I love being a photographer. And one of the things I love about being a photographer, is the fact that I currently do it because I love it. I’ve never been paid.
You may argue that being ‘amateur’ makes me not a photographer at all, but I disagree. It’s the same way that one would call themselves a ‘writer’. Just because you don’t get paid for it, doesn’t mean that you’re not.
Mirror, mirror on the wall...
My best friend, Lis was kind enough to loan me her Canon DSLR for a little while (I currently own a Canon EOS 500, but it’s not a digital) so that I could have some fun and be able to play around a bit. I have been saving up for my own digital version of my Canon, but it’s hard-going, what with having 2 part-time jobs and trying to pay bills and other boring things.
But I am absolutely having a blast, and I can’t thank Lis enough for being kind enough to loan me something that means so much to her. Thank you, Lis.
I went to my friend’s in Strathaven for the weekend; just a chill-out and relaxing weekend, and ended up snapping up almost 300 pictures. I’d never be able to do that with a film camera, mainly because it’d be too expensive to develop the film only to find out that, oops, I set the f-stop wrong on a couple of them. So, I am definitely having fun but also reaping the benefits of digital and ‘instant gratification’ (or ‘mortification’ as the case may be).
I showed some of my photos to a friend one night, who then confessed that she’d didn’t know anything about cameras or photography, but would quite like to learn, and was thinking about getting a camera of her own (of a similar quality as Lis’s beloved Canon).
I love simplicity
Immediately, a debate ensued over the best camera in which she should invest. Of course, there are always opinions, and I’m always going to love Canon no matter what, but I always try to keep an open mind.
So naturally, we then suggested that she research her options as best she could before she found the one that best suited her. The best way is to compare product reviews online, especially those done by real consumers and experts before making a decision.
I told her, that with my limited knowledge, I could show her the few tips that I know so that she could make the most of it. She seemed grateful, but I’m sure she’ll meet someone who has far better expertise who could give her much better advice.
Of course, this brought up the very tender subject of the Guardian’s masterclass on The Art of Street Photography that I am currently lusting over, but probably can’t ever take as a) it’s in London and b) it’s wayyyyy too expensive. (But a girl can dream.) However, it must be somehow justifiable that one doesn’t learn these things from a class, but more from intuition, which, let’s be honest, has been my divining rod since I ever took up photography in the first place. Yes, I do think I’d learn new things, but is it necessary? I dunno.
However, with all of this discussion of cameras and talent and then the debate of ‘What is Art?’, I came away having no answers at all, but simply the overwhelming desire to create the definitions myself.
Surely, that is art, if nothing else.
I love that you’re getting so much use out of it
I am loving it ♥
You can learn much more technical knowledge, and in a given timescale (say a year) learn MUCH more by studying it in a class yes, but everyone I’ve ever met has told me there is nothing a class wont be able to teach you that you wouldnt be able to find out yourself if you put your own time and effort into it, which should come naturally and enjoyably to you if you really truely love the subject. Obviously class cuts out the whole trial-and-error part of it, but for me thats part of the fun. Enjoy what you’re doing now, what you have is a passion, which is something that can’t be taught.
That’s a very nice note! Thanks! And you pretty much summed up my feelings about classroom vs real experience. Thanks for the encouragement.