XtremeCamera

Creating photographs, like any art, can be an act of self involvement, especially in the early days of a photographer’s creative life. As a new shooter, I spend a lot of time in my head, considering the right settings, looking at the light and figuring out what needs to be different, examining my subject and muttering to myself and often times, being very frustrated. Anyone that comes across me when I’m setting up a shot, very likely, thinks I’m insane. Because my technical knowledge is so limited, this seems necessary to me. I came to realize last night however, that spending too much time alone with your thoughts in regards to photography may not do you any favors.

I, along with several members, have recently begun the Photography 101 class here at XC. Last night’s topic was Exposure. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen events, the class had to be postponed – bummer. After the class was dismissed, I didn’t have anything special to do so I picked up a stack of photography magazines that my boss had given me. These inherited magazines aren’t techie magazines, although they naturally spotlight products, techniques and such – I’d say they are more about the art of photography. As I was looking through the magazines, I suddenly had a weird thought; a thought that I’m surprised never occurred to me before. Someone, most likely a working photographer, took every single photograph in these magazines – including the photographs of the equipment for review and the slick looking ads. An actual person took those photographs. It was a sort of duh moment gone epiphany, if you get what I mean. It’s a bit like how I felt after our first photography class here at XC. It was a clicking in my head – I was getting it.

So what does exposure have to do with all this? Simply put, every single day we are inundated with photography. We see it on billboards on the highway and in the checkout aisles of the grocery store. We are constantly exposed to photography and guess what? We take it completely for granted and have become so desensitized to the imagery that we are bombarded with daily, that we don’t even see it anymore. Perhaps we should. If we have aspirations of being more than that chick/dude with the camera, we really should be looking at what is around us very closely. As a photographer, I’m constantly on the look out for my next photograph. That is all well and good but I think maybe I need to take it a step further. I think I need to be using what I’ve been learning here at XC – my critical eye. I need to examine the photographs that I take for granted everyday and think about if they work and why they work. I need to look at them and ask myself, “what kind of lighting did they use, what is it about the style that caught my eye, how did they set up the shot, how did they get that expression from their model, etc.”.

The magazines accompanied me when I went to soak in the bath for awhile. I continued to use my new critical eye as I flipped through the pages (don’t you wish there was a way to not get the pages of a magazine wet while in a bubble bath?). I began reading an article about a fairly famous fashion photographer and became entirely engrossed in what he had to say about his approach to this craft. He said something really interesting. He claimed that he was an avid collector of photography and that for him, being exposed to it had led him to pursue it as a career. This guy firmly believes that if you collect, you can eventually get an eye for it. So exposure, in the manner that I’m using it, means something more than just opening your eyes to what is around you- it means immersion, as well. You need to immerse yourself in photography in order to cultivate your eye and talent. Holy Lenses! Now I have justification to spend money on a bunch of magazines and books! I need immersion!! Only kidding, of course, but it is a nice argument to pose to my husband when he asks if I really that magazine. Seriously speaking, I do see value in exposing myself to professional photographers’ bodies of work. By looking at those that are making it in the business of photography on a grand scale, I have a chance to figure out a lot of useful things.

It seems vital to me that one must look outside one’s own vision and learn to balance the creative process and the scientific process. If we spend too much time hyper analyzing every move we make with our camera, we fall into the trap of missing an opportunity to honor a moment. I feel sure that the pros out there spend a great deal of time setting up glamorous shots, but I also think that they know enough technically that they don’t constantly second guess themselves. That isn’t to say that I don’t need to continue figuring out my camera, because I definitely do need to do that. My point is only that while I’m in the process of learning the science of photography, it would behoove me to also expose myself to the creativity of others that are more versed than I. I have seen images from pros that were just not technically perfect, but rather full of gorgeous flaws. Certainly I am not suggesting that we should stop learning. Instead I am suggesting that we strive for balance. I can’t afford to get so wrapped in the technicalities that I forget to shoot. Imperfections in art are often the very thing that makes a piece something to talk about.

For me personally, it seems worthwhile to spend time immersing myself with images that are well done and evocative, in order to develop my critical eye further and find inspiration from what others are doing. Exposing myself to the work of great photographers has, at times, stopped me in my tracks. I’d suggest to each novice photographer that it is worthwhile to investigate the work of professional photographers and immerse yourself in their work. Maybe you will find something that is yours along the way and get an idea of what it takes to succeed in this business. And on that note, I’m off to the book store in a bit. I have a couple of magazines to pick up. If anyone wants to meet me in the magazine aisle, I’ll be there, waiting for you.

Sarah
xc:Staff
Editor: xc:Newsletter