Wednesday, July 17, 2013

What I'm Reading: Photography Basics

I'm thinking about subscribing to BurdaStyle magazine. Does anyone out there in Internet-land recommend it? I get the website's newsletter, and every month when they email me about what's in the magazine, I see patterns that I love. What I really like is that they're always different. I don't think I'm ready to drop $90 on a year, but $25 for 3 issues sounds like a good bargain just to try it out, no?

But until I have BurdaStyle to read, I'll stick with books. Along with reading about blogging, I've also been plugging away at learning more about photography. I'm not trying to become an expert or anything, but taking photos almost every day has sort of forced me into finding out more about it. There are TONS of books about photography, so many that it was hard to choose one to start.


I went with this one, John Hedgecoe's Photography Basics. Right away I realized that it wouldn't be perfect for my needs, considering the opening pages talk about film:


But you have to start somewhere, and this was a short read, so why not?

If you remember what it was like when you first started sewing, then you know that half the battle is training your brain to think like a seamstress. I used to look at someone in a pretty dress and think "that's a pretty dress". Now I think "I like the print and the way that yoke is constructed". Training your brain to think like a photographer is much the same. That's where this book helped me.


These twenty ways to improve your photos covered color, depth, and how to recognize pattern. Each tip featured example photographs and text to explain why the photos were successful. I think this example format is a great way to learn (at least for me) and works better than simple text.

The second section covered specific situations (weddings, vacations, beaches) and ideas for how to approach those opportunities.

The biggest fault of the book is the lack of technical explanations. The author freely used photography terms that didn't make much sense to me, and I finished the book without having any ideas about how to go further with my particular camera. But that's okay! If there's anything I've realized from reading sewing books, creative pursuits can't be completely covered in one place. I'm happy to branch out and read more when I have time.

Next week I promise to make a return to sewing books!

Aaaaahhhh personalized buttons on Pick Your Plum

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