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Friday, February 27, 2009

Only the Serious Need Apply: Photographers Wanted

By James Gilbert Pynn

The definition of serious photography is an artistic, well-considered approach to composition, light, and subject matter. Serious photography entails a vast scope of equipment and techniques, so much so that it often renders the casual point-and-shoot enthusiast as just that: an enthusiast. Though a hobby is an admirable thing, the professional consideration of photography requires serious dedication. It seems to be the case that the majority of hobbyists never bother learning the rules of Depth of Field or which f/stop is best to use on an overcast day.

The investment of time, passion, and money required to master photography is a worthwhile one. You would never condemn the painter for mastering the basics of rendering the human body. So, too, the photographer must learn how to master a basic 35mm film camera. The average person would be stunned to account for all the elements of photography a serious degree requires of a prospective student.

The serious photographer must abide by three indispensable rules. Know your subject, tailor the camera to meet your needs, and always simplify. Composition is more than trying to recreate your favorite movie angle. Ho does the background interact with your subject? What does the angle to the emotional sense of your photograph? Your subject should never, ever be placed in the middle of the picture.

The twin brother of composition is light. Light, or the lack thereof, is the single most important factor governing the quality and appeal of a photograph. Do you have enough natural light? How will a flash affect the subject? Do you need a bounce board? Will the position of the camera affect the light? How? Which f/stop is best? The problem-solution dialectic never ends. It simply gets more and more involved especially if your stated specialty is color, digital, or black and white photography.

Often, the time and effort required to craft a stunning photograph are lost on the general public. Even with digital SLR cameras most professionals will tell you out of two or three entire memory cards they will be hard pressed to find one or two acceptable shots. Of course, it may be easier for photographers today, given the proliferation of corrective software. Regardless, manipulating a photograph that is essentially worthless is a monumental waste of time.

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