It’s my favourite time of the year and I’ve been wondering what I could do to spread the love. As luck would have it, this morning I learned that Bryan Peterson has moved into his new studio in Chicago and in the process found several copies of his best-selling book Understanding Exposure, his recently published book Understanding Close-up Photography and wait for it…his famous, hard-to-find DVD The Perfect Picture. Bryan was in the mood to play Santa and has bundled all three together for a fabulous price but not for one of the readers of my blog…you will get all three for free! Bryan will sign both books with an inscription of your choice if you wish to give them away as gifts or if you want to hoard keep them for yourself.
What do you have to do to throw your name in the running? Since this is a blog about learning photography, leave a comment sharing one key thing you’ve learnt in your photographic journey this past year. Share anything you’d like as long as you keep it clean. I’ll draw a random name at the end of the day on Friday December 18th. The catch is that I can only ship this prize within Canada and the US but just in case I have any international readers, I decided there should be something for you too. I will also draw one name from those who don’t live in the US or Canada, and you will receive all five eBooks from David duChemin. Check out his blog where you will be able to print a label if you wish to burn them on to a cd/dvd and give them away as a gift.
I wanted to say a special thank you to Bryan Peterson for this special bundle and to David duChemin for working with me to share his eBooks. For regular readers of my blog, you know how much I admire and respect Bryan as a photographer and a person. His Perfect Picture School of Photography has been instrumental in my learning journey in more ways that I can express. In fact today’s image is from a class in Food Photography that I am currently taking through PPSOP. Readers also know that I’m a big fan of David duChemin. I’ve been blessed to be able to connect with him one-on-one as we both live in Vancouver. He is a wonderful writer, amazing photographer, and caring humanitarian, and soon we’ll both be on safari in Kenya. One of the key things I’ve learnt this year is that my journey is made richer by reaching out to others who have travelled or are travelling this same road and I encourage you all to do the same.
So what are you waiting for? Tell us what you’ve learned and don’t forget to indicate where you live. It will just make it easier for me when I pick the two winners.
– Congratulations to Mark Olwick (Seattle) and Mark Forman (Taiwan) winners of the giveaways.–
Dang it, Sabrina, that’s what I’ve learned, too!
I guess if I had to pick something else , though, I’d say I learned that figuring out what you want to say in your photographs is hard. Harder than figuring out the technical stuff, though that can certainly be challenging at times.
And thanks to your recommendation, I will be attending one of Bryan’s workshops in the fall of 2010. I’m really looking forward to it!
I’ve learned so much about photography this year that I don’t think I could put it into a short comment. I’ve learned that this is a craft I want to spend a lifetime working on, and that when you share what you’ve learned with someone else they will teach you something too, and you both walk away richer for it. Thanks for sharing your journey Sabrina — I live in the Vancouver area and it’s really interesting to see it through others’ eyes.
I really like the previous two comments!
My most important lesson this year isn’t a technical one, but it’s been very helpful. I got to spend a little time with Amy Vitale this year on Lumen Dei. We had a discussion about having your camera with you all the time. I said ‘oh yeah, I always have my camera bag with me’. ‘No, no, no, no…’ was her reply. She meant to carry it over your shoulder, with your finger on the shutter. All the time.
After getting over all the negative self-talk (seriously, who do you think you are taking your camera into the grocery store?!), I’ve had my camera over my shoulder every time I leave home. And I stop FAR more often to take photographs than I ever did before. I had no idea what a barrier it was to stop and open the camera bag.
Sigh. Sorry. Didn’t intend for this to become a name-dropping novel. lol. To recap: carry your camera with your everywhere, out where you can use it at a second’s notice.
Here is the biggest thing I learned and tried to focus on this year:
When composing, look at the entire frame – then realize that every element within your frame either adds to or detracts from your image. Eliminate everything that detracts from it. Simplify. Pause. Consider. Press. Repeat.
Mark
Seattle
I’m with you Jen, so much learned this year that it’s difficult to distill it into one key thing but you managed to leave us with some pearls of wisdom. I was part of teaching a photography workshop at work to raise money for the United Way and definitely when one teaches, two learn.
