Photography is a form of art. Sometimes I think it’s easy to forget that since cameras are so readily available nowadays. I mean EVERYBODY has one, right? Even that little kid with a phone...yep he has a camera too. So are we all photographers then?

Well, I guess it would depend on how you classify a “photographer”. Some say you have to earn money at the craft to carry that prestigious title. I, on the other hand, think that you’re a ‘photographer’ if you are devoted to the art form....if it’s important to you to create something other than a snapshot, and you are invested in the outcome.

Okay, now that definition is totally subjective, but it’s my blog. So I can say anything I want. And I think that a photographer is someone committed to making interesting, unique photos, and considers it an art form. Not just a selfie machine.

Moving on.

So we’ve established that photography is art. And that you are a photographer (since you’re here, reading this). Well as far as art forms go, photography is kind of complicated. I mean you have the technology part, lots of equipment can be involved, then there’s light, composition, creativity, editing...Whew! That’s a LOT to think about. A LOT to master to be good at it.

I think there are certain photos that demonstrate photography is more than just a snapshot. It’s art. This one was taken in Carcassonne, France. Put it on your list…it’s a beautiful place to visit.

So let’s talk about that. Are ALL of those components equally important? Do you have to be an expert at ALL of them to be good? No. Well...maybe. Let’s break it down.

First, let’s start with camera settings. That is a topic alone that can drive people to give up on photography. Oh yeah, I might be talking to myself there. I put my DSLR back in the closet at some point and bought a point-and-shoot. Because the camera settings drove me mad.

I studied them. I took courses, I read books. And still...I just didn’t seem to get it. I used to be embarrassed by this, but now I know that I’m most certainly was NOT alone in this.

Students have said to me “I just can’t get my head around that triangle” (the exposure triangle is what they’re referring to here)...”I’d like the exposure settings to come more naturally”...and even “the technical stuff drives me nuts”.

So is it crucial to learn this? Well...yes. But. Here we go again with the buts. The but is...there are different ways to learn “this”. You don’t have to be a camera engineer and be able to disassemble and reassemble your camera. You don’t even have to shoot in manual mode to be “good” or even to be a “photographer”.

But it really truly does help you to understand what aperture, shutter speed, and ISO do and how they affect each other. The good news is that you absolutely, positively can do it. How do I know that? Well I did, didn’t I? And I’m not an engineer. If I can do it, then yes...you can too.

I have some blog posts specifically on this subject, and here’s a good place to start: The Exposure Triangle Made Easy.

Could I have captured this moment in a darkish restaurant in Santa Fe without understanding my camera settings? Probably not. I was also pushing myself out of my comfort zone and trying something new…we’ll get to that topic later.

Let’s move on to composition - my favorite. I personally think that this is the most important factor. (I know, I know I’m not supposed to have favorites). This is where you arrange the elements in your photo. Which basically means how you stand in relation to what you’re photographing.

It means crafting a story by changing the angle or emphasizing certain things in the scene. Making your subject especially prominent. And making sure there aren’t obnoxious distractions that pull your eye away from what’s important - you know, that star of the show...your subject.

Oh, and you guessed it...there’s a blog post on that. 5 Composition Guidelines That Will Make Your Photos More AMAZING.

But can you have the perfect composition with crappy exposure (those damn camera settings just won’t leave you alone) and still have a good photo? Well...editing can help a lot to fix bad exposure. To a point. IF you shoot in RAW. So if all the if’s line up then possibly you can salvage a good composition with terrible exposure.

But the best case scenario? You compose a beautiful story and get your exposure really good...or even pretty good. And then yes, editing can get you the rest of the way to a pretty darn good image.

This photo of an abandoned library in Alcatraz certainly tells a story. What helps with that? All of the things…camera settings to get the light just right, the composition to get the empty shelves and shadows…and a bit of creativity thrown in for g… — This photo of an abandoned library in Alcatraz certainly tells a story. What helps with that? All of the things…camera settings to get the light just right, the composition to get the empty shelves and shadows…and a bit of creativity thrown in for good measure. It almost feels haunted, right?

Now let’s talk about another component of photography. Something that’s not nearly as concrete as camera settings or even composition. It’s creativity. And not just being creative but actually TRUSTING in YOUR creativity.

What do I mean by that? I mean that we are all creative, but unless we believe that and trust in our ability to pull it off...we probably won’t even try to create unique images. We won’t try new, weird, different things with our camera. We’ll get stuck in a mode, in a comfortable place...and just stay there.

How do I know this? Well, first of all it’s human nature. And it’s my nature. I like what’s comfortable. So once I get something down pat and it works, then I keep doing it. And doing it.

Yeah so this is my rut. It’s a pretty cute one though isn’t it?? (Maggie Mae, the princess of our household…and her Duckie)

But sometimes we need to shake things up a bit! Try a different lens, camera even, aperture setting...get some blurred motion going on. Or make some abstract photos.

And it’s not just about creating weird stuff. It’s also about how we look at the world around us. So when you travel, what do you see? Do you see what the guidebook tells you to look at? Or do you wander down off-the-beaten-path kind of narrow streets that lead to who knows where? Do you try food that you can’t identify?

And when you look at that plaza in the middle of Venice, what do you see? Architecture, other travelers, locals, vendors, pigeons, restaurants…

There are SO many ways to tell this story in a plaza in Venice, Italy. The architecture, people, vendors…

What you see, how you see it, and how you interpret that into photos...that’s where the whole ‘trusting your creativity’ comes into play. Because it’s easier to just take photos of that building and move on. But to really experience it and explore the details and context and let yourself create photos that reflect your story?

Now that’s when your photos really start to become unique and reflect your style. If you’re thinking at this point “I don’t really have a style”. Well, you might not. But if you start to push yourself a bit out of your comfort zone, try some new things without fear of messing up (best to practice this when NOT spending lots of money on a big trip)...then your style will start to peek through. And then it will grow, and develop...and suddenly you’ll look at your photos and say “hey I have a style!”

So yes, photography can be a little complicated. But it’s also an incredible way to capture the world around you...the way YOU see it. And it gives you the chance to share that experience with other people - friends, family, strangers on the internet. And by sharing your experience...your story...you have the chance to inspire. And really...isn't that what art is all about?

**If you’d like a little help remembering those pesky camera settings…because let’s face it, they’re important - make sure to grab the free Camera Settings Cheat Sheet.

Why creating great photos is about more than just your camera

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