Learn Photography - Find Out What It Takes To Be A Photographer

Photography is awesome! There are so many kinds of images that it can satisfy nearly everyone in some way. That's why I have been spending so much time and effort trying to learn photography, every aspect of it. But I get too focused on the technological aspects rather than on the creativity involved in photography.

That's why I came to these couple of questions. Is photography art? And does simply owning a nice camera, like a digital SLR, make a person a photographer?

These questions have hit home with me recently as I think about my own picture taking ability. I definitely fit one of the parameters. I own a digital SRL. It's a Canon 30D. I take literally tons of photos with my camera. However, I on occassion have trouble classifying myself a photographer.

The cause of this difficulty is that I incessantly compare my photos with those of others whom I respect. I spend hours looking at the online images of others who I consider as extremely talented in the area of photography, and, quite honestly, I regard my own pictures pretty lousy after viewing theirs. But then, someone else looks at my images and declares their excellence. The issue, I think, is personal expectation.

I want to capture pictures that are like the ones from photographers such as Rick Sammons and Moose Peterson, a couple of my favorite photographers and teachers. My opinion... I just don't compare as a photographer to those guys.

I'm pretty critical about my own work in photography. Yet there are times, I am even more critical of the work of others who actually do call themselves photographers. Is it really possible that a person declare himself a photographer if he doesn't know an aperture from a shutter speed?

Recently, though, I suppose I have come to my senses. I have been very shallow in my view. It is true that we are entitled to our own opinion about what is art and what is not. Much to my dismay, I have become a "pixel peeper," meaning that I squander too much time on the technical data and sharpness of the image than on the artistic or emotional value.

An image becomes art when it can inspire or draw out the emotion of a viewer.

So what if the person behind the camera doesn't know where to set the ISO. In addition, if the camera is left on "auto" all the time, why should that be important? The key is that they are taking pictures that bring joy, or sadness, or wonder to others.

Something else I realized as I thought through this issue is that all photographers are not attempting to get their photos printed by National Geographic . Their primary goal to have a record or journal of family memories, and that really does make them artists and photographers.

OK, photographers, it's time to get out there and create those images. Don't be afraid to let your imagination lead you into your next shot. Maybe it will bring a smile to a friend's face, or it may end up in National Geographic in spite of us Pixel Peepers.

I am trying to get past the cynicism, and in doing so, I am trying to help others become better at the craft of picture taking. Would you like to learn photography from an individual who has discovered most of the mistakes? To view some photography learning resources, you can visit my website at www.photographyclassesatlanta.org.

Happy Shooting.