As a photographer, I have been asked a few times to teach a "crash course" in photography. I find it quite daunting because over the years I have distilled the idea of such training into 2 sections... As soon as I open my mouth on the first day of these 2 sections, I imagine that my foundational statement will be met with a groan or a sigh.
Photocred : All images by Andrew Kerr Photography (Me)
I find it daunting, not because I find teaching a chore - quite the opposite - because I know that by the time we get to the end of the course, I will have equal amounts of praise. I have had so many informal students find renewed vigor in their photography once the foundational statement hits home.
Strangely, I have even had disillusioned colleagues, with many years as professional photographers, thank me in secret for reconnecting them with their muse.
I am going to share that groan-inducing pearl here as a yard stick as to whether there is interest in futher guidance.
Here goes :
When you photograph what you see, you lose sight of the picture.
To me there is no perfect picture, looking close up one often loses sight of the full picture becoming enthralled with with beauty before the lens. Perhaps photography taken in dark resonates in not able to define all detail, finding little hidden gems later.
Lens is a friend, an extension of ones sight which takes time to learn to balance in various lighting, simple enjoyment takes me along this path.
Personally I feel the whole camera is an extension of the photographer. Once the photographer can immerse themselves in their own sense of space... magic starts to happen but for me that immersion can only truly start once one grasps the truth of my foundational statement.
Being outdoors with a camera is relaxing to enjoy nature, I never do human portraits or professional, mine is purely for pleasure.