I’m no professional photographer but I love photography because it engages the “art eye” for me. I love to paint as well. What I focus on as “beauty” in the photos I take are how I can 2 dimensionally photograph the textures, colors and shadows I am drawn to. That’s why so many photographers and painters are drawn to the southwest US: the colors, shadows, textures, even the warmth of the late sun, as it translates into a photo or a painting. Being a writer, I am certain that the same creative touch and intuition will slip you easily into enjoying your photography course - plus the “vibes”. Have fun.
Haha thanks Ki! Really appreciate you reading and leaving your thoughts :)
Very interesting point on focusing on texture, colors and shadows. Are there specific ways you try to capture these elements in your photos? As in -- specific objects you tend to shoot, times of day?
The emotional / intuitive angle also seems very interesting. Developing a taste for what you find beautiful and sticking to that.
I'd love to check out your photography if there's any way I can!
Yes, living in Southern AZ, the late afternoon sun and often early sunrise creates a “golden hour” where light is beautifully casting long shadows but also depth in photos. And of course the beautiful golden or pink tinged light vs washed out colors in mid day sun. Learning what your camera can capture and how to create photos in the essence very close to how you see it with your eyes. Our eyes often see so much more, adapt to lighting, etc that just a point and shoot won’t come close to doing. I don’t have a state of the art 4k digital camera - I use my iPhone then I may have to adjust a few options to get the visual that I thought I was taking a shot of. Like I say, no professional who understands all the f- stops, etc. I just know what I want and what I like when the subject or conditions are just right. And am learning the qualities my phone camera can capture. Always a learning curve. Also monsoon clouds combined with summer sun angles are a dramatic combination I like to capture in landscape and Mt shots. I also love abstract angles shadows colors created by a structure or..? And of course all the birds or critters behaving in crazy ways - can I actually get a photo? I’ve had a few lucky moments. Simply being in Nature and appreciating, trying to capture a photo - that provides sacred moments! 😊
I know what you mean with the "golden hour". I've been trying to prioritize getting outside to watch more sunrises and sunsets. They're truly such a beautiful time of day.
The camera quality on my iPhone is quite poor and I've been debating upgrading my iPhone or buying a mirrorless camera. I will spot something beautiful but when I try to capture it on my phone the magic just doesn't appear.
So cool you've done some animal photography as well! There's such a fascinating rhythm to the lives of animals, an entire world going on we're often clueless about.
I’m no professional photographer but I love photography because it engages the “art eye” for me. I love to paint as well. What I focus on as “beauty” in the photos I take are how I can 2 dimensionally photograph the textures, colors and shadows I am drawn to. That’s why so many photographers and painters are drawn to the southwest US: the colors, shadows, textures, even the warmth of the late sun, as it translates into a photo or a painting. Being a writer, I am certain that the same creative touch and intuition will slip you easily into enjoying your photography course - plus the “vibes”. Have fun.
Haha thanks Ki! Really appreciate you reading and leaving your thoughts :)
Very interesting point on focusing on texture, colors and shadows. Are there specific ways you try to capture these elements in your photos? As in -- specific objects you tend to shoot, times of day?
The emotional / intuitive angle also seems very interesting. Developing a taste for what you find beautiful and sticking to that.
I'd love to check out your photography if there's any way I can!
Yes, living in Southern AZ, the late afternoon sun and often early sunrise creates a “golden hour” where light is beautifully casting long shadows but also depth in photos. And of course the beautiful golden or pink tinged light vs washed out colors in mid day sun. Learning what your camera can capture and how to create photos in the essence very close to how you see it with your eyes. Our eyes often see so much more, adapt to lighting, etc that just a point and shoot won’t come close to doing. I don’t have a state of the art 4k digital camera - I use my iPhone then I may have to adjust a few options to get the visual that I thought I was taking a shot of. Like I say, no professional who understands all the f- stops, etc. I just know what I want and what I like when the subject or conditions are just right. And am learning the qualities my phone camera can capture. Always a learning curve. Also monsoon clouds combined with summer sun angles are a dramatic combination I like to capture in landscape and Mt shots. I also love abstract angles shadows colors created by a structure or..? And of course all the birds or critters behaving in crazy ways - can I actually get a photo? I’ve had a few lucky moments. Simply being in Nature and appreciating, trying to capture a photo - that provides sacred moments! 😊
Beautiful, Ki. Makes me want to go back to AZ!
I know what you mean with the "golden hour". I've been trying to prioritize getting outside to watch more sunrises and sunsets. They're truly such a beautiful time of day.
The camera quality on my iPhone is quite poor and I've been debating upgrading my iPhone or buying a mirrorless camera. I will spot something beautiful but when I try to capture it on my phone the magic just doesn't appear.
So cool you've done some animal photography as well! There's such a fascinating rhythm to the lives of animals, an entire world going on we're often clueless about.
Sacred moments is right!
I’d love to share some of my photos with you but I don’t post on public social media sites anymore. And have no option for a private DM here.
That'd be great. Does email work? (thomas.r.dixon31@gmail.com)
Nice issue, Tommy. Have you checked out Steven Foster’s Photography For Creatives?
Thanks Silvio, appreciate you spending a bit of your Saturday with me :)
I have! Will likely be a future student. Have you taken the course?
I have in cohort one. Highly recommended. Steven is a pro, and a good friend.
He was a fantastic mentor in WoP and always cracked my writing open with his feedback. So much presence, good vibes.
I'm sold...