I first started dabbling in photography about two years ago. I told no one, published not a single photo and continued to use other people’s credited images on my blog. I was curating rather than creating and hugely frustrated by my lack of ability to create the same amazing images that I took such pleasure in finding and using (with permission). So I got the camera out from time to time, shot off a few images, viewed them on the computer, blew a huge raspberry and trashed them. This went on for quite some time.
Then I did an online digital photography course and as part of that course I naturally had to pick up my camera more regularly. Instead of shooting 20 or 30 photos, I was encouraged to shoot 50 or 60. Instead of trashing my work, I was encouraged to look carefully and analyse what I would have done differently – what works? What doesn’t? What is letting the photo down? Why doesn’t it look the way I thought it would look when I shot it? Is it interesting enough? Is it meaningful? Is it touching?
Over time, I started to enjoy this process immensely and then one day I decided that I would pick up my camera and shoot at least 20 photos every single day for a month. And that’s the secret, you know:
Take photos every single day without fail for as long as it takes for you to feel comfortable.
At first I found this rather boring because I work from home and don’t get out much (I’m okay, it’s okay). I found that I was shooting the same old thing most days and all it was doing was making me hyper-aware of all the things I hated about my house.
Then I found Jodi’s 52 week project and so for the rest of that month I took 20 photos of my children every day. I didn’t publish these shots (it was a few months later that my blog joined in on the weekly project), but I religiously shot them, analysed them and adored them. Taking photos of my children didn’t bore me at all.
Surround yourself with the work of professionals
During this time I also started to really notice the work of the experts. I’ve always loved photography, especially travel, street and wildlife photography, but now I started to analyse what it was that lifted some photos and photographers above others. What made them stand out from other professionals? What made their stuff better than my stuff? What was their style? How did they work? What made their composition so good? What did I particularly like about their work? What could I imitate and even, one day, maybe, possibly, dream on, emulate?
This exercise taught me that I tend to love photographic ‘storytellers’ the most. I’m not into posey shots at all, no matter how splendid the technique. I like rawness, natural light, an image unfolding as I watch. Some of the photographers I absolutely love are:
Eric Kim – gun street photographer (and check out his list of street photography masters)
Eugene Smith – genuis
Rene Buri – portraiture
Lyndon Wade – art direction
Kalle Gustafsson – general awesomeness
Florian Ritter – manipulating life
Closer to home:
Claire Connell – natural light
Luisa Brimble – creative styling
Kate Berry – storyteller
Tahnee Parkinson – capturing joy
Tim Coulson – capturing life
There are so many more too, just too many to list. Start with these guys and also check out Magnum and even Flickr.
“Nobody will ever know if a great photo was taken on automatic.”
During this whole time, I was still mostly using the automatic function on my camera, still scared to take the leap and ‘miss’ photos by swapping to manual. I was lucky to be invited along by Ness at One Perfect Day to a morning workshop run by Robyn from Please Don’t Say Cheese and that made a huge difference for me. There were two things Robyn said that really resonated with me:
1. Use the TV or AV settings so you can go ‘half’ manual, adjusting only your aperture or shutter speed accordingly – I call it ‘auto-manual’.
2. Nobody will ever know if a great photo was taken on automatic (or even a point + shoot) – be comfortable first and foremost.
Nothing feeds curiosity like time to observe
Inspired by Robyn’s workshop and the photos we took at Balmoral that day, I started my A morning in the life blog series. Again, this was a revelation as it gave me permission to take a morning off here and there with the sole purpose of exploring, observing and snapping away delightedly. Setting aside some uninterrupted time where you get to focus solely on your camera and your observations is a pure indulgence, but a very helpful one. Nothing feeds curiosity like time to observe.
Automatic to manual
One of the exercises I use to help me improve my photography is taking a photo on the automatic setting, noting the camera settings, switching to manual and replicating the settings. I then take the shot again and from there I play with the aperture and shutter speed to note the effect and tweak the image to try to capture exactly what I’m seeing. This is a great one to try if you are hesistant about using manual because you worry you will “miss the shot” – you get the shot and then you get to make it even better.