Stuart, you’ve said what I’ve being struggling with lately and in some ways it holds me back from creating photographs. I’ve found workshops to be one of the best ways to get me thinking and those creative juices flowing.
Great advice Erin. I do try to carry my camera with me everywhere I go but I don’t keep it handy. Thanks for that advice!
Mark, you are going to LOVE Freeman’s workshop. You are already in the zone with your thinking. Thanks for sharing with us :]
I rediscovered photography in October 2008. As a teenager in the 70s I thought I knew what I was doing. Work and parenting drew my attention elsewhere for some 30 years. Inspired by my own teenaged sons, I turned to digital photography and quickly found maybe I didn’t know as much as I thought about taking pictures. There was a lot to learn on the digital side of the craft with the camera, the software and using tools on the internet. Obviously there’s still a lot more to learn on that side of things. For the one key lesson learned over the past year its a toss between getting the correct exposure in the camera and properly composing the picture. I think for me the edge goes to understanding exposure and how the shutter, aperture and ISO work together.
Thanks for your blog and the opportunity.
Ken Udle
Orleans, ON
I guess one of the best things I’ve sort of re-learned this year is essentially a quote from an old Richard Bach book “Illusions”, and that is: “You teach best what you most need to learn”. That’s really true – when you teach a friend, or even fellow pro who may have been in the business something you know, it forces you to really think about what you’re teaching, saying or doing. And in doing this, I seem to always learn a bit more about whatever it is myself!
Amazing how that works….
Thanks for your great blog and keep it up!
I’ve learned that not every photo has to be taken of a grandiose subject. I’ve learned to look closer, look smaller. There is a whole world right out our fingertips.
Aimee
Alabama, US
Hi Sabrina, thanks for the opportunity.
What I learned this year is that I love photographing people. I’ve recently done some fantastic travel as part of my 9-t0-5 job and just by having my camera in my hand and a smile on my face, I’ve been able to snap some beautiful portraits and meet really nice people along the way. My camera is now not just a way to record a moment for me, but it’s become almost like a key that opens the door to meet more people in this beautiful world and step into their lives for just a little bit. I guess, too, I’ve learned to be more fearless behind the lens!
I invite you and your readers over to my photoblog to see some of these images and read some of my stories.
For everyone here who has left a link here, I’ve dropped by and it has been inspiring. I can see that being fearless behind your lens has resulted in you creating great images. Thanks for sharing, Mark.
One of the best things I have learned this year is that f/5.6 seems to be the magic aperture for me when taking pics indoors. That, and there is a reason that the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens costs so much –> it turns a good vision into an amazing photograph.
I also learned that getting to know your fellow photographers is an outstanding idea — you never know what you can learn from others until you try.
I love your blog and appreciate the information you share!
Happy Holidays!!
The biggest thing I learned this year is that you don’t need new gear. It can be pretty easy to get caught up chasing the latest and greatest and while new gear is nice, in the end, it’s the person holding the camera and using what you have that makes the biggest difference.
Alan Olson
Zimmerman, MN
I’ve found myself caught up in the gear thing more than once or twice this year Alan, especially as Nikon introduced some new lenses. Your lesson is a timely reminder to me that we are the one element that distinguishes our images from all others. Thanks!
The biggest thing I learned this year is courtesy David duChemin. Vision. Still working on what mine is… But I stopped just taking pictures and started creating an image.
Erin’s advice is about the same that I would give. Always have your camera with you, and take a photo every single day. My day job takes me to the Minnnesota Capitol almost every day. I can’t really walk into a state senator’s office with camera in hand, but I’m getting great photos before and after the meetings as well as at many other places I visit. The sun is setting before I leave work every day so I’ve been capturing gorgeous shots right from my desk and learning a lot about exposure.
Great blog – I look forward to learning more from/with you.
Cool giveaway!
This year I had quite a few opportunities to do real photo gigs – I did 2 weddings, shot a band, and a couple other things. One important thing I learned was how tired you can get and how important it is to make sure you are taking care of yourself! If you’re not, the client is missing out on key photos. I learned to keep a water bottle and an energy bar, at the least, on me, in case of emergencies. I also learned to eat properly and get rest before getting out there.
