Bob Crum

There is no better time for all phonetographers – you know who you are – to park your cell phone in your pocket and get serious about 'real' photography. The technology of present-day cameras is so good that they are capable of producing amazingly good photos. Dare I say better than cell phone photos?

Briefly, price mainly reflects features. More expensive cameras feature faster processors, more focus points, auto bracketing, etc. Obviously the more expensive equipment, the higher the resolution and better overall quality. But not necessarily a better photograph! So, if you don't intend to shoot HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography or need high speed burst mode no need to waste money on a camera with features you won't use.

But instead of discussing cameras specifically, the following is intended to provide justification for buying any camera if you don't own one. Or about becoming a 'photographer' sans snapshots if you own a camera.

Creativity is the magic ingredient of 'wow' photos. It's the essential element for taking a simple superficial cell phone 'snapshot' to an artistically-rendered photograph. That is not hyperbole!

As previously said, technical know-how is not complicated. Just make 50,000 photos and you will have mastered the technical aspects of photography. Take heart. Simply shoot consistently for only a few months and you will understand the holy trinity of exposure: Shutter speed, aperture and ISO. But technical proficiency alone does not make a ‘wow’ photo. Creativity is paramount regardless of the camera!

The good news is everybody has the potential to be creative but too many fear disapproval or failure. To paraphrase photographer Barbara Bender: “Creativity can only flourish in an atmosphere of experimentation, risk taking, playfulness, curiosity and a sense of adventure. It is only possible when the excellence of the final product is irrelevant.”

The notion that 'technical' excellence of the photo being irrelevant is important because it frees you to photograph whatever inspires you without regard to any judgment afterward by others. Inhibition, more than lacking technical skills,thwarts creativity. Remember, art is subjective so put aside all fears of feeling foolish, grab your camera and just photograph what you want and how you want. That's what I do with wild abandon and love it!

Photographer Ming Thein describes creating compositions “as the practice of arranging elements in your frame into an aesthetically pleasing way, and a way that draws attention to your primary subject. It's moving away from the technical into the artistic. There is a “right” exposure and point of focus, but there’s no “right” composition — only compositions that looks right, and those that don’t.”

Obviously photography is an artistic endeavor not merely a mechanical process. As such, there is no right or wrong way to produce noteworthy photos. It's about expressing oneself, without judgment. More importantly, isn't doing something creative the spice of life? Furthermore, photography is fun and it's true that doing anything that brings joy reduces stress which therefore improves our quality of life. What more motivation do you need to engage with the world through photography?

The photo of the week, a joyful girl and her proud father, is an example of patience... and timing. With the camera to my eye, I patiently waited for a magic moment. Timing is about being ready to instantly capture the unexpected. At the exact moment I saw the girl reach out to touch her father's hand I pressed the shutter release button and wrote the touching story using a visual language: Photography. Justification indeed!

Happy photoing.

Send comments, suggestions and/or questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com