Lesson 1 – Intent
Why do you want to take pictures? You may want to share with others how you see the world around you, you may want to document your life and that of the people you love, you may have a desire to create images that blow other people away. There are so many excellent reasons to get into photography and why you do so is up to you.
I’ve put this section first because when I learned photography – it was technique first and art second. That is a time honoured way of learning photography. But now that I’ve done it for 30 years I think it was a backwards way of learning photography.
Photography is an art and you are the artist. If you’re thinking you could never be an artist I have good news for you – you already are. Even just taking the time to read this page you’ve shown you have the desire make images that give you pleasure and can affect others – that is art.
Now comes the fun part – think about why you want to take pictures. Write down a list of:
- Things you like about photography. Do you love the moment of seeing the images in prints or on your screen? Is it the challenge of making the photo? Is it the sharing the images with your friends? Is it the memories you get when you look at your photos later? Whatever it is you like about taking pictures, write it down.
- What you want to achieve with photography. Do you want to remember what your kids are like at each stage of their growing up? Do you like flowers or architecture or mountains and want to document them? Do you want to show the human condition? Do you want to pursue a career in photography? Write down what you want your photography to do.
- What subjects you want to shoot. Flowers, dogs, kids, models, food, people’s feet, whatever. Write down those things you find catch your eye or make you wish you had your camera when you see it.
- How you feel about those subjects. Do you love it, hate it, feel afraid of it, laugh at it, wish it was yours? This is actually the most important section of the lesson. When you understand what you feel towards something, you’ll find your photography of it improves automatically.
Now grab your pen and start writing. Once you’re done, put it on the wall, throw it into your camera bag or put it somewhere you can easily review it. Add or change it as you grow as a photographer. But once you have the list, you have a great tool to make your photography better.
You may have noticed the link in top right corner for the book “Drawing on the artist within” by Betty Edwards. I highly recommend this book for learning about bringing out your inner artist – it is a very, very good book which taught me a lot.
I completed Lesson 1
http://meagaingraphics.com/thejourneycontinues/archives/94
Beth, well done – and great responses to the questions.
Thank you for this great first lesson! I look forward to reading the rest of the lessons. This really has made me think about why I pick up my camera and what I want to be shooting.
I really loved the first lesson, it really makes a person think, it has taken up my whole first page in my note book. Now on to the second, and third, ect.. Im excited to see what I’ll be learning, and how much I enjoy.
Thanks
I am a 14 year old girl that wants to become a professional photographer. I have had so many comments and remarks on my photography now. I am looking to get even better, that is when I found this web site. The first lesson does make you think about why you want to take picture’s. Why you feel such a passion for photography. I think just learning all that is on this page has taken my photography skills to a new level.
Thank you so much!
Everythings sounds interesting so far…..looks like a program I been lookin for….thank you for this opportunity at no cost…..I love photography, taken pictures is my hobby.
Just updated my camera to a more professional one. I am excited to learn more, and very excited to get even more creative with your lessons. Love capturing “Emotions” & “Detailed up close” work. Thanks for opening the lens on lesson #1
I am excited to have found this site and to be able to take these lessons. This first lesson made me think about why I love photography. I am looking forward to completing all the lessons. Thank you for what you are doing.
Someone once said, and I paraphrase, “Photography teaches you to look at the world through a lens without using a camera”. As I spend more time taking photo’s (nature/birds/landscapes) it seems as though I am ALWAYS seeing things in term of composition! Nothing “looks” the same anymore and I am truly enjoying this awakening!
That’s whats happening to me. I even look at curtains blowing in the breeze and a potential photography!
I really appreciate your approach to undertaken photography. Very seldomly do I take the intiative to interact in exercises on my own time, I usually need a push, but your outlook inspired me to go ahead participate in your lessons. I will try out your lessons and post the results on my flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/49681056@N06/
lesson 1 done
BEST PHOTO LESSONS
Lesson 1
1. I like to look at photographs that are clear and sharp of almost any subject. I love nature pictures the best. I get a charge when I look through a camera lens. I can focus on the subject and ignore the world around me. I also enjoy taking photos of my family’s doings and putting together a slide show every year for Father’s Day for my husband. I do not like to scrapbook, but like looking at photo albums and books.
2. I want to take my camera off AUTO mode and start learning how to change settings for different scenes. I especially want to learn how to focus a flower while blurring the background. I also want to start taking interesting architectural pictures. Photographing nature comes naturally to me and I have access to a lot of nature, away from the city. I love black and white photos of people. I want to start taking pictures worth of filling picture frames around my house without feeling embarrassed about the quality.
