On Photography- Part I: An Introduction

Today I begin a series of rants on photography and creativity. I write these posts not as an expert, but as someone who is daily struggling with the artistic process of photography. If you manage to survive the reading of these rambling posts, I hope you gain some perspective on my place in the photographic progression.

Without further ado, Part I, the Introduction:

I’ve said it before, but it warrants reiteration: Good photography is not about equipment. (I know that sounds strange coming from someone who just blew a bunch of hard-earned income on a brand new Canon 5Diii.) Sure equipment is great and good gear allows you to better express your vision. But it’s the second part that there that is far more important than the first. Gear is the tool, but your mind, your perception, your thoughts, and ability to discern are far, far more valuable.

Photography is an art form that falls at the intersection of technology, engineering, and creativity. It’s complex. Even photographers who shoot exclusively using wet-plate emulsions, still rely on a form of technology (no matter how old). Without it, no photography. But despite the advances in cameras, from pinholes and powder-flashes to low-noise-high-ISO-mega-pixel-packing digital SLRs, I would argue there has been no equivalent leap in the art form. Sure images are being made today that could not have been made before, but are they better? Better than Matthew Brady’s stomach-churning images of the battles of the Civil War? Better than the grainy and blurry but terrifying shots by Robert Capa of the American troops storming the beach on D-Day? Superior to the candid street portraits by Henri Cartier-Bresson? Do they top the sweeping landscapes of Ansel Adams, or the hear-wrenchingly beautiful portraits by Dust Bowl Photographers Arthur Rothstein and Dorothea Lange?

In my humble opinion: No.

I guess what I’m getting at here is this: Good photography comes from putting yourself in front of interesting things, recognizing how to compose those interesting things, and knowing how to use the tools at your disposal.

The tools element is the part of the formula this is easiest to learn and teach. Depth of field, exposure, lighting, focus, focal length, shutter speed, are all elements that can be taught and learned. Which is why magazines and websites are so full of techy know-how. Understanding how these relate to the image is the first major step in photography. This is the base, the photography 101, and every successful shooter must have a strong understanding of the technical aspects. This is the science and engineering portion of photography, but it sure isn’t the art.

On the way to mastering the science the photographer moves forward in great fast leaps. Exposure and sharpness improve until that careening learning curve goes smashing into the towering brick wall of creativity. Many photographers, most perhaps, are left crumpled in a pile of frustration. Some will fall back on gear (if only I had this lens or that camera, or that tripod, my images would be SO much better). Some will quit entirely. But a few will dig their finger-nails into the cracks in the bricks and slowly struggle their way up the wall.

And what lies atop and beyond that great stone hurdle?

Of that, I’m not sure yet, but we’ll start on our journey tomorrow with Part II: The tools of the trade.

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