I wanted to write a post today on the topic of photography and being a photographer in today’s world. I would imagine anyone reading this blog would know that photography is undergoing tumultuous changes right now. Image making is easier now than ever – with consumer level digital cameras more than capable of delivering professional grade imagery. So that brings the questions why hire a photographer? Or better yet what or who is a photographer. And what does that mean. I can’t claim to know the complete answer to these heavy questions but I can give my perspective.
Microsoft Word did not make a new generation of writers. Perhaps one with initial drafts containing fewer spelling mistakes, but not a better writer. Writing the great American novel is as difficult as it always was. Having ideas and the ability to weave those ideas into a wonderful cohesive story is still extremely difficult and requires quite a bit of talent. And hard work. Good writers not only write, but they do research, they interview, they re-write, research, repeat. They prepare.
I think the same holds true for photography. Being able to deliver wonderful, fantastic images time and time again is the mark of a true professional. Quite honestly, anyone can take a decent picture at any given time. But being able to do that on demand, upon request, while under pressure – that takes a little more than luck. I think one of the first things I learned when I began shooting weddings is how much preparation and homework goes into successfully shooting a wedding. Like many people now, I thought you just showed up with your gear and start taking pictures. Little did I know back then that to be in the right place at the right time, to get the right picture is not just luck – it’s knowledge. Everything from knowing who exactly will be walking when, to which family and guests will be sitting where to where the sun will be at what moment is very important information. All this information determines what lenses I have attached to my cameras, which on camera or off camera strobes I am using, my body position, what ISO/aperture/shutter speed combination I will be using – everything. This way when the moment presents itself I am there to capture it. I won’t be spending time fiddling with my equipment trying to get the settings right. I would have done my research and now need only focus on the job at hand. At that time the camera is just a tool that will help me write the story correctly. Just like Microsoft Word.
