VISION.
Simple word.
Complex thought.
And something I think Peter Adams was talking about in this morning’s photo/art quote. Many photographers chase the holy grail of getting the bestest, newest and greatest camera thinking it will help them make a better image. While I agree having more and better tools at one’s disposal is not a bad thing but if you don’t see and understand the light the way the camera does you won’t be making memorable photographs.
“Photography is not about cameras, gadgets and gizmos. Photography is about photographers. A camera didn’t make a great picture anymore than a typewriter wrote a great novel.” Peter Adams
So what’s a great way to become a better image maker? Learn the language of light. How many lighting terms do you know? How many words do you have to describe shadows? Light direction? Reflection? Direction? Ratio? Color consistency? Hue and saturation?
I’m going to give you a link to a single page of photography lighting terms. Spend some time there. I promise if you review and learn a bunch of these terms and definitions you will give your brain a new way of thinking and expressing light. When you have a larger vocabulary you will be able to see light in a new light… And that will make huge difference. http://www.lowel.com/edu/glossary/
Yours in photography, Bob
PS – After you get finished with that page poke around on your own. Learn color theory from the side of painters and spend time in museums viewing classic art from the masters.