The Beginning

Well, here it is...the beginning. Not the beginning of blogging (for me anyways) since I have a number of running blogs on different subjects, but the beginning of a photography blog. There are many out there, and a lot of them are geared to microstockers - a great help to those thinking about a foray into that adventure. I probably won't get too far into the microstock issues, but I will touch on them as I go along. A lot of them are known as PADs (photo-a-day blogs) - this won't be one of those, either.

This blog will, hopefully, help and inspire beginning photographers - not with a lot of technical jargon (but maybe some), but with a photojourney - both good and bad photos, and why they are good or bad. Photos that call your attention, and some that just don't.

In trying to decide where to start I thought of many things - warnings on applying to microstock sites (not to stop you, but to stop you before you know what you are doing), or helpful tips on using your camera, simple explanations of technical "stuff" about photography...oh, maybe a little something about some of the greats of photography. But this first time, I decided to start with a photojourney.

Partly because it encompasses many of the problems encountered in digital photography with a point and shoot camera - something a lot of beginners start with. But partly because it shows, even though these photos are fraught with problems, you can still create images that appeal to the eye; memories of that special vacation, that once in a lifetime moment that may never happen again, that "oh so cute" look on baby's face.

This first journey was shot a couple of years ago with a 3.2 mp point and shoot camera - a little Nikon Coolpix. Small sensor, not a lot of zoom, and when I look back at them and compare them to the images I produce today, not a lot of sharpness either. Some are full of "noise" or what film photographer's know as grain, but for all that, these images still hold a visual appeal (some of them anyway) that can't be denied. Generally unsellable in the world of microstock photography, and too small for large print, they are yet my memories of that time and place, and I love them.

Technically good, these are not - but they do encompass some of the most basic rules of photography.

A Photojourney to Georgia (<-- This link opens in a new window)

The point for beginner's in this post - just because you don't have professional equipment at the moment doesn't mean you can't make some great shots for yourself and your family.

Learning how to use your camera, no matter what that camera is, will make a lot of difference in how your photos look. Start by reading the manual - yes, reading the manual. Honestly, I don't know how many people I've said that to, and many don't even know where the manual is.

Sit down with your camera in one hand and the manual in the other. You might not understand all the technical details, but the manual will show you what the buttons do and where the different settings are - and what they are for. Try everything as you run across it's description in the manual. Change the settings, turn the button - whatever you see, and take a picture each time - it doesn't matter what you take a picture of, it's just for reference.

When you've gone through the manual, do it again...and again, until you can make the most common adjustments without looking at the manual. For those less used settings you can transfer the information from your manual to a 'cheat sheet' - use an index or recipe card that you can carry in your camera bag.

Familiarity with your camera's settings will help you learn just what your camera can do, and what it can't - because every camera will have some limitations. And your camera in your hands isn't like anyone else's camera - no matter what they say. So take the time to learn it for yourself.

Any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section.