At one point or another, all beginning photography students (digital or otherwise) have to ask themselves one question. What makes the difference? Why is his work better than mine, or why is mine better than hers? I have been a Photographer for over 30 years. I have had 5 or 6 photography courses in my life (New York Institute of Photography, US Military Photography Training, etc.) and by far the most useful and enlightening training I ever had in photography, was NOT in photography.

Photography as a physical skill is not that hard to learn. Photography as a creative passion on the other hand, takes more than knowing the mechanics. The greatest influence on my photography career did NOT come from photography training, but instead can from ART training. As a graphic art major in college I learned things like: leading lines, composition, balance, repetition, the rule of thirds, etc. As you apply these types of lessons to your photography, you start to pull away from the pack.

Now a days, anybody can pickup a quality camera at a low price at places like Wal-Mart or Best Buy, but that does not make them a photographer. The photography Masters like Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Dorothea Lange, or Imogene Cunningham all had something in common, they knew how to visualize. They could all “See” creatively. I believe that comes from actually understanding “art” concepts and applying them to your photography. (more…

Tags: Art Concepts, Beginning Photography, Best Buy, Career Day, Creative Passion, Edward Weston, Imogene Cunningham, Local Community College, Military Photography, New York Institute Of Photography, Photography Career, Photography Classes, Photography Courses, Photography Masters, Photography Photography, Photography Skills, Photography Students, Physical Skill, Understanding Art, Wal Mart