Fun Stuff…The Fundamentals

I have been feeling the need to do a “Fun Stuff” post for a while. Things have been incredibly busy here lately so I thought it might be time for a bit of a sidetrack. It always seems that I need something to sidetrack me to help focus. How weird is that?

As I was thinking about what to do for a Fun Stuff post I was a bit blank, nothing was really sticking out. So, I just tried to think about what has been on my mind lately about this thing called photography.

So, there are times when I get in a bit of a funk. My mind is clouded. I feel like my work could be so much better than it is (which, honestly, I think that ALL the time). I hound myself about trying “this: or doing “that” or why didn’t do “this” or why didn’t I do “that” at a shoot.  I get overwhelmed by the pressures of this business, you know, trying to stand out in market saturated with photographers, or trying desperately to get to that next level where you want to be.

What to do? I have been trying to think about what has worked in the images or photo-session that I felt good about and also what is so great about the images that see by other artists that I feel are exceptional. My thought was this: the fundamentals. Yeah, it’s not anything novel, it’s not groundbreaking, and it’s not a fancy new photography product promised to make you the best photographer ever and it is not a new camera with an Ansel Adams button on it. The fundamentals, that’s it. When I am feeling overwhelmed and bogged down by all the possibilities and pressures out there, the fundamentals of photography are where I find some peace.  What do I mean by the fundamentals? Well, it’s all those things I learned back in Photo I and am now teaching my Photo I students. Things like correct exposure, composition, communication, and clarity/focal points.  And it’s not just the photo techie stuff either. Composition and communication were in that list too. If I can start there in an image and have those things in my mind, I feel like I am off to a better start.

So, now I am thinking these “Cs”: Correct Exposure, Composition, Communication, and Clarity (Focus and Focal Points).

I find that when I have the correct exposure, my images are much better in terms of quality and I spend so much less time in Photoshop (which is great). Details in the highlights, details in the shadows, and most importantly do I have detail (image tone) where detail is needed.

Composition can obviously make an image interesting or make it completely boring. It has to do with vision. How you envision your subject in a particular place is so important. So, just a few quick questions: Is everything in the image supporting my main subject matter? Are there any distracting elements in the image? What is going on in my corners?

Communication is key.  I can’t believe I am admitting this, but I remember when I was a student and wanted just to simply take pictures. I soon learned the difference between taking pictures and making them. Thanks to Philippe Halsmann, every photography teacher in the world has used that line (including myself). It’s about making images, not taking them. Conscious thought…why am I even making this image to begin with, what is the message here, who is it for, and how will the viewer read it?

Does anyone else have a hard time with Clarity/Focus? I’m not scared to admit it. I simply ask myself what are the most important things (focal points) in this image and will they be in focus with the settings I have chosen and of course, just visually speaking, are they in focus?

So, that’s it. Obviously there are other factors out the wazoo that go into making a great image. However, to me, those are the basics, the nitty gritty. I know it would be impossible to sit and ponder about all those things for every image. But, it’s worth a shot.

I know I have a long way to go (huge emphasis on long) and I will never have everything figured out. But, if I can get the basics down, I feel like that will give me the best chance at growing and maturing to the artist that I want to be.