I learned

It's not news that I have picked up photography these past few months. I have engaged in this hobby with a burning passion. I have read books, searched the internet, browsed many professional websites. Most of all, I have been experimenting. Experimenting by taking many photographs. Many, many photographs. In fact, I have my camera sitting on top of my kitchen counter, collecting whatever it may come its way. I take it wherever I go, and I mean wherever. No place is too insignificant for me, and nowhere is too unimportant. Because you just never know, when is there a photographing opportunity. Opportunity seeker? You bet. Borderline obsession? Maybe.

There are many things that I have learned these past months. Many things I can write down, but many I can not. Everyone has a different experience with her camera, and I do not want to speak for anyone. Below are some significant things that I have encountered that I see as valuable lessons. I hope this helps some of you out:

1. The camera itself, contrary to popular belief, does NOT make a photograph greater or worse.

• Many people think, the more money spent, the "better" the camera. While this may ring true in many aspects, you know a camera does not make a photographer as a typewriter does not make a writer.
  
• Megapixels. The larger the number, it really just means the larger the pictures can be printed out without a grainy look; it has nothing to do with how clear a picture comes out. You may find this surprising, but a camera with a 5 or 6 megapixels are really what we, the everyday, average photo-takers will need. When will you ever want to print out a picture that is the size of a door? In addition, the larger the megapixels, the larger the picture files will be. Do you have enough space on your harddrive to store all?

2. The composition, or how you set up a picture, makes or breaks a photograph.

• Many of you are familar with the word, "composition". Just like writing a paragraph, you want everything to flow in a photograph. You can photograph a cute, adorable face your child makes, but if you do not see the trash can that is sitting in the background, it will ruin the whole thing. My cousin, who's worked as a photo editor for Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar magazine in NYC, gave me this advice: "Take care of the edges, and the rest of it will take care of itself." I can't thank her enough for that advice.
• The rule of thirds. It sounds more complex than it really is. This just means, it is better, aethetically speaking, to position the subject(s) of your photograph in a one-third position of your photograph, whether vertically or horozontally. If you cut your photograph in three parts, your subject(s) should fall into at least one of the sections. Positioning it right in the dead middle usually, not always, is not very pleasing.

3. Get familiar with your equipment.

• This is so vital. You have spent almost a grand on a camera, if you don't know how it works, it is such a waste. Don't get stuck in the Auto modes; get creative, use the manual mode, shutter-priority, aperture priority modes, adjust the ISO, adjust the white balance, do whatever you can to manipulate, take control of your photographs. When you are manipulating, that's when it's fun, and that's where it becomes addicting. You want to be a better photographer, you have to be addicted to your camera!
• Know when to use flash, and when not to. Personally, I never use my flash. I hate the look of the flash on a cute little face. I use as much natural light there is, then I adjust my ISO number, my shutter speed. When all else fails, I bust out my tripod. I will do whatever I can to avoid using the flash. I hate the flash.
• Focus, focus, focus. You can adjust your focus on all your DSLRs. I always use manual, this way, I focus on my subject(s), and the pictures come out clear. Clarity, isn't that what you really want? Find out how to turn your auto focus mode to manual focus. This will change your life.

4. Do not be discouraged. DO NOT!!

• I am proud of my work. Most of it, that is. Here's a little secret. Out of 500 photos I take, maybe less than 20 will really come out. Then out of the 20, I will pick and choose the best five, and then I will present them to the world. This is absolutely, positively normal. I know that even pros have only about 10 to 20 percent of their pictures come out. Every time I photograph my kids, I ended up deleting most, if not all, of them. Then I do it over, and over, and over again, until I have a few that will come out. Do NOT look at others' work and wonder, how come their pictures always come out so good? Know that every photographer keeps this secret to herself. So don't be discouraged if your pictures do not come out; keep trying.
• Do not compare yourself with anyone! I was guilty of doing this for a long time. Not until I realized that I have only started this long photography journey, and that I should enjoy every moment of it, I stopped comparing. Then I developed my own style, which I feel very comfortable with. You always want to become better than what you already are. Don't look at others and wish you are at that level. It took them years, and so should you.

5. Your photographs should convey a story.

• What do you want to tell the world through your photographs? Don't let them be just merely snapshots.
  
• What do you want to tell the world about you, the photographer? Your photographs will say it all.
  

Finally, I have a few photographs to share. Usually I share with you the goods, but not the bads. But I want you to know that not all of my photos come out, either.

Problem: you can see the handle for the fridge, a composition no-no. Also, it is clearly blurry, because there was not enough light. A low ISO number plus she was moving, and my unsteady hands caused this horrible photo.

Again, not enough light, unsteady hands, and movements cause this.

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But the world may be different because everything worked out right together:

Last, but not least..you can photograph anywhere you choose. You don't have to choose the most beautiful park, or when the sky is at its bluest. Learn to photograph anywhere will help you improve your skills, trust me on this. ♥