When I joined Pictage last year, I had little knowledge of photography. Sure, I have had point-and-shoot cameras and played around with Photoshop, but never truly understood the fundamental elements that make good – if not – great images. Since joining, I have been indoctrinating into the world of photography, spent time with many of our customers, and have developed a strong interest in photography. So, at PartnerCon in New Orleans – DSLR in hand – I got my first real opportunity to wander the French Quarter and attempt to capture the environment and moments with a greater appreciation for the craft. While a few of my pictures turned out OK (if I may say so myself), it was solely due to the sheer number of pictures I took. Sure, I got pointers here and there from extraordinarily-talented photographers, but I realized quickly that I had a ton to learn.
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend Jules Bianchi’s Photography 101 workshop. The workshop was designed to provide a hands-on introduction to the technical aspects of photography – lighting, composition, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. I was able to spend the evening in a small group setting, learning about these elements, how they interact with each other, and ultimately come together to create great images. While this is elementary to existing photographers, it was an amazing experience for me. I was captivated quizzing Jules on the images she presented, why she took them in the way she did, what was it about the moment that captivated her, the settings she used, and on and on. I am fascinated by the details behind the images, so I can learn how to apply the concepts.
I left the workshop with some fun projects to help reinforce the different elements of photography. The first project that I am really excited to try is the alphabet project – trying to capture the letters of the alphabet in everyday places. For instance, finding the letter “M” in archways or the letter “I” from a lamp post. The other project I will explore relates to color and finding objects within a color family, or finding colors that naturally lead to other colors. A farmers market, with the wide variety of colors in the fruits and vegetables, is a great place to run wild.
So, armed with these projects, I am focusing on the basics…But no matter where you are in your photography, what are you doing to perfect your craft?
Photos courtesy of Jules Bianchi Photography
Written by Kevin Rubin Pictage CFO