Australian's have purchased more than 14 million new digital cameras in the last three years. These cameras are equipped with sharp lenses, auto-focus, auto-exposure and auto colour balance. It would seem that its a foregone conclusion that the new camera owner is going to get a perfect picture.
Unfortunately, paying a large amount of money does not guarantee that you take perfect pictures. It doesn't even guarantee that you get good pictures. It simply means that you are the proud owner of an expensive camera.
The word 'camera' is Greek for 'writing' or 'painting' with light. And a pre-requisite for fine art photography is studying light; its direction, colour, softness or harshness and its intensity. A love of light follows this understanding.
The second pre-requisite for fine art photography is a learning how to make best use of negative space ie the dark areas of the image. The concept of negative space eludes 99% of amateur photographers and a fair number of professionals.
The third element if fine art photography is the creative development of ideas. Anyone can buy a fine camera and sharp lenses if they have the money. You cana lso attend courses and read books and do on-line courses. But you CANNOT buy ideas. Ideas come from you and you alone. For those ideas to develop you need to put rich fertilizer on your imagination - by way of creative input like art images, films, music, conversation, observation and relaxation.
If you would like to learn the basics of portraiture join me at my next UWA Portrait Course on 16 March 2013.
Unfortunately, paying a large amount of money does not guarantee that you take perfect pictures. It doesn't even guarantee that you get good pictures. It simply means that you are the proud owner of an expensive camera.
The word 'camera' is Greek for 'writing' or 'painting' with light. And a pre-requisite for fine art photography is studying light; its direction, colour, softness or harshness and its intensity. A love of light follows this understanding.
The second pre-requisite for fine art photography is a learning how to make best use of negative space ie the dark areas of the image. The concept of negative space eludes 99% of amateur photographers and a fair number of professionals.
The third element if fine art photography is the creative development of ideas. Anyone can buy a fine camera and sharp lenses if they have the money. You cana lso attend courses and read books and do on-line courses. But you CANNOT buy ideas. Ideas come from you and you alone. For those ideas to develop you need to put rich fertilizer on your imagination - by way of creative input like art images, films, music, conversation, observation and relaxation.
If you would like to learn the basics of portraiture join me at my next UWA Portrait Course on 16 March 2013.
