Bob Crum

This is column number 79 and much to my delight, readership has gone from snowball size to an avalanche if you'll kindly allow me a little hyperbole.

For the past 78 weeks I've met many of you while out and about. Many continue to read the column because I don't go too deep into the technical weeds... so to speak. Many of you now understand that creating photographs is what makes photography extremely gratifying.

That's good to know because I have repeatedly tried to convey what I consider the most significant aspect of photography: Creativity. This entails much more than merely setting shutter speed or lens aperture.

Some technical details are necessary. Unless you are able to control your camera, executing your vision is hampered. But if you're the creative type it's hard to beat photography. If you're the adventurous type, simply do as I do! It's fun! Of course I know all the so-called rules pertaining to compositions: Rule of thirds, balanced elements, leading lines, symmetry and patterns, viewpoint, background, depth etc. However, in my opinion the only rule in photography is that there are no rules. Just some guidelines to improve your photos. But I've been a rogue photographer for so long I can't remember when I worried about applying 'leading lines' or patterns. When I see an interesting subject, I mentally visualize the end result, program the camera accordingly and shoot! More times than not, I win! Then again, circumstances sometimes dictate... ahem... failure. So depressing. But I digress.

Consider how many times you've been to a special place and thought: Wow, I have to photograph this. This is the time to execute your creative potential. Stop and take a minute to consider your options. Then, as you mentally visualize the photo, program the camera and shoot. Here is an abbreviated explanation of the process of creating an award-winning photo. Imagine approaching a spectacular waterfall. Move to find the best perspective, program your camera for proper exposure and the kind of image you want to create, check the focus on the mermaid sunning on the ledge and press the shutter button. Congrats! You have just created a fine-art photo!

I'm learning and realizing that many of you seem to benefit more from my explaining the various creative aspects of photography than the heavy technical details. But some tech stuff is important so you'll still get some. While you may think it's like bad-tasting medicine, you know it's good for you.

Now... what if? Because I'm considering shifting the column emphasis to my experiences and the creative nature of photography, maybe it's time to change the column name from Photography Know-How to Focus on Photography. What do you think? Any other ideas? Please take a moment and tell me your thoughts about the proposed name change. Thank you.

I was in Ashland Oregon recently for my granddaughter's graduation from Southern Oregon University. GO KATIE! While up in that neck of the woods, I checked out some wineries and the surrounding countryside. Photo of the week is a photo I made while taking a walk along the north shore of Lake Emigrant. Notice the play of late afternoon sunlight in the serene Oak grove. You know I can't resist a sunstar photo op. BTW, the star effect is done in camera, not added during post processing. The importance of knowing some... ahem... tech stuff. Just sayin'.

Note that because of some email issues, I have to temporarily change the email address. Send your comments, suggestion and/or questions to: photography@earthlink.net

Happy photoing.