You Are A Photographer... You Just Don't Know It Yet

I love taking photographs. 

For me Happiness is... downloading my daily shots to see what gems I might find.

I have only just begun this photographic journey.

And the more I learn, the more I realize, it's just a drop in the bucket.

But there is one thing I do know, and I want to share it with you.

You are a photographer... you just don't know it yet.

The camera I usually use is a Canon entry level DSLR with the kit lens that came with it.  

It is simply one step up from a point and shoot and allows me to take my pictures in settings other than auto.

What I am realizing more and more though, is good photography has much more to do with an attitude towards taking pictures than the equipment you own.

 (This shot was taken by my 7 year old daughter.)

It is about seeing light and how it catches objects and people.

It is about placing your subject slightly off centre, so that the picture does not appear static and boring.

It is learning how to use natural light.  

It is trying a shot while holding the camera high above your head, or taking a shot of people walking from down low.

It is taking a close up of someone's face and only catch half of it.

These types of photo's will give you a different perspective.

Once you see what is possible you will start to see even more possibilities.

It will allow you to stretch your creative muscles.

The photos that will begin to emerge will bring a smile to your face.

There are some very simple steps you can take if you wish to become a better photographer.

And no, a new camera is not one of them.

Flashes almost always make a shot look awful.

Try overriding your flash and if you must use it when lighting is too dark,  use an elastic to wrap a coffee filter around the flash (I learned that from Darcy's 31 Days to a Better Photo Series), so that you can soften some of the glare it creates.

Check your camera's settings and see if you can soften the flash.  

Most point and shoots allow this.

It will make a tremendous difference.

But first and foremost, decide to take pictures; and not just at the requisite birthday party's.  

I mean take pictures of everything around you... every single day... lots of them.

Challenge yourself to a 365 Project so that you have a reason to do this.

You will feel very uncomfortable at first (I know I did), and your hubby and children will look at you funny. But after a week or so they will get used to seeing you with a camera;

and they will no longer ask, "Mom? Why are you taking pictures of that?"

If they do?

Answer... because it makes me happy.

You will also become accustomed to finding opportunities to take a shot.

You will realize very quickly which photo's are interesting and which are ho hum.

So eventually when you walk alongside a chain link fence, you will see the cool shot that could be captured through it.

If you do not have a high resolution camera to work with, you will need to learn a few basic photo editing skills. (Free ones like Picnik are great for simply sharpening and or lightening your photos.)

I feel very confident in stating that photography has very little to do with the camera and much more to do with the vision of the photographer.

In fact I have a secret to share with you.

The photos I've shared in this post were not taken with my DSLR.

And while I have a point and shoot that takes some good quality shots, that is not what I used either.

There is a quote I've seen quite often in the photography world that I love: 

The Best Camera... is the one that's with you!

And I would have to say I agree. 

Here is the surprise... the shots on this post were all captured with my... iPhone camera. 

I kid you not.

In the case of all of these shots, it was the only thing I had available to me when I wanted to capture the moment, (and keep my seven year old happy while waiting for her sister to finish a Badminton practice : )

If you want to become a better photographer?

Simply start today with one photo.

Then after a hundred or so you might find one you really like.

Do this every day and I promise you after 365 days, and 365 000 photos, you will be an amazing photographer.

In fact you already are, you just need to take the photographs to prove it to yourself.

I promise, you will be happy you did.

xoxo

This post is linking up with Darcy at my3boybarians! Jenny Matlock's Alphabe Thursday ~H~ And Leigh's Happiness Project.