The Photo Questions

Veronica noticed my shiny, new blog. I just created it Wednesday night, and then passed out b/c I stayed up way too late. Why is it that even when my kid finally sleeps well at night, I waste away good sleeping time on other things?

*smacks self in head*

Anyway…

Recently, I’ve had a few people ask me how I “take such good pictures.”

First of all, let me say I’m very flattered by such questions and comments. Thanks for thinking they look good! (And keep saying to me the nice words and phrases; it makes me feel all warm inside.) I’m really trying to improve my photography skill right now, actually.

[If you want to see some seriously good photography, visit my sister's website. She's a professional, and she rocks all the balls.]

I do try pretty hard to get good shots…

(thinking ‘ohpleasegodletitbegood,’ right before pushing the button, I’ve found, doesn’t really help. shucks)

I’ve been interested in taking photos more and more over the years, probably really starting in earnest back when I was dating Neil (high school/college/grad school), who is a cinematographer. He gave me my first real camera (I had cameras before, but they were serious idiot box cameras), and gave me various tips to take better pictures.

I’ve always had an eye for things of beauty – especially in Nature (in fact, beauty in nature is actually what led me to faith, but that’s another story for a different day). Photography lets me freeze what I see so I can gaze upon it at will.

The digital camera I’m using is a nice one, but professional level by no means. In fact, I’m getting antsy for a new one. I got this one at the end of 2004 (as a birthday gift from John) – it’s a Kodak Easyshare DX7630. It DOES take good quality photos (6.1 megapixels). It has served me well for the last 3 years.

Some things about my camera have begun to annoy me (it’s not as fast as I’d like, the software is gargantuan, the flash is crappy, it doesn’t do great in low-light, the optical zoom is lame, it won’t wipe my butt for me or do the laundry, etc.).

I didn’t used to notice these things. I think that as my technique and skill elevate (slowly, but surely…like, from monkey to preschooler, so far) I’m becoming aware of the little faults in the equipment, and desiring more.

My improvement is what makes me hunger for a nicer digital camera. That requires money. Ho-hum.

I also own a film-loading camera that takes lovely pics, and I’ve been playing with it more lately again. There’s something about a film-loading camera that I can’t put my finger on, which is just missing in a digital.

If I was going to offer just a short blurb about what to do for good pics, it would go something like, “Good camera, natural lighting (sunlight), be aware, study your surroundings, be patient, take lots, keep at it.”

I try not to use Photoshop to make pictures “look good,” rather, I try to take them well (good lighting, framing, etc.). It’s ALWAYS better if the picture just looks good the way you took it, ya dig? I use PS to size them down for uploading, and if I need to create a graphic or something (like the banner on the site).

[Sometimes I just sit around playing with PS effects to learn more, or warping the picture of someone I don't like. Putting bullet holes in someone's temple, grafting a penis to the side of a face, or just enlarging nostrils, for emphasis = my idea of a good time, friends.]

All of that said, I’m not above photoshopping a zit here and there, or brightening up a shot that is a lovely image, but too dark. I actually don’t do it often, but I will do it. If there was a “remove extra fat and bags under eyes” button in PS, you’d be seeing a lot more pics of me. Heh.

So, yeah, I don’t Photoshop the pics to death, but if there’s a great pic of me, and there’s a booger on the side of my face, I’m Photoshopping it.

To make the booger bigger.