Open to Questions

My partnership with photography has been a come as you are and ask as you go sort of thing. Ever since I got my first SLR handed down to me from my step-father to use for my very first (and pretty much only) photo class, I have had the pleasure of magically and mystically finding my way around the medium with minimal prodding or probing.

It wasn’t until I got a job with a photographer that I began to ask questions. But I only asked what I needed to know; small, easy to digest bits of information to get me by as I felt more comfortable using an intuitive, experimental approach to learning. Of course, it took me a while to be able to count on any consistency in what I was doing (because I really didn’t know what I was doing) but that didn’t stop me. That is, until I began to realize my limitations. My inability to recreate what I had created began to frustrate me. And only then did I begin to dig deep.

Not a lot has changed today. There are days, I feel like I’ve got enough dialed in to keep me satiated. Yet there are times when I see something in someone else’s images that I covet…a simple clipping of the corners, a rich border in a texture, a tint or hue that stirs something within me…and I find myself thinking, how do you do that? When I feel limited, I know it’s time to start asking the questions to get me past the hurdles I’m up against.

What about you? Are there ways you feel limited in your photographic work? Do you have any burning questions that you feel might help you crack some kind of code to help you push through some barrier that stands before you? Let’s make a pact and ask those questions, shall we? The Flickr Pool Discussion thread has been a great source for asking and answering. I am so impressed with your willingness to ask and answer. Let’s keep that chatter going. Maybe we can even bring some of those conversations over here. What do you think?

There’s an Omaha Proverb that says, ask questions from the heart and you will be answered from the heart. I think that has a nice ring to it .

Comments

[Marcie]

My quetions - of late - are more about post-processsing technique
How do you best use textures..without losing the image?
How to create funky borders?
And how to use both of the above and print at a large 300 dpi scale?

http://www.marciescudderphotography.com

[Shelli]

I have so many questions that I'm not sure what to ask first. I'm still trying to learn the basics. And right now my husband and I are wondering whether or not we have the money to plunk down on an SLR.

[brandi]

thank god someone other than me learns this way!!! My photo journey is very similar in that I sort of learn as I go, as I need and take info in bite sized chunks. My journey keeps going...

[renee]

Shelli, I feel there is a lot you can do with a decent digital point and shoot, until you can afford an SLR. I've been using a CANON Powershot S60 for a few years, we bought it before I developed my interest in photography. I'm intent on maxing out the features and using it every which way I can while we save for a DSLR. All of the photos posted on my blog are taken with that camera and some have been GIMPed with to achieve the effect I wanted.

http://fimby.tougas.net/

GIMP is free image editing software. So be encouraged, you CAN take good photos with a basic camera if you learn a few techniques.

[maya]

i'm also learning that way - a little here, a little there. i'd love to take a class, but am finding it hard to find the time. i have a million questions, but then when i go to ask one, i can't find the words to type. my mind goes blank. i should start keeping a list (of course i should do a lot of things that i'm not doing - i'm a bit frazzled these days).

i think the subject i'd like to know the most about is how to cope with changing light situations while shooting in manual mode. i guess maybe it's just to keep practicing. it's one thing to take a picture of a landscape, where you have time to compose your shot and you're using a tripod, etc. but then it's totally different to chase around a 2-year-old with your camera with the light changing at every step.

[maya]

also i would love to be able to find a mentor to actually talk to, not just type it on the internet. if not a mentor, at least a friend who is as into photography as i am.

[Ashley]

since i started shooting, i have become sort of obsessed with online blogs and resources that give little hints and tips on how to get the most from an image, whether pre or post processing. this is definitely one of those sights :) i feel like it's a never ending learning experience - and even looking back and photos i've taken last year or the year before, i feel i've grown. it's a good feeling.

happy friday!

[Leslie]

I also have a point and shoot camera that's been great for learning, but now I'm dying to try the DSLR. I've been reading more and more photo blogs and spending tons of time on flickr to just see what's possible. The options for creativity truly seem endless.

[melody]

Oh boy!
1. What lens do you love-use-can't-live-without-keep-it-on-most-of-the-time?

2. What is the best way to learn color management (camera to monitor to printer) in order to be sure that what you see is what you get in the printed photo?

I have more, but like someone said above I need to remember to write the questions down daily as I think of them.

Thanks, Tracey.

[Stacy]

That is how I learned as well. I have never taken a photo class, but I learn mostly from doing anyways. Whenever I had a question, I have read and researched to find the answer. Sometimes it is just trial and error.

The newest thing I want to try is shooting in RAW. My laptop is already a bit taxed, so I'm not sure how much it's going to love me with that additional processing and file size.

[laura]

I'm always learning more and more... and usually, the more I learn, the more I realize I have so much MORE to learn!

As a teacher, I always felt the best way to reinforce your learning is by teaching. So, that's another reason why I started Dolce Pics - http://www.dolcepics.com/ . Writing articles about photography forces me to learn more. I also love to share the knowledge I acquired to others.

Currently, my challenges have to deal with the creative and always the technical. That's why I'm here so often. I'm totally inspired by everyone's wonderful work!

[JoEllyn Steele]

I'm taking a class this summer that I'm very excited for--I usually struggle most with figuring out WHAT and WHERE to take pictures as well as the post processing arena--I don't know anything really about photoshop and there's so much I need to learn...

[Cindi]

I want to learn how to use off camera flash, to add drama to an image and to be able to take shots in situations where the ambient light is not enough. I am struggling with trying to learn it on my own or through friends in my photo club, but I probably should take a studio lighting class...only there are no local ones offered. There are some great websites that cover strobes but I think you need to know the basics of studio lighting first. I have been learning photography for about 4 years now and am ready to add flash to my knowledge. Maybe it would also help my people images as I struggle with that also. And there is the never-ending quest to learn more Photoshop! I cannot imagine being bored ever again!