The Importance of Photography

I sometimes lose focus of what photography is truly about and what 99% of the people on the planet think about when they are pushing that button on their camera...documenting a moment in time! Most are not thinking about lighting, shadows, the rule of thirds, aperture, iso, bokeh...they're just looking at something that is pleasing to them at that particular moment, and capturing it! Something that makes them feel happy, maybe feel sad, but for sure something that they want to look back on at a later time and bring back all those emotions that they were feeling on that particular second of that particular day.

In my quest to become a better photographer, I'm finding that I sometimes let the the story take the backseat to the technique...instead of just enjoying the act of documenting, I don't take the photo because of all the flaws I see...a messy background, harsh lighting, having to go above iso 800. Then later when I DO look at the photos I DID allow myself to take, I criticize them to the point of missing WHY I took them...the emotion of the moment being stomped out by my critical eye. What a stupid thing to do!!!

Now I'm not saying that I believe if you are trying to progress you shouldn't be trying your best to make every photo as good as can be. You absolutely should! I'm just saying that you still should take a picture even if conditions stink...every single day, every single time!!! We all are historians...don't miss the moment.

The above photo of my Grandma is a result of this new plan of mine. There was a million reasons not to take her picture that day...she wasn't feeling well, I want some of her in dramatic light, I was feeling lazy...but I finally just asked her if she felt like stepping outside for a few pictures, and with some helpful nudging from my mom and aunt, she finally came slowly walking out on to the back porch and let me snap away. I just had to ask and I was able to capture a little history that day...and didn't miss the moment.

Jeffrey