The Art of Photography

March 20^th is the first day of spring!  And what better way to welcome warm weather than to get outside and photograph Mother Nature in all her glory? These days it’s all too common to hear complaints that people spend too much time taking pictures of their experiences instead of living them. The thing is, the photographs play an important role in allowing people to hold on to memories and give the rest of the world a peek into their lives.

Why take up photography? It makes your life better!

1. Photography affords immortality. Don’t believe it? Look at all the old photographs your mom or grandmother had around. Some of us are even lucky enough to have photographs of great-grandparents. What a difference between the lively, natural photographs today and the stiff, formal pics from a century ago!
2. Photography documents your journey through life. From your childhood pictures to your child’s pictures to your grandchild’s pictures. From first smiles to first steps to first dates, your life can be documented and preserved.
3. Photography is a wonderful stress reliever. I mean, really, how much can you concentrate on that all-consuming problem when you turn your focus instead to the petals of a flower, the wings of a butterfly, the graceful curves of a majestic mountain, or the dimples of a smiling baby?
4. Photography inspires your imagination. Make connections in your world that otherwise might be lost. Just imagine how the cracks in the sidewalk surrounding a couple’s shadow convey how solid their connection is, even in the midst of this crazy, cracked up world.
5. Photography as a career is possible for anyone with a true passion for it. There are classes, books, and websites to teach you as much as you want to learn. You have your whole life in front of you. Why not aim for a part-time gig on the side?
6. Photography brings you closer to your natural spirituality. Look around at the wonders of nature. You simply can’t help but understand how very small you are while considering how very vast and majestic the world really is.
7. Photography lets you see things that you may never notice otherwise. The play of colors, the interactions of people and things, a fleeting moment that will live forever.
8. Photography preserves new and old memories. Think of the wife or husband who has lost a spouse. Or the child who lost a parent. With pictures not only can they have no fear of forgetting their loved one’s face, but can remember exactly what was going on when that picture was snapped, cementing the memory forever.

Get started!

There are plenty of websites around that can help you get started without having to plunk down big bucks for photography classes.  Google “Learn photography” or visit these websites and use these search terms within the site:

1. Canva.com – Search for “20 effective ways to learn photography without going to photography school.”
2. Adorama.com – Search for “Learn Photography.”
3. Adorama.com – Search for “10 Best Free Online Photography Courses.”

You’re off to a great start!  Next stop:  Photoshop and Lightroom. Have fun!