That was my sentiment as recently as this past Friday.
Then it all changed the next day.
As I mentioned in a previous post, my wife’s Christmas gift to me was a gift certificate for an educational session with a local photographer. I had that session on Saturday and all I can say is that I will never use the “Auto” function on my camera again.
Tony Granata, the photographer I met with, immediately changed the way I look at the “art” of photography. We met in his basement/studio where I was surrounded by an endless number of cameras and his stunning photographs:
His passion was obvious from the get-go and I couldn’t wait to get started. To have a one-on-one session with someone who obviously knows their stuff had me so pumped.
As I’m sure many of you are aware, the “Exposure Triangle” neatly sums up what photography is all about:
Now I could have read about this in a book or on-line but what made this session so valuable, was Tony demonstrated each of these concepts on his camera as we were reviewing each one. He even showed me functions on my camera (Canon PowerShot SX20IS) that I never knew existed. You don’t get that attention to detail in a larger classroom setting.
I was especially struck by shooting in aperture mode, which in simple terms for me, was “depth of field”. With gardening photography, there are moments where I’d want to photograph a flower up close and blur the background, hence a larger aperture like f/2.8 (that’s for you Tony to show I picked up on this stuff):
Other times, I struggle to shoot a garden as a whole without “noise” but I now know how to shoot using a smaller aperture. Good times.
I’m still digesting five points of light, SLR photography and how to affect exposure through the +/- button, but the foundation is there. Now it is time for me to go out and shoot and tinker like mad. I’ve already started to look back on old photos to see what I did right (completely through luck) and what I did wrong. My mind has been opened up like never before and I have Tony to thank for that.
Some more info on Tony Granata photography:
Google+ profile: https://plus.google.com/111911561121271030359/about
So Sunday I played around a bit and tried to capture an ornamental grass in all its wonderful swaying glory. Here are three of the same shots with the different settings indicated below the photo:
ISO 200, Shutter Speed 1/500, Aperture F/5.0
ISO 80, Shutter Speed 1/40, Aperture F/8.0, Exposure changed -1 1/3
ISO 80, Shutter Speed 1/125, Aperture f/8.0, Exposure changed -1 1/3
I still have a long ways to go to fully grasp all of this but it has opened the door to creativity and I’m ready to jump the f through.
John
Sounds like you are going to have a great experience…have fun!
Tiffany
Crap! I’m so green with envy!
What fun, keep posting this and maybe I will pull out my good camera and brush up on how to use it!! Nice Christmas gift.
I have a really good camera that I have in the cabinet Canon Rebel XSI EOS and my everyday Canon Power Shot SX230 HS. I have to admit that I mostly use the Power Shot because I do a lot of off site shooting and it is just less combersome to carry around. The advantage of the Rebel is that I can use a polarizing lens (which fell off somewhere in the garden) and that you can do multiple settings. My Power Shot has a great lens 14X and takes wonderful, sharp photos. You are making me want to play around with the Rebel which has so much potential.
Eileen
Love that ‘middle’ shot of the grasses. You did something right there! I struggle with anything other than automatic. I know I could do so much better. I still haven’t quite got there yet and my patience level isn’t cooperating…but I ‘want’ to learn and will, eventually. Thanks for reminding me not to settle for the ‘status quo’; there is more to look forward to! And I think the person you REALLY have to thank is your wife;-)
This posting blew me away…..my husband and I just finished our second Photography class where we ‘learned’ all about that damn triangle….I do think the learning really happens when you tinker around as you said. We are going ‘on safari’ in July so we are determined to figure out more than the automatic setting (we have Nikon CoolPix500s with a 36x zoom)….but I also LOVE to photograph flowers and I your flower picture up there is outstanding! Keep posting this photography stuff; I’m going to share what you posted here with our instructor and the rest of the class! Thanks for sharing!
I am trying to get better at all of the settings on my camera. I’m book marking this post to help see the differences. Reading it is so different from someone showing you. I’ll bet it’s easier to pick up with a person showing you the settings.