Finding something to shoot
Before long I realised I wasn’t doing as many ‘mornings‘ as I’d hoped and as I’d decided to finish up with the 52 week project on my blog mid-way through this year, I found I was getting pretty slack about picking up my camera regularly. I needed a project that would stimulate me to get snapping away and, of course, it was right in front of my nose all along.
For the past few months, I’ve quietly been doing Fat Mum Slim’s Photo a Day challenge using my DSLR in auto-manual mode and the daily prompts. Each day I challenge myself to take at least five different interpretations of Chantelle’s daily prompt and it’s been an exercise in creativity as well as camera work. Chantelle’s monthly lists provide me with a daily photography assignment – and if I miss a day, I have to catch up the next.
December’s list is up and I urge you to take part – ditch that sneaky iPhone for your DSLR and try to shoot in manual or auto-manual mode. Take a few interpretations of the prompt each day and use the tips above to analyse your favourites and work towards developing a photographic style that you love (I’ll post more about style in my next installment of this series…)
Will you join me?
Clare says
Some great tips and inspiration here! Wow, I am in awe that you take so many photos each day. Some days I seem to take loads and some days I struggle to get my daily (I have been doing the FMS challenge for a couple of years now and I am very strict that the photo has to be taken on the day!) photo taken.
I have been using manual only on my DSLR (or my ‘big girl’ camera as I like to call it) for almost a year and I have got much better photos, I do have to think about it more and I still get confused with all the numbers!
For the daily photos, I almost always use my phone as I have it with me and I don’t always carry my other camera with me.
Thanks for the inspiration to take more with my big girl camera!
Maxabella says
You’re doing much better than I, Clare! I’m hopeless at remembering the daily prompt (even with the app!) so I frequently take three in one go, etc.
x
Mardi from Party Ideas in a Box says
I love taking photos, to the point that I forget to video anything.! I now hate using the auto function, unless it is night or very low lighting to give that urgh flash look. I would love to practice this aspect more. I have moved to the “p” function, which may be a semi auto type function? It gives the natural lighting look, which I love. I too have also joined FMS photo a day as I love the prompts- fabulous opportunity to think differently about photos I wouldn’t normally take, but also to see how others interpret the prompt. I still have a long way to go with my photo taking but I also get great pleasure seeing others photos. To find a good printer…!
Maxabella says
I so rarely print a photo these days, which is such a shame. I also love natural lighting, rather than forced. I’m about 60/40 with manual/auto these days and working my way up! x
Lila says
I’ve been saying how sad I’ve been feeling because I haven’t been picking up my camera regularly, thanks for the inspiration to actually do something about that.
Maxabella says
Let’s do FMS December DSLR-style together, Lila! x
Helen K says
Bron – I’m still very much a point and shoot automatic – and luck it sometimes with an ok photo (but often not). Where would you suggest starting if you wanted to develop more skills (other than practice, practice – I feel I need some parameters re. what camera to get or use). Maybe a class?
Maxabella says
You could start with a morning workshop, similar to what I did with Robyn at Please Don’t Say Cheese. It was a really good thing to do.
I’ve done lots more posts just like this one and I think starting at the beginning would help a lot, Helen. Check out the “Photography / Photography for Beginners” categories at the top of my header…
x
Helen K says
Great – thanks Bron x
Raychael aka Mystery Case says
Love this post and I really do need to just get out more and take photos. I did my courses many years ago back in the dark room ages with a manual but I seem to be stuck in auto mode with my DSLR. I might need to set myself a daily challenge.
Maxabella says
Or you could try the ‘blocks of time’ challenge like A Morning in the Life… think of something that would work for you, Raych. And join us in the December FMS challenge as that will be fun. x
Toni says
You have SUCH an amazing eye, I have no doubt you could go pro if you wanted.
Not blowing smoke up your ass, either — you’re a highly creative, artistic woman, with a strong work ethic.
