PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY – THROUGH THE EYES OF A MASTER
Professional Photography
For many the idea of being a “professional” or “advanced” photographer is all about technique. They make the art of photography easier by dividing it up into bite size techniques that when combined can create technically perfect photographs. There obviously are the technical aspects of photography, but there is another aspect that is often overlooked. That aspect is the art of seeing.
When you’ve learned all the techniques – you’ve mastered the idea of thirds, you’ve learned about light and contrast, and really you’ve spent much of your time learning to take that technically perfect photo – there needs to be somewhere to go from there.
The next step in truly learning to master your art is to develop an eye that can really see. That is – the eye of a master.
SEEING AS A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
The first thing to understand is that a truly exceptional photograph is more than just a technical masterpiece. Along with the technical aspects, a good photo need more. It should have impact, it should have strong organization, and it should be an expression of your individualism.
Even if it is just a real estate photo, if your photograph looks the same as the other three photographers that a prospective client scoped out, what’s to make them hire you?
Gaining that special something in your photographs is all about the way you look at your subject. It’s about learning to use more than just your basic sight. See your subject in its entirety, notice the finer details, the textures, subtleties of the light. Developing the eye of a master is really about being super-aware of your subject.
DEVELOPING YOUR MASTERS EYE
With time, simply being aware that you need to look deeper, you’ll find yourself doing it all the time. Even with that there are a few things you can do to help yourself learn to truly see.
* Books by the Masters: To begin with get some books by photographers who were (or are) considered masters. Photos by Ansel Adams, Larry Ulrich, or Carr Clifton, can give you a start. Rather than just admiring the photos, look deeper. Try to imagine why they stopped at that particular spot. Scrutinize the subtle details of the photo, look at the finer aspects of the image, and then try to see those aspects when you take your own photographs.
* Don’t Shoot the Same Photo Twice: Most of us have a tendency to shoot the same type of photo, using the exact same method. Look through your photo library, and see how many similar photographs you have. It is very likely that your photos of tulips, for example, all have similar qualities, styles, methods, etc. Try changing your style. Shoot from a completely different angle, under different condition, and with different equipment. Look for a different style that would work.
* Attend Art Galleries and Photo Galleries: Although this follows along the lines of the first tip, it is slightly different. Attending artistic style galleries can give you the ability to scrutinize someone else’s artistic vision. This can be a great way to develop your own. Study paintings, fine art photography, still life photos, and even museum pieces. When you are, be sure to pay attention to what you see. Simply being aware that you should be paying attention to the finer details is a great step in developing your masters eye.
* Practice with a Single Subject: Find a person, a building, or a still life photo that you want to take. Try different angles and shooting methods, and begin to scrutinize the details in your own photographs. Don’t look at the big differences. Instead notice the subtle changes that a different perspective can bring.
As you develop your eye, and you can begin to truly see deeply, you will find your photographs improving. The technical aspects of professional photography are important, but a true professional will also work to develop the eye of a master!
