I don't know when it happened. It wasn't like a BAM moment, or like a lightning strike or anything like that... it must've been a slow creep (kinda like weight gain... HA!). But somewhere along the way, I stopped being a "newbie" and started to really understand the technicalities of what I'm doing... with my camera, photoshop and my business in general.
It started simply enough. Still playing with the idea of holding workshops the help the average person capture better everyday images in a creative way, I gave a "test" workshop to a couple of people several months ago. To say I was nervous is an understatement. I know I have the creative eye, but still didn't feel strong with the technical side of things... from the lingo to the settings, I was afraid I would stumble along the way. But it was awesome! They were very appreciative of the information I did impart... which gave both of them several a-ha moments of their own. And I surprised myself with the depth of knowledge that I did possess... almost like a "hey, where did THAT come from?" kind of day.
And as I shoot more and more, my style is becoming apparent. I am definitely learning more of the technical aspects of it all... to the point where now that I know the rules, I am more confident when I break them and know the reason WHY.
Yesterday was a nice surprise. At the OC Photog Shootout (Rockabilly theme), I totally stepped up and held my own against the more seasoned photogs. I spoke up, I directed, and I didn't back down when one of them tried to change what I had in mind for a setup. In short, I rocked it hardcore.
And in one of the setups, the leader asked who the seasoned ones were, and who the novices were. I raised my hands as a novice... I'm not afraid to admit it. After all, I'm there to learn, not to show off what I already know. And so, the leader approached me to try and help out... but then he found out I was shooting RAW. And Kelvin. And in Manual. And he laughed and told me I wasn't a novice. I guess I just still see myself that way... I know there is a LOT to learn, and I know that I don't know it all yet. And never will. But I feel like there's always something new to learn, and I don't have years and years and years of experience under my belt like some others do. And I did pick up a few new things that day... being open to learning new things actually helped me that day... I picked the brain of a few of the different leaders and gained a few new awesome nuggets of knowledge. Totally worth it. And once I came out of my shell a bit more, I was actually praised by a few others for my eye and my skill with working with the models.
I still find it incredible how so many of us can stand side by side and see totally different things.
But there I was... crouching and bending and twisting and finding different things that the other "seasoned" photographers hadn't picked up on yet. I pointed out an archway to use (that ended up being used by the leader as a model's location for the rest of the day). I bent down and looked up to catch a bit of glare off a windshield... pointed it out to the others and had them all try to capture the same shot I just did. I went head to head with a "seasoned" photographer to make sure I had the model stand where and how I wanted (no, I don't WANT her directly under the greenery... even though it would frame her face, I'm tired of battling the green cast that follows)... and I GOT my shot. : ) And I was praised for chatting up the model when everyone else during the rest of the day had been silent. I got in close, I got friendly. I got my shots and I didn't have to step on any toes to do so.
Whew. Kinda fabulous.
And today, facing my newest challenge... I am DETERMINED to not be afraid of the FLASH any longer. By the time the end of the year rolls around, I will have a working knowledge of the basics so I don't cringe any longer. So I was checking out a recommended book online, and reading the reviews... I hesitated when I read a comment that stated it was "not for novices"... stating that the technical jargon could prevent the novice from using the book effectively. The sample sentence of technical stuff: "drag the shutter speed to let in a bit more ambient light."
That's it? Huh. I know exactly what that means.
I guess I'm not as novice as I thought. ; )
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