Confessions

Stephanie and friends, San Francisco

Sarah-Ji’s ‘break the rules’ post last Sunday was a stroke of serious serendipity and what she encouraged was exactly what I did at the Shutter Sisters / BlogHer PhotoWalk and it’s been on my mind ever since.

Many of us had the privilege of spending a little time with Me Ra Koh during her photography session at the conference. I think I speak for everyone in attendance when I say WOW! She was authentic, adorable, sincere and so photo-articulate (in the most relaxed and approachable way). Her willingness to share her knowledge was inspiring and what’s more, what she shared was so refreshing and enlightening. She is a true Shutter Sister through and through.

As she spoke I got a lot of looks and whispers from Karen and Stephanie, pssst, did you know that? I nodded yes on a number of points but I most certainly did learn a thing or two. One point that shed some light (pun intended) was the way she explained ISO. I know that ISO is virtually your film speed (without the film part) and that by shooting with a high ISO your images will have MORE grain or noise. What I failed to truly understand is that there’s more to it than that.

I confess proudly that I’m a 400-800 ISO girl just as I was a 400-1600 film girl. It makes it so much easier and fun shooting in low light with a higher ISO and so, I do it. Because I like easy and fun. Well, come to find out, you actually get the optimum color saturation when you shoot a Canon or Sony at 100 ISO or a Nikon at 200 ISO. WHO KNEW? Me Ra did. And now I do too. And so do you, if you didn’t already. To put it to the test and I decided to try it out on the PhotoWalk. I won’t lie, it’s not going to be easy getting used to not having the ability to shoot in super-low light while hand-holding my camera but since we were outside, it was a perfect place to break my own ISO rule and give it a go.

Jury is still out on whether or not I see a difference in my images…I need a little more experimentation time to figure it out. None the less, trying something new, breaking my own rules while shooting was as exhilarating as the cool, crisp air of San Francisco.

If you are so inclined, share your own photo confessions with us in the comments and if there’s a photo that goes along with it, we’d love to see it. And by all means if you are breaking some rules, do share! The fun part is along with your comment you will be entered to win today’s random drawing for one of Me Ra’s awesome educational DVD’s. One lucky winner will win Refuse to Say Cheese and another will win Beyond the Green Box. You have until Monday at midnight EST to leave your comment.

A special thanks to Me Ra for sharing her DVDs with us! You’re going to love them!  And if you haven't already, pop over and visit her blog at www.merakohblog.com.

Comments

[Rhonda]

I am too new to photography to have "rules" to break. I am trying very hard to try everything before I let myself get stuck on something I love. Honestly, I hope I never get "stuck". I have to admit though that I am a bit scared of higher ISOs because of the noise produced. I don't mind it if I am trying to be creative, but I don't like it at all when I am purely trying to capture a moment. I am learning to make the best of those images though. They usually become b&w or treated with the intentional "old" look. Thank God for Photoshop.

[Erin]

I love shooting into the sun! I know it is a big no-no, but I love the sunflare.
Here is my latest:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/erinfayephotography/2696409930/

[Darla]

I had a hard time keeping the lens from fogging up when going from AC to 100 plus heat. Look what came of it! http://www.flickr.com/photos/23402456@N08/2711144844/

[Christina]

Honestly...rather than risk screwing up an entire session shooting in manual mode, I shoot them in auto. Its been years since I've shot in manual on a regular basis, so I only take chances when I know I can re-shoot the images!