As I told in the previous article, I got into photography a bit by chance. I needed illustrations for my side project, Viena Directo, so I started to produce them myself. At first, with a small Canon camera, an IXUS, and then with my first SLR.
So I have been a self-taught photographer. Sometimes, especially when there are other photographers around, the fact that I have learned everything I know by myself is a bit embarrassing and I must confess that I tend to have the classic complex.
I know such an idea is not justified because, although technical ability is important, as you accumulate some experience over the years you learn that, as important as technique, is what is often called “having a good eye”.
WHEN DO YOU HAVE A “GOOD EYE”?
When do you have a “good eye”? Well, the simplest answer to that question is that you have a “good eye” for photography when you begin to see the world in pictures and acquire the instinct to recognize the right moment to press the shutter release button. You know: a second before is too soon, a second after is too late.
After much thought, I believe that this instinct, this “good eye”, can be learned in part, especially by looking at lots and lots of photos took by other photographers and wondering how they did them.
Another part is innate and is based on a natural talent for balance and composition. In other words, knowing what will work within the four boundaries of a piece of paper (or a screen).
And here comes the personal part: being a self-taught photographer somehow makes me a little nervous before each photo shoot. I know that it is silly but can’t help it. Maybe I’m afraid of being exposed as an impostor. That’s why I need to somehow break the ice. I guess this happens a bit to everyone and everyone has their own method of calming down and concentrating.
My trick is to have a short conversation with the person that I am going to portrait. I use that time to create an easy-going atmosphere, which is good for the model but, above all, good for me as a photographer.
It’s ten minutes (usually while I am assembling the equipment) that I use to get an idea of the kind of person in front of me.
TO TAKE PICTURES IS TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT A PERSON WITHOUT WORDS
To take pictures of someone is to say something about that person without words. That’s why it’s critical for me to know a few things about the man I’m photographing, and I also do my best to like him.
I realize that some people will not believe what I am about to write, but I find it very difficult to photograph a person I don’t like, or at least a person with whom I have no connection, no matter how slight. I mentally call this short conversation ‘building the bridge’ and of course, once the bridge is in place, everything goes much more smoothly.
Leave a Reply