it really takes is an understanding of how the camera works, the willingness to apply some basic composition fundamentals, and taking a lot of pictures.  

Photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson once said “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.”  Like most other things in life, the amount of time you put in practicing will determine how good you get at it.  I’m not a natural born artist (contrary to what my wife thinks).  I’ve struggled over the years to learn how to take a good picture.  I firmly believe that if I can do it, most anyone can.

The North Bay region of California offers many wonderful settings to learn to take pictures: the coast, redwoods, vineyards and wonderful community events; we are never “out of season” to take photographs.  There are a number of photography clubs in the area that offer new shooters the chance to share their work and get needed feedback from experienced photography buffs.  

I was 17 when a friend first invited me to go out taking pictures with him.  I haven’t stopped since.  During the past 35 years I’ve earned a BA in photojournalism, worked for several different news organizations, taught photography, shot weddings, landscapes, and my family and friends.  I’ve been fortunate to have knowledgeable instructors and co-workers who were willing to give me a swift kick in the backside (literally) when I needed it.  I’ve won awards for some of my work and had others torn-up during critiques because they were so bad. 

What I hope to do with this blog is share some of what I’ve learned over the years and make good photography a little easier to understand and achieve.  I’ll share some of my photography as examples of what I’m trying to demonstrate.  Feel free to e-mail me questions or your pictures if you want constructive critiques.  Just be careful if all you want to hear is “nice photo”.