RE: Top 3 things that taught you the most about photography

trevor cunningham <tr_cunningham@xxxxxxxxx> · Fri, 20 Jul 2007 11:17:18 -0700 (PDT)

I know I'm jumping in late, but i have to say that the ONE thing that taught me the most about photography was, well, teaching it...oh, and a lot of input from the good folks on this list!

Paul Weyn <paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:              This was a good topic, Mark. Thanks for bringing it up.

  From: owner-photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mark Blackwell
 Sent: Friday, July 13, 2007 1:35 PM
 To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students
 Subject: RE: Top 3 things that taught you the most about photography

  Well I didn't say anything when I started because I didn't want to influence what the responses might be.  It really is interesting how similar the responses have been so far.

 My top three.

 People running the processing and developing operations Ive used over the years and one in particular was especially helpful.  When I got clinkers they could usually be used to figure out why, often with the help of the people that ran the lab.

 Experimentation.   I have never really
 been afraid of the fact that something might not work (well at least not till it was for a client then you don't guess) as long as I learned something from the experience.  I learned a lot from building many things I use in photography.  Many times the construction process taught me why things were like they are more often than not.  Many would be amazed at some of the things I have used to make a photo.  Anyone ever use a paper plate for a bounce card for your portable flash?  The ovalish shape it provides actually makes for a nice light.  That experimentation also includes subject matter.  It is amazing how much the skills you develop in once area of photography, transfer and improve your work elsewhere.

 Books.  Whose?  Well just about anyones and magazines too.  Sometimes I think these people are nuts.  Other times I think, "Why didn't I think of that?" but regardless of which way it works out it does one
 very important thing.  It makes me think.  As long as you are thinking, the odds are pretty good the quality will get better.

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