You know you love a good mystery, right? Well the team at The Pixelmermaiphys is back with another cracker-packed set of mysteries and capers, this time exploring the world of photography! This time around we’re breaking out our trusty camera and lenses, exploring the world of photography in all its weird and wonderful forms. From digital slinging to dabbling in occultism, these seven photographers share their thoughts on the meaning of life through their lens.
Photographers on a roll
The word ‘predict’ is used a lot in digital photography, but the word ‘photographer’ is a completely different animal. The photographer is the one who records the image. The photographer behind the lens is the visual artist. The photographer should be able to predict the outcome of the scene. They should be able to warn the viewer of danger. The photographer should have a unique style that can be used in an environment that forces them to inject their own unique points of view. The photographer should also be able to take great pictures, and be willing to take a lot of pictures. Some photographers are great with their technique, others are great with their shutter speed. Regardless of style or technique, the photographer is the key to a good photo shoot.
Darkroom photography
Darkroom photography is the practice of shooting underexposure images, or “don’t” photos. Many darkroom photographers simply don’t want to deal with overexposure or light sensor issues, so they shoot ‘don’t’ photos. In this type of photography, the photographer is trying to avoid any unwanted light coming from the subject, but is also trying to avoid any unwanted shadowing of the lens’s light sources. These are excellent for creating more moody, atmospheric photos that are more difficult to shoot with a flash.
Travel photos
Travel photos are another type of darkroom photography. These are the shots where the photographer is trying to capture a world she knows nothing about. Travel photos are usually about exploring particular areas, or visiting interesting places. They usually have a naturalistic feel, with no apparent objective. The photographer should be able to take a picture that lets the photographer explore the world around her, rather than being too busy photographing the scenery.
Something in the air
The color of an object is more important than who paints the canvas. The color of the canvas determines the look of the object painted on it. The more vibrant the color, the more interesting it will look in comparison to the dull, washed out colors that are usually painted on walls and other objects. The color of your wardrobe should reflect this, too. If you’re constantly worrying about how your clothes should look, or whether they should be washed, you’re probably not taking the best pictures.
The digital game-changer
The camera is the window to the world. The camera is the one tool that can open up new opportunities for your photography. The camera can take beautiful still images, or it can do everything. The camera can record video, track your movement, and let you zoom in and out, or even pan and tilt. With the advent of digital photography, the camera has become nothing more than a piece of equipment that is used to take pictures. If you’ve been shooting mostly in black and white, or black and color for a long time, you may be surprised at how much more vibrant and interesting digital photography can be. Digital cameras also come with tons of software that makes it easier than ever to create amazing images. It’s been a really great thing to see the rise of digital photography, and now it’s here to stay. Digital cameras are the future of photography, and there’s no chance of us ever doing a complete digital elimination!
Experimenting with exposure and processing
Exposure and brightness can have a massive impact on the character of a photo. If the sky is completely lit up, then that means there is almost no risk of over exposure. If there’s any shadowing at all, then that means there is almost no chance of under exposure. If you want fast and dirty, then bright light photography is for you. It’s just that simple.
A journey of self knowledge
Photographers are often attracted to places that promise a sense of serenity and tranquillity, with additional touches of romance. The opening shot of a picture is often the most important image of all. It’s the image that viewers will hopefully associate with the location. It’s the one that tells the story of the place, and what the photographer is trying to accomplish. In order to really get the most out of your photography, you need to make sure that you are capturing the viewer in the most crucial frame of your shot. This means looking for images that will capture the viewer looking either up at the camera, or into it. Look for images that will let the viewer feel a sense of peace and tranquillity, instead of reinforcing the image of danger and destruction.
Treasure trove of criticism
If you’ve been shooting black and white for a long time, you’re probably used to seeing gorgeous, colorful images. But there is one photographer that stands out from the crowd, and that’s photographer extraordinaire, Carl breath. Although he doesn’t specialize in color, Carl’s still a great example of someone who can capture both light and dark in a single image. The camera is the window to the world, and the photographer is trying to tell the viewer what they are looking at in the most impactful way possible. They need to capture an image that will have an impact on the viewer’s perception of the place, and their own.
Criticism
After you’ve captured an image, you’re probably going to want to share it with the world. That means it’s time to go back and correct any mistakes you may’ve made. You need to review your images, and make sure that they are in line with your style, and are representative of your photography. After that, you need to send them off with the confidence that you’ve done justice to the subject. You can’t be perfect, and you certainly can’t be one of those photographers who constantly try to out-photograph one another, or try to out-shout one another. If you’re constantly worrying about how your photos are doing, or whether they should be taken, then you’re probably not taking the best pictures.