Maxabella says
Woman, you sure know how to make a person’s day! I’m just stoked that you think that. x
KezUnprepared says
Wow, you’re so dedicated! Good on you! 🙂
I get a bit impatient with learning techniques. I could if I wanted (my hubby has a pretty nice camera), but I am a bit lazy. I just rely on my ‘eye’ for a good photo and it can be hit or miss but I like finding my own interpretation of a scene in front of me – a moment in time.
I am slowly integrating more of my own shots into my blogging and I’m enjoying how it gives a more personal feel.
Great tips x
Maxabella says
I think it was one of the bigger ‘blog steps’, Kez, but so worth it. And yes, if I love something, I do tend to give it my all!!! x
Sarah @ Lady Sadie's Emporium says
These are some really great tips. I know my photos need to improve to grow my blog. What has resonated with me most is take 50-60 photos. When I’m doing an outfit post or a recipe post I probably only take 5-10. I now know I need to take a lot more! Thank you x
Nicole says
I love these posts. Such good tips about recreating the photo with manual settings. I got my much lusted after camera a few months ago and after a month on auto just took it directly off and have been faffing about with auto-manual. I take a lot of bad photos but get an extra buzz of achievement with the good ones.
At the art gallery of NSW right now there is a small photography exhibition called My Trip- you will love it. Free entry. One of the photographers mentions his camera settings as a bit of background to a few of his pics too. It is amazing.
Nicole says
Any chance you might post your daily pic somewhere too?
Mother Down Under says
I have been loving getting to know my camera.
I use the same trick…take a photo on auto and then swap to manual and try to make it better.
I haven’t been very motivated lately though…I guess because I have been sticking close to home and not doing anything “exciting”
So thank you for the reminder that I don’t need to be photographing “exciting” moments at all!
And I would love to do a workshop in 2015…there are a few in Brisbane that sound excellent.
Maxabella says
Soon you will have the MOST exciting subject ever, so sit tight, Caitlin! x
Valent Lau says
Nothing wrong with using an auto mode by choice. Sometimes it is adequate, or you don’t have time to keep changing settings. An image is a lot more than just an exposure on a sensor.
Lisa says
It is mainly a confidence thing, that is why I rely on my iphone, but trusting my fancy-pants camera more and more each day with practice. I sooo want an Olympus camera (the one Chantelle-fms has given away on her blog) but I am determined to learn how to operate my Nikon first.
OK Bron I want you to head over to Carla Loves Photography (www.carlacoulson.com) An Aussie lady living in Paris/Italy. Her pictures & camera tips will blow your mind. I was lucky enough to go to one of her workshops in Sydney last year-amazing stuff. I am also participating in Louise’s Click, Love, Grow online course (again I am a little behind) but loving the course.
Thanks for the tips
Maxabella says
Thanks for the fantastic links, Lisa. I hope you win the Olympus!! x
Kylie Purtell - A Study in Contradictions says
This is a great post Bron, and touches on something I’ve been a big believer in for a long time… it doesn’t matter whether you shoot in manual or auto, you use a fancy pants dslr, a point and shoot or even a disposable film camera, a good image, first and foremost is about light, composition and perspective. One of my all-time favourite photos that I’ve taken, about 10 years ago, of Dave fishing at sunset at Oberon Dam, was shot on a disposable film camera. There was no option of changing settings, pure point & shoot in all it’s glory. What made the shot though was the stunning light, the composition, and also the personal attachment I felt to the scene.
I’ve been thinking quite seriously lately about finding myself an old-school film camera and shooting a role a month on it. I think this will force me to be even more selective and critical about my images and to really use my eye to capture the image that I have in mind. Definitely something to put on my list of things to do this year!
Maxabella says
That’s such a great (scary) idea, Kylie. Photography really opened up when it went digital. When we did our big travel adventure there was only film available and we still have undeveloped rolls. I am holding onto them for just a little bit longer, but can’t wait to see what is on there. Certainly with digital, that era of surprise and delight sort of went away. x