3. Flowers, nature, my family, a picture a day of my every day ordinary life, architecture, black and white photos of people, hands and feet especially. I don’t like group photos much, something is usually amiss.
4. I marvel that a good picture of a flower can make me imagine the scent or the feel of its petals. It makes me remember my mother. Nature pictures make me relax and calm my soul. I need that. I want to record my ordinary life (spilled milk and all) so my grandkids will have a sense of how their parents grew up. I want to photograph the architecture in my little city so people can appreciate what we have to offer instead of always stating there is nothing to do in this town. I want to catch glimpses of people in black and white so I can remove extraneous features and focus on the person. I especially like hands and feet because I think about how we are supposed to use our hands and feet to serve God. What a variety he made. I don’t usually enjoy pictures of children unless I know them.
THANKS! THIS REALLY ALLOWED ME TO FOCUS ON WHY I ENJOY PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHAT I AM INTERESTED IN.
Thanks for the opportunity to truly reflect on why I take pictures. I want to capture the beauty all around me, freeze moments in time, catalogue events, and tell stories. I want to grow in knowledge and confidence. I want to believe in my gift, acknowledge, and embrace the artist in me. I want to share my art with others. I’m interested in photojournalism, landscape and portrait photography. I love taking pictures of children and teens. I love making collages and finding unique angles. I love taking pictures of landscapes and nature. Children make me happy. They are so eager and free of inhibitions. They are open and unpredictable. I can take pictures of them in their environment –just playing – and I try hard not to pose them. I love capturing the beauty of teenage girls. So many teens have deep insecurities and I love finding their best angles and capturing their spirit. They do frighten me a little because I feel like they’re watching me –waiting for direction -and I’m not confident with posing. They’re so critical of themselves, too. I love looking at family portraits but I am terrified of the “shoot.” Again, it’s the expectancy – needing to appear confident and strong with posing. With nature, I’m at peace because I feel like I can take all the time in the world – no worries to please anyone or “get it right.” I can play and experiment as much as I want. Things that catch my eye: laughter, love, intimacy, sunsets, flowers, a farmhouse, a field, a lake or river. Sharing this passion is risky for me because of insecurities and the need to be vulnerable. I’m excited to take this journey. I’m posting one of my favorite pictures that I took this week.
i am a 16 year old boy i want to learn photography. can any one help
Hi Ankit – best way to learn is to do; read each lesson and then do it. No one can “teach” you anything (not even your teachers at school) – it is you that learns from what is provided.
Neil
1.I like the fact that when I have a camera in my hand nothing else seems to matter, I can just focus solely on what ever it is I choose to photograph. I love being able to look back through the pictures and be prompted back to when and where a photo was taken and look at all the good things that come from the time it was taken. I love the idea of being able to just Freeze time forever.
2. I want to achieve top grade photographs that I can look back on and be proud of. That can be shown to my family and friends with a sense of pride. I would also love to become a professional photographer but would like to know more about contrast and techniques before I look at taking a paid course.
3. I love to shoot the out doors, speedway and families. They are the three subjects I have the most passion for in my life. I love to be out exploring and seeing new things. I also enjoy photographing everyday life and Love to take photos of my daughter.
4. These subjects are my passions in life and not only when it comes to photography. They are my world. These are the things I am and always will be passionate about
im done with the 1st lesson, However, any recommendations on good cameras that can be bought to train on for shooting and photographing,please
Maya – the camera you choose is really dependent on your budget, but I’d suggest a lower end dSLR that you can easily do manual exposures with rather than everything automatic.
You could try:
Nikon D3000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)
Sony Alpha A230L 10.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization and 18-55mm Lens
or
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 12.1 MP Live MOS Interchangeable Lens Camera with 3-Inch Touch Screen LCD and 14-42mm Lumix G VARIO f/3.5-5.6 MEGA OIS Lens (Black)
(See all Digital SLRs)
These are just a few suggestions – there are lots of choices. Anything from a name brand will do a great job.
Thank you SO much for creating this site. I have been told to be a photographer at many events and gatherings, but declined.I feared my natural self-taught skills would not suffice. I am looking forward to developing my skills as a photographer since it is firstly an art for me and the technical part makes me a little weary. I rather not go to a class to learn this art honestly. Thank you for making it an exciting do-it-yourself learning experience!
i just love capturing moments, nature and people’s faces. faces alone tells a lot of stories… sorrow, happiness, broken heart, blank face, etc.
i would like to learn more about photography and learn how to take pictures.
I have a fujiflim finepix jx250 camera…is it good camera for photography?????