Do you see yet?
Really see?
I believe we all go through stages when learning photography of learning to see as the camera sees. Most of us start out by making images that have some decent composition and maybe the occasional lucky lighting scenario and people tell us we should become professional. These are usually family and friends that don’t have a lot of visual and artistic background and that becomes the standard by which we judge ourselves.
Then we practice.
Study.
Learn.
Practice some more.
Learn more.
Realize that we aren’t really creating images that have depth and dimension and start our work in earnest in becoming the best professional photographers we can be. At least that’s the way it seems to be working for me. Artists through time have recognized that many people look, but not all people see…
“There are three classes of people: Those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see.” – Leonardo Da Vinci
There is something about finally learning to see that is quite exciting. Perhaps I’m a slow learner or as I think, it takes time and study to really see. I’m not even sure I’m there yet… I’m still studying, art and other artists as well as photography and other photographers. Here are a couple of bonus quotes from other photographers.
“The camera doesn’t make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE,” – Ernst Haas
What do I see? How do I use the camera to communicate the feeling I have about what I see? – Jim Graham
And, once we have learned to see, can we translate that into an image that others can see?
I’m still searching. How about you?
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – here’s one of my favorite Ernst Haas photographs
Bullfight captured by Ernst Haas
