Want to see images in a new way? To develop a photographer’s eye? Or perhaps break out of a rut in your photography? Maybe you just need a kick in the seat of the pants to get you motivated again.
Earlier this year, while attending and speaking at SPA, Senior Portrait Artists, I picked up a few key ideas for how to develop your eye for photography. The ideas have worked for me and I’ve got it on good authority from a few pro photogs that they work for them. Keep reading to find out how you can do it too!
Tip 1: Return to your first love.
Remember why you picked up a camera in the first place. Was it to capture your kids? Or your grandparents? Was it landscape photography or details that captured your attention? Return to that. Remember it’s your photographer’s eye, what you see, not anyone else.
The reason I started really focusing on improving my craft was when I had kids, so today I returned to that first love… the beautiful eyes of my daughter.
Tip 2: Abandon the rules.
Everyone sees differently. Everyone experiences life uniquely. So why do we all try to follow a prescribed set of rules that box us in and tell us how to express our passion and our art? Why do we allow ourselves to get so wrapped up in what we are doing right or wrong that we completely kill any love we had for what we’re doing?
Stop it. If you know the rules, deliberately try to break them. If you don’t know them yet, stop beating yourself up about it and stay true to what works for you (and your clients, if you have them). There’s no harm in learning the rules, but don’t let them tie you up and box you in so that you lose your passion and excitement for capturing life.
Tip 3: Watch someone else.
At SPA, I had the great pleasure of watching a few photography industry “greats” on a live shoot. The first was Chris Routt. According to his website, he’s nationally recognized as one of the top senior photographers in the nation.
Next was Scott Hayne, top artist of the year last year at SPA. The environments he creates for his subjects are nothing short of stunning. So if you want to see differently, try seeing through someone else’s eyes…arrange a photowalk in your area and invite other photographers, talk about what you see, and share the final images. Make sure to look at other people’s work online and if something strikes you, write to the photographer and ask how they created that image. Never hurts to ask.
YOUR TURN
Those are my top 3 tips for how to develop your photographers eye. Do you have more ideas for how to see differently, get a new perspective and transform your images? Share your ideas so we can all learn – post on Twitter or Facebook – or send me a message!
Image Specs: 50 mm lens, 1/100 @ f/4, ISO 200, Westcott light kit, processed in Photoshop CS3 for clarity and contrast.
Manual: Page 114—Approved Memory Cards.
Images: Spent time looking at images of fellow 365-ers, Chris Routt, and Scott Hayne.
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