Not exactly related to the “craft” of photography but still a very important thing to keep in mind when going out there!
I’ve learned that, as Mr. Duchemin constantly reminds us, it’s not the gear that makes things “work”, it’s the photographer. I’ve had much more rewarding experiences when heading out with just my 40D and 1 lens than the few times this year where I’ve rented extra gear. Just like we all learned from the Star Wars prequels, restrictions often push the artist to more creative heights than unlimited gear!
I’m in the US. Thanks for the giveaway. Really neat!
Since this was my first year using a DSLR I’m still learning day by day… 2009 was also the year I started using studio flashes in order to take photographs… It is very basic but the key thing I learned this year was that shutter speed determines the ambient exposure of the photographs. Keep up the good work.
P.S. I live in Greece.
i’ve learned that the best thing i can do for my photography is to shoot for *me*. it is far too much work to try to copy someone else’s style. i know what i like, i am creative, i’m good.
btw, i’m in the US (VA).
cheers!
In the last few months I have been studying the strobe/flash techniques used by Zack Arias. This One Light method is amazing and very easy to understand. I have started shooting almost all of my work using this method and have received many compliments. Out of all the techniques he teaches the most valuable was when using flash photography to keep in mind that the aperture controls the exposure of the flash and the shutter speed controls the ambient light. Amazing stuff.
I’ve heard that Zack’s One Light DVD is a “must have” item. Hearing what you have to say about it has made me realize that I need to put it on my list for 2010. Thanks!
I think the biggest thing that I have learned this year is that You, as the photographer, are in control of what is in the frame. You can complain all day long about not having the right image to take, but until you truly explore your subject, you won’t create the correct image for what you want to portray.
The biggest lesson learned this year is probably counterintuitive, controversial and flies in the face of most of what I read out there.
Enjoy.
That’s it. Enjoy. Enjoy the photography. The feel, the touch, the smell of it. The cold of the snow, the wet of the rain, the sweat on the brow during a hot summer’s day. Swear at Photoshop and Lightroom, and then sit back and marvel at what you’ve done, and swear by them. Pause. Sit. Relax. Breathe.
That single lesson has helped me simplify my workflow (and footprint) drastically, and is bringing back the excitement to the craft of photography, and nudging the pressure of photography out the door.
The biggest thing I’ve learned this year is to relax and take my time…. when I can. Second most important thing I’ve learned is the importance of connecting with fellow photographers.
I first started out snapping pictures in the hope of getting a “cool looking photo”. Now, I realize the photo needs to speak visually to the viewer. It should stir an emotion or make a visual comment. This boils down to paitence; wait and observe.
Your comment makes me smile, Chris. This year Bryan introduced me to “The Waiting Place” and I can’t believe what a difference that’s made in my images.
The most important thing which helped me to become better photographer this year was to focus on getting sharp pictures with my somehow unsteady hands. The increase in ISO, opening aperture a bit more, taking a tripod with me when possible- all those small things which finally made it possible to get more and more photographs I was able to share on my blog.
I started a Project 365 on May 1, and have learned more in the first 220 days than I ever thought imaginable. If I had to pick one thing, it would be learning different angles for composition. More specifically, really looking through the viewfinder and concentrating on what should NOT be in the picture.
I really admire people who’ve committed to a Project 365. This year I had a monthly project and I learned so much by just spending that time exploring different techniques and new ways of seeing things. I can only imagine how exponential the learning if I were to do it every day of the year!
I have learned that you can’t just hide your photos, you have to get them out there for people to see (Still working on this).
Sabrina, thanks for asking the question! I had to come back to read through the answers (as I’ll do again once you’ve put this to bed). Great stuff here.
I have to agree with you, Erin. As I read through these comments I get excited about all the learning that has happened and I realize that I have wonderful things to look forward to in the year ahead.
Hello Sabrina!
This year I’ve learned that “impossible is (almost) nothing” with a simple flash…
Cheers!
p.s.: I live in Monaco
Wow. GREAT BOOKS! I have them, so don’t pick me! Bryan’s books are invaluable. David’s e books and paperbacks are a must on the bookshelf! Great giveaway Sabrina!
