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There are days that can only be described as b.l.i.s.s. They usually include things like eating, sleeping,sunshine, the ocean,photography and love. The photo above was taken on one such day in my life. It was an average working day, but a grandfather decided to spend the day on the beach with his eight grandchildren, a picnic basket and a dog. This fact completely removed the average factor.
To see more of the day at True Blue Bay, just follow this link.
And now on to some answers for you: over the past few days, via email and in the comments section of my latest blog posts, you have been asking me questions. I thought it best to answer these in a blog post.
1. What camera do I use? Why?
I use a Sony Alpha 300. This surprises most people because for those who have researched camera's extensively, you will know that this is a very basic, entry level DSLR. In no way does it have any bells and whistles to make for extra special images. I chose this camera for three reasons:
- Budget. I had a point and shoot two years ago. It fell and broke and the insurance amount that paid out was in no way enough to buy a high level camera. I was only dabbling in photography at the time and decided to do the research. I could have waited and saved money to buy a better camera but I wanted to get started as soon as possible. At the time, the Sony outperformed the Canon, Nikon and Pentax in its category.
- Lens Production. Carl Zeiss started producing Sony's lenses for them and that counted for a lot. Carl Zeiss specialise in vision and aparatus related to seeing.
- Necessary limitations. I chose a camera that I knew I could outgrow. I made an agreement with myself that I would only move on to a professional DSLR, when I was able to judge the light in any given situation, and know that no matter what I did with my camera, it would not come out the way I wanted it to. To be in this position, I would have to know my camera inside out on its manual setting. I knew that it would be very easy to slip into the habit of using the auto function on a high end camera and therefore dwarf my own ability to grow. Have I reached this point? Not quite, my 365 light project, is testament to the bad photos that I have taken in order to understand my camera. But I would say that I am a few months shy of reaching this point. I am always learning, and I hope to always remain in that position, whether I have a high end DSLR or not. When I do reach this point, I will be doing research from scratch again, but I think it would be a Canon or a Nikon that I will then buy.
2. Do I use Photoshop Elements, CS2, 3 or 4 to edit your work? Why or why not?
I have never used Photoshop to edit an image. Again I chose to limit myself in order to grow. It is easy to take a bad photo and fix it up during post production editing. It is a challenge to use an entry level DSLR to create a good image, that needs minimal or no editing at all. I use Picasa to straighten horizons, add watermarks and change images into black and white or sepia tones. I also adjust or tune the light levels if the photo was taken in low light condistions or at midday. This is the full extent of my post production for now. Am I ready to move on? Yes. I am. I have in fact scheduled a day within the next month, where I will be entering the world of Photoshop.
3. Have I ever taken a photography course?
Yes, I took a 6 week course in film photography 10 years ago. But more importantly than that, I spent many hours in a darkroom in my high school. I would highly recommend for anyone who wants to take their photography to the next level to find and old film camera and to start playing around with it. Make notes about the settings you use, have your films developed, compare your shots and learn by observation and practice. Better yet, find a darkroom and develop your own shots. Through this process, your understanding of light and dark, and how they interplay, will reach new heights and you will never be able to look at a digital image in the same way again. Would I study photography now? I wish I could but time simply does not allow me that luxury right now. I would love to be a student of Chris Orwig. I bought his book and started reading it as a starting point last night. But I consider myself to be a student even though I am not enrolled as one. I learn everyday, from people like yourselves, who take photos.
4. What about the legalities around taking photos of strangers, commonly referred to as "street photography"?
This is a very important question and one that I had to answer for myself before I started taking these types of photos. It is very important that people give you the consensus to use them as models (posed or natural) if you are planning to sell your images. This is especially true for wedding photography and any photography involving children. In cases where my work has been published, and I have used an image with a person in it, I have asked permission. Where I have taken photos of strangers, I have always tried to approach them afterwards to let them know that I have taken the images. I offer to delete them if they would prefer or I offer to email them as a gift. People like seeing photos of themselves and I have never been asked to delete images. People have always been delighted with the gift. It is not always possible to obtain this consensus though. It is in situations like this that it needs to be made very clear, wherever that content is being published, that should the person ever come across the work, they are free to request for it to be removed. I have been researching Creative Commons and various legal things around this area this very week, due to my latest photos, and I will shortly have such a notice up in my sidebar.
Thank you for emailing me with your questions. I am always more than willing to help where I can.
What camera do you use? Why did you choose that one?
8 comments:
Hey lovely Claire, it has been so busy in Belgium I have not written lately. I have been amazed at the heart I have been seeing in these images from your trip. As I always do, I love your photos. I did not ask any of those questions, but thanks for taking the time to post them so we all could read them.
I will get pictures of Spain up soon, it was a spectacular trip.
I use a Fuji Pix S700, I got it for Christmas in 2008. I told my husband I wanted a camera I could do macro with and yet still have to get better. I agree with you, I want to outgrow, I want to mess around and take horrible pictures and then find that perfect setting and get a good one. I have to post more pictures of mine. I am bad about actually blogging them. I feel that they are so inadquedate to share with the world.=)
ANyways lovely post, see you around the blog world.
Thank you Claire. I really appreciate the open heart and humility you have about your craft. No wonder it's beautiful.
I loved reading this. And, I am so glad you asked your final question. You are the first online friend I get to tell. I use a Cannon Rebel t2i. I just got it a few days ago and I am giddy with it. Absolutely thrilled! I have so much to learn, and I just can't wait.
wow..I really enjoyed thinking of you
in your bliss...so important to
find it when we can..I agree with
your thoughts on photography..
I have a Nikon point and shoot...I
need simplicity
Oh, my goodness. It seems so overwhelming to me. I am considering taking a course this summer just to give me the basics, as I am a total beginner. There is so much information online, but I think i need a teacher to tell me what is necessary and what is best.
Thank you, Claire. You are amazing.
B, please do post your photos. It would be great to see them. I am glad you enjoyed the trip.
In terms of camera's, point and shoots are great for macro. I really had to get used to the limited macro function on my DSLR when I first got it.
Relyn, that is one beaut of a camera! Enjoy every minute of it. It is on my research list for when I reach my goal ; )
Laura, I am so hapy to hear that you are going on a course. Enjoy it. And ask as many questions as you need to. I am asking other photographers questions all the time. Its where I learn the most.
Fun to hear about your process and equipment.
My list, for writing, might be amusing in comparison! :)
pentax.....i'm a pentax girl and we are really hard to find....i mostly play in the sandbox with nikon and canon kids.....i'm kind of the black sheep out there...but that's okay with me....being different is something i've always embraced :)
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