One of my goals this year is to really start working on my photography. I discovered that I love taking photographs and learning about photography just a few years ago, when I was in grad school and spent all my free time wandering through a textile mill that was shutting down, watching workers slowly cart all the looms and other machinery out the door. Writing about this was one thing. Seeing it was another, I quickly learned. And the first digital camera Pat bought me for Christmas one year — I cried I was so happy — fueled my love of wandering around and taking photographs.
What I’ve also realized, though, is that it helps to make time to practice. I’m one of those people who like to be perfect the first time around. I admit it, freely. But, practice! It struck me today that the idea is almost unheard of — for me, especially — and completely underrated. But there’s a lesson there, obviously. Musicians likely spend more time practicing than performing for others. But practicing writing or reporting, for example? Who encourages that?
The answer is that I’m going to encourage practicing, for myself and my photography at least. Last weekend, you’ll remember, I organized a photog meetup in West Asheville to get some practice in and to meet other photogs interesting in learning. Six of us crowded around a little table at the bakery down the street, passing around Keri Beth’s Gorillapod and talking about photography inspirations before heading out to shoot for about an hour or so. Along with the interesting group of photos everyone shot during the meetup, a cool list of online sites to check out started to emerge. It’s still small, but I think it will grow as the conversation continues and as I keep practicing. Here’s what we shared with one another, places to go for inspiration and information, to help our practice develop:
Reviews, technical info and equipment specs:
- Camera Labs
- Digital Photography Review (also known as DPReview)
- Steve’s Digicams
Photo blogs, inspirations and essays:
- The Big Picture at The Boston Globe
- Zenography (Zen’s blog)
So, I want to ask you: What and how do you practice something you love? And, maybe more importantly, how do you know you’ve learned what you set out to do?
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January 30, 2009 at 11:39 am
jason
Angie,
For me, the practicing part isn’t as much of a challenge as the learning part. With photography, i just go out constantly, always with camera in hand, and always shoot, even if i feel i’m not being that creative.
the hard part is learning, and i feel the best way is to do what you’re doing — create a group of like-minded folks and ask them for help, for feedback, for advice. i’ve learned so much from friends i’ve made through the Day in the Life of Project, through other photographers i’ve met, etc.
i’m gearing up for the third year of DITLO, by the way, and hope you and your group will join in.
best,
j
January 30, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Angie Newsome
Jason, I think you’re right, and you’re describing what I’m doing, too. I sometimes get stuck with trying to be creative first, taking the photograph second. It should be the reverse! It seems that the goal is, sometimes, to just take the photograph. It seems so obvious, but sometimes my idea about the photograph stands in the way of actually taking it.
As for DITLO, I’m hoping to participate, for sure. And the group I shot with once isn’t fully formed or even a group, really. Just a gathering of sorts. It’s open to everyone who’s interested in learning and having fun while doing it. Let me know when the date is set and I’ll spread the word, too.
February 3, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Stacy
I find that I want to skip the practice thing and jump right into perfection and wind up feeling frustrated and depressed by my results. You are so right in practicing and sometimes you just need to stir the creative pot with throw away stuff. Thanks for reminding me about that.