How I've Learned About Photography During 365 Project

When I started my 365 project I didn’t know very much about photography. I knew to make the picture in focus, that there was enough light to see what’s in the picture, and not to cut off anyone’s head. But, I had no idea what made a good picture. My initial advice came from a friend who said to take pictures of usual things from unusual angles. That’s a good starting point, but there’s more to it than that. So, I searched for some books on the basics of photography. 

The first book I recommend is the instruction manual that came with your camera. I’ll bet most people never read the manual. Cameras today are easy to use; pull it out of the box, put it in auto mode, and take pictures. One of the most important things to know about photography is how to use your equipment. Even the least expensive cameras have a lot of features these days. The first step to taking better pictures is to learn how to use the camera you have. You can't use other modes if you don’t know what the other features of the camera do. 

I next searched the Gwinnett library for books on photography. I also read reviews on Amazon to find the highest rated books on the subject. I ended up checking out Scott Kelby’s “Digital Photography” and Joe McNally’s “The Life Guide to Digital Photography” from the library. These books cover the basics well in the modern world of digital photography no matter what camera you have. I also purchased “Understanding Exposure” by Bryan Peterson. This book first came out before digital cameras, but it was updated recently to cover digital cameras. These three books will help you get out of auto mode. 

The final piece of advice I have is to find some photographers online (besides me) and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, their blog, or whatever they use to share their pictures and advice.  Looking at other people’s work is a great way to get inspiration for your own pictures. One photographer I follow is Trey Ratcliff. Like me, he hasn’t taken a class in photography or had any other formal training, but he became a well known and respected photographer in a fairly short time. He has a blog where he shares a picture every day, though not like my 365 project. He also has tutorials and advice on how he takes his pictures.  You can see his blog and pictures at http://www.stuckincustoms.com. 

The picture I’m sharing this time I followed the first piece of advice - the usual from an unusual angle.  We were on vacation in Destin, FL, and walking along the beach. Most beach photos are of people walking, lying in the sand, or playing in the surf.  I decided to focus on our bare feet when a wave splashed over them.