It’s amazing what you can shoot when you learn how to use your camera properly. I have been taking an online series of classes and we just finished up with the triangle. It’s every Friday at It’s Overflowing.blogspot.com. Check it out, buy a plant or a vase of flowers and give it your best shot{s}!
Jane
Thank you for showing the 3 different settings. You should be a teacher. I’ve had that stuff explained a million times, but you made it clear. Thank you. I will be book marking this and coming back on occassion.
Exciting…need to learn more about what my little Nikon will do!
By Jingles, I believe you’ve got it! That’s so much more than I can say for myself…You’d never, ever know my daughter was a pro photographer by the way I shoots. Ha! My fav is the last one…so clear.
BlessYourHeart
I’ve always fancied taking photography seriously, but I have had to accept that when it comes down to time to learn, I have too many other things I do to allow me to really immerse myself in it. I guess if I ever get organised and perfect some of the other things I do, it might be on my list.
I crave a decent camera, but as I’d always be on Auto I content myself with a point-and-click. Maybe when I’ve mastered the five string banjo, the art of the saucier, advanced charcuterie, gardening, can speak vietnamese fluently and have a helicopter licence, then I will definitely consider taking photography seriously. Until then I can look on in admiration!
Looks like you’re doing very well, your photos are great! Have fun experimenting. (I have a very simple point and shoot camera) 🙂
Donna
Looks like you’re doing very well, your photos are great! Have fun experimenting. (I have a very simple point and shoot camera) 🙂
Donna
Awesome…so excited you’re getting into the nitty-gritty of photography! I will admit, it seems like a lot at first. I remember when I got my first SLR a few years ago, the person who sold it to me asked if I’d ever used one before…and I admitted only in college, and had stuck with Aperture Priority most of the time. For some reason…him asking me that made me decide I was only going to shoot on manual from the very beginning…and force myself to sort of figure it out. It was bumpy at first…but I’m so glad now that I did it…once you get those fundamentals down, the possibilities are endless! I hope you post more about your progress!
I studied photography in college but had set the camera aside for many years. Just recently, I picked it up again and have been thrilled with the discovery. And I like learning more and more…
Great pictures! I love to fool around with the camera on manual but if I get a good photo it’s usually just luck. I really want to learn those fundamentals well – just need some time to practice!
John, your wife is a wise lady! Thank you for this post. It’ll help me to start, at last, to study my camera’s manual.
Thanks for the visit to my blog. I came over to check you out! I need to find someone to help me get started using my camera in the manual setting. Keep posting on your progress. Maybe I’ll learn a thing or two! Carla
I’ve been to umpteen photography workshops, but darned if I can remember much even a couple of weeks later. Oh well, it’s a good excuse to go to more. 🙂 I’m happy to hear that you had this opportunity to learn about your camera. Looking forward to more of your pictures!
Tiffany – will be fun to explore!
Ms. A – now I need to actually come through
Janet – I’ll be sure to document the tour!
Gatsby – you sound like you are light years ahead of me in terms of photography. Best of luck with it!
Jan – you are right, my wife is the one to thank for feeding my fun!
Kathy – wow, best of luck with all you have going on. I need more info from you!
Sherlock – let’s encourage each other along the way!
Blondie – thanks for the site! I have to check it out.
Birds, Berries, etc – I def have my instructor to thank for making it all a lot easier.
Theanne – thanks for following along
Dar – thanks for stopping by again, I’ll do my best to continue to share how the photography works out.
Idiot – phenomenal comment yet again, best of luck with the banjo more than anything else
Donna – thanks for the kind words!
Scott – I’ve seen your photos and that is what I aspire to!
Sage – best of luck with rediscovering it, hope I can do the same
Ginny – it will be all about the practice and the fun of the journey
Tatyana – it will be my honor to continue to share my efforts – good and bad
Southern Lady – welcome and look forward to keeping up with your blog as well
Soapbox – I def need to keep up with it and plan on future classes with the awesome instructor I had
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