Discovering deeper ways of seeing and thinking about the world
Hello and welcome to your first lesson!
Before we start playing with our cameras, you first need to learn to experience reality a little differently. In our fast-paced world, we often forget about the importance of deep, rich experiences. We overlook the details around us. As a photographer, you must practice slowing down and becoming significantly more aware of the world and the elements you want to capture.
For instance, many would glance at the picture of a portrait and simply come to a conclusion about it being “attractive” or “unattractive.” However, a portrait’s main purpose is to speak about the person in the frame. It’s about facial expression, posture, the look in the eyes, the texture of the skin, the wrinkles in the forehead, the attire of the model, and any other features which might provide a glimpse into the character of the individual.
The truth is that most of us want to see in photography and art what we would like to see in reality. Think about this concept for a minute. What does the art you enjoy say about the type of person you are?
Let’s use an example. When the great painter Peter Paul Rubens painted his little boy, he was undoubtedly proud of his son’s charm. He tried to capture his little boy in all his glory. The result looks as follows:
Now take a look at this sketch:
Your initial reaction may have been “old,” “ugly,” or “wrinkly,” but this sketch, by the German artist Albrecht Dürer, was created with as much love as Rubens’ painting. The subject is Dürer’s mother. His goal was to freeze her in time, capturing her true essence without making her appear younger or dressed up. Now that you know this, take another look at the sketch.
The point of this lesson is to teach you to experience your world differently, re-interpreting things that you’ve already judged and thinking more deeply about your relationship to art and the world around you.
Re-Examining a Plant
For your first exercise, find a portable living plant in or around your home. This exercise will test your dedication to self-education. While you may be tempted to skip it, completing these exercises will significantly help you improve as a photographer.
Now, explore the plant with an open mind. Get really close and notice colors, shapes, textures, and details that you might not have seen before. Look at the earth the plant is potted in, examine a leaf, and notice its irregularities.
You’ll soon realize you’ve likely never been this close to a plant before. The plant is more complex than you initially thought. Now think about how this concept applies to the broader world. Really get to know this plant and spend five minutes with it. Consider its growth, its irregularities, and its role in your environment.
Once you’ve thoroughly examined the plant, think about how this plant would look to a camera. How would changing your angle, zooming in, or altering the light affect the photo?
The point of this exercise is to show that there is beauty in even the most mundane things. As a photographer, you can capture and highlight that beauty. Photography allows you to freeze these details in time, helping others appreciate them as you do.
The purpose of this exercise is to show you that even the most forgettable objects around you have beauty. You don’t need to go outside or have special props to start building your photography portfolio. The possibilities are endless within your own home. You just need to learn to think like a photographer.
If you have extra time and want to explore more about learning to see, watch this video.
Take a look at the following picture:
photo by quinet
You may think the image is lifeless and dull. It seems like nothing can be done to make it interesting. However, as a photographer, you can bring life to such an image by changing perspective, altering the background, or focusing on details.
Notice how the following image captures drama and interest, despite being a similar subject:
Now we’re going to play with photography without using a camera.
Simulating a Camera Frame
Create a frame using your hands. Put your right thumb to your left index finger and your left thumb to your right index finger. You’ve now created a frame that simulates a photograph. Walk around your subject (in this case, the plant) and notice how your perspective changes as you zoom in, zoom out, or blur your vision.
Change your angle. Instead of taking a straight-on photo, try getting below the plant and shooting upwards. Or shoot it from an aerial view. Changing your perspective can lead to dramatically different photos.
Quick aside: Horizontal photos are typically called “landscape” while vertical photos are called “portrait” due to their typical use. Learn more about the different types of photography here.
photo by d_pham
The point of this exercise is to show you how even the most common subjects can be shot in thousands of different ways. Focus, zoom, perspective—small changes can make a world of difference in photography.
Amateur photographers often approach a subject and take the most convenient shot. However, by thinking carefully about composition, you can unlock limitless creative possibilities.
Now let’s move on to your first assignment.
Lesson 1 Assignment: Beast to Beauty
Find something particularly boring in your home. It could be a doorknob, remote control, garbage can, or anything you rarely notice. Take two pictures of it. First, take a simple photo of the object as you usually see it. Next, get creative. Change the lighting, move closer, or alter your perspective to make the object visually interesting.
Once you’re done, continue exploring the next lesson.