I have learned the same as everyone in the comments, as well as PATIENCE! AW! That virtue that eludes me so much of the time.
I’d really like to tackle the Project 365. Maybe that will be my New Year’s Resolution.
Merry Christmas to all!
What I have learnt is that it is possible to take a relatively solo of photography and grow a community and have great fellowship. Over the last year I have done a few things to increase the opportunity of a number of local photographers to come together share and discuss what drives them and their passions – and to grow both and share in the fellowship. I have also learnt that sometimes as well – local photography retailers will come to the assistance to facilitate this… its all good
Kingsley
Perth, Western Australia
I guess what I’ve learned most is just relaxing and having fun and the good images will come. Just be ready when I see them and not be bothered when I dont.
Taichung, Taiwan
That’s a great question, what have I learned this year – so many things! Have faith in yourself and your vision – and if you lose it, have a daughter to get it going again
Seriously, continually learning every aspect of photography. There are so many resources to pull from, Twitter, Blogs, fellow photos friend, great websites and spectacular books. I do have one of Mr. Peterson’s books, Understanding Exposure, and read it every few months for a ‘refresh’. The Close-up book and dvd would be a great addition! Also, having patience and not worrying if it takes 5-10 shots of the same scene to get the one you like.
Happy Holidays and I hope whoever wins enjoys this great bundle – it’s an invaluable gift
I just love how you’ve summed it up in just a few words, Nicole–”continually learning every aspect of photography”. I couldn’t have said it better myself. It’s like an insatiable appetite and the more we learn, the more we want to shoot.
I was totally surprised when the photos chosen for a local amateur photo show were pictures of people. I haven’t been very comfortable shooting people especially close up & head shot or portraits. I learned that I had been under estimating my abilities and that I’d been concentrating too much on landscape & travel. It was a great lesson & truly expanded my vision.
I have learned that there is a LOT to learn. I’ve also discovered there is no shortage of help on the web. Bryan Peterson’s video’s on youtube truly inspired me. There are many podcasts I listen to and almost everyone out there is very willing to put themselves out to help me learn for free! Blogs are too numerous to mention, but the tutorials are abumdant and help me to understand the technical as well as the artistic and inspirational side of photography. If I win, I live in Allen, Tx and I would cherish the gifts. Thanks.
I think that the most important thing that I have learned in 2009 is that I should value my play time above all else. It is great to have clients and they help me focus and stretch me to learn, but if I don’t budget in my “play” time, my creativity gets lost in a sea of demands. Since it is my creativity that people generally hire me for, over and above any technical skills, it is important to keep the the flow going. I am no longer embarrassed to say that I am going to take a day off and vanish off into the woods. It is not selfish. It is vital. So I am off to go make a snowman – wish me luck… Oh, and since I forgot to mention, I live in North Eastern British Columbia, Canada, in a little town called Dawson Creek…
I’ve just realized within the last few months that I not only love looking at pictures but I also love to take them. As I have mentally downloaded tons and tons of information about photography one thing really struck a chord with me. I love to show others the beauty I see, but I have learned that a captivating picture is one that also tells a story somehow to draw in the viewer.
We are winding down to midnight here and I just want to thank everyone who took the time to leave a comment. There are many pearls of wisdom here and I hope to explore some of these further in the year ahead so don’t be surprised if you hear from me.
I’ll announce the winners after I do a random draw and contact the lucky readers.
I have learned, un-learned, and re-learned again how to enjoy this craft, to play, to embrace – even pursue – the imperfections and the unexpected. I’ve learned, on a deeper level, that what matters first is not how commercial an image is, nor howmuch others like it, but how much I myself like it, how much I enjoy the process. And speaking of process, I’ve learned to pursue the process as an end to itself, and stop focusing on the product (print) exclusively. These are lessons I seem to learn over and over in the last 25 years of creating photographs, and each time it feels I’ve never learned them.
No doubt I’ll relearn them many times again in the coming 25; what matters is that the learning is as much fun as the lesson I’m meant to have learned.
Thanks for a great blog Sabrina. Safe travels to J’berg. See you in Nairobi.
Merry Christmas.