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I want this blog to include the important lessons that I'm still learning on my photographic journey. I say "still learning" because these lessons never become final. I find myself being constantly reminded of truths I've previously uncovered through experience or shared by a good teacher. That may be photography's most endearing quality for me. The education never stops. The more I improve, the more I find just how much I still have to learn. New lessons help me to hone my photography "voice", or style, while keeping me connected to the technical skills that make for quality images. It's also surprising how often I'm confronted with a technical question, or adverse condition, only to find that the problem can be addressed by falling back on these timeless lessons.

Slow Down and Make It Great

Photography excites me. The very idea of capturing a special image, in a unique way, triggers a rush of creative adrenaline. In my excitement, I can neglect to see a great image that's right within my grasp. The result is a wasted opportunity. Taking time to assess the scene sounds easy, but it actually requires some discipline. You have to ask yourself, do you want a good image or a great image? Could your subject find better light in another area or direction? Would you get a better background in another location? Are there any distractions, that can be minimized or reduced with a different camera angle? I love to photograph pets. I always get better images when I take the time to crouch down and get on the same level as the dog or cat, as opposed to shooting at a downward angle. One particularly effective technique that I like to use is to "solar system" around my subject. Think of your subject as the Sun and you're a planet, gradually orbiting around. As you take the time to circle around your subject, you can find better angles, backdrops, lighting, etc. You may not always have complete control of the scene, so take a few extra seconds to make the most of your photo op. That extra time could pay huge dividends.

Shapes to Capture Attention

What's the difference between a photo and a snapshot? What separates a photographer from a casual picture taker? Anyone can take a snapshot. It takes a photographer to capture a photo. This is something that I've really struggled to define for myself. I want my images to fall under the category of photo, but it's hard to the define the difference. I've asked many of my peers and tried to learn from photographers I admire. But tangible answers are hard to come by, especially in a subjective field. However, I have a few theories. When I scrutinize my work, I find that my better images have a strong visual element presented to the viewer. These visual elements come in many different forms, one of which is shape.,One way to make create an interesting image is to capture shapes with your subject matter. Shapes can occur naturally, which tend to be more impressive. Clouds, trees, roadways, even buildings, can create forms that hold the viewers eye. The trick is to see the shape and properly position your camera to add emphasis. If you have more control over the scene, or you're working with a model, shapes can be manufactured. Take the time to study your subject (remember, slow down) and look for ways to mold your subject into an alternate form. The viewer may, or may not, consciously see a shape in your image. But, an underlying shape acts as a secondary subject that will hold your viewer's attention and create interest. You can take this concept a step further and use shapes to frame your subject, or find repeating shapes that form patterns.

Put It In Writing

There's a wealth of knowledge available to help improve your technique and create fabulous images. Harnessing all this knowledge, while filtering out to the noise, is the key. For me, the best teacher is experience. I can watch all the tutorials and read all the books. But unless I'm actively using a lesson in one of my photo shoots, odds are I'm not going to recall that knowledge. I'm sure there are many photographers who instantly know what image they want and exactly how to get it. However, I like to experiment. As the creativity flows and I'm capturing images, I try to journal as much information as possible. When I first started with photography, I would get really excited about my successful photos. However, my excitement would wane when I tried to remember how I got that great image. I would struggle trying to recreate those great images for future clients. Then, it occurred to me that I should be journaling my shoots. With a written journal of my shoots, I could accurately recall things like lighting, camera settings, solutions to obstacles, anything and everything that made for a great photo. I try to capture what worked, as well as what didn't work. What I've found is that journaling actually helps ingrain this information to memory. The exercise itself improves my recall ability, which leads to better shoots with future clients. If my memory is foggy, I simply crack open the journal and it's all there. The chance to learn something new is part of what motivates me to get out and take photos. One of the best things about the photo community is that there's always someone willing to share lessons learned. I invite you to research and learn from some of the greats that have helped me, including Daniel Norton, Joe McNally, Jen Rozenbaum, and David Bergman. One more small tip. Don't simply discard your bad photos. Study them and list the ways to make those photos better (don't forget to journal). Lessons learned the hard way, are not easily forgotten.