Learning and improving: photographic skills - Brief Article

Photography is a mixture of art (seeing) and science (photographic techniques). The "secrets" of being a better photographer are "enthusiasm" and "hard work." It is believed that "learning by doing" (or "practice makes perfect") is the best way to become proficient at any professional skill. Photography is no exception. Furthermore, "Inheriting the past" guides us in the right direction - blind practice will increase the learning time with many discouraging failures. Joining a camera club, joining PSA and/or participating in a workshop presented by an experienced photographer are ways to find out about successful experiences and shorten your learning curve.

I started my serious photographic learning (mainly black & white) after joining a local camera club and PSA. The Ansel Adams books (The Camera, The Negative, and The Print) are excellent guides for any beginner, including myself. However, integrating theory with practice, such as in the "zone system," is the key in gaining solid photographic knowledge and technique.

One day, after leaving a camera club meeting in a nature center, I discovered a small waterfall and gave myself an assignment -- to practice my basic photographic seeing and techniques only at this very small waterfall. I spent most weekends of my "internship" of about two years at this site to see the light at different times of day throughout the seasons, and to practice the zone system in both negatives and prints. I also brought my negatives and prints to camera club meetings and workshops for comments and critiques. Then I'd re-photograph the same scene again or reprint the same picture based on the advice. I started to I feel more confident while using a light meter and determining the placeholder of the zone in the scene and to make decisions for developing films and printing the images. Films, papers, and chemicals were chosen and the speed of my favorite films has been established. Basic printing skills improved as time passed. I have learned that a plain looking waterfall hides treasures of the beauty of nature.

Practicing the art of seeing or previsualization is a tough job. Reading art journals and books in addition to the photographic books and participating in camera club activities and competitions are helpful. However, slowing down the speed of picture taking while trying to analyze potential problems regarding both photographic and darkroom skills will improve image making.

It is my belief that learning photography does not depend on how many good scenic places have been visited. Usually, it is better to photograph in familiar, and accessible places rather than in very scenic places while hurried. You will be surprised at how much you can learn, and how many very. different and interesting images you can make, while in just one well-known place where you and your photographic feelings and moods are involved.

The more self-assignments you accomplish, the more skills and joy you will receive. Gradually, the photographic process will become intuitive and the images made will be close to your perception and pre-visualization. Experience improves the performance.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Photographic Society of America, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group