What is Photography? Photography is (derived from the Greek phot- for "light" and -graphos for "drawing") is the art, science, and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film, or electronically by means of an image sensor. ⁽^ Spencer, D A (1973). The Focal Dictionary of Photographic Technologies. Focal Press. p. 454. ISBN 240 50747 9) But is that all photography is?

Photography is an art, a science and a way to capture your memories of life events. Until the advent of the digital camera photography was not always as easy as it is today. With film you would shoot your photograph and either develop it yourself or take it to a lab to see your results. Now with the DSLR and other forms of digital photography you can see your photo in milliseconds after taking it. If it doesn’t turn out well, you can make your adjustments and take it again. Or you can shoot it now and fix it later in Photoshop.

Now that the DSLR is easier and less expensive to own, everyone is a photographer. Anyone can pick up one of these cameras, put it in the Program mode and start shooting. And that is ok form most, but not for all. This and the following posts is for those who want to know more, to learn to think for the camera and not have it think for you. A friend told me once while we were paintballing, “It’s not the gun and how fancy or fast it shoots but it is the person that operates it that makes it an effective weapon.”  This is much what Ansel Adams said about the camera ““The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!” That held true for cameras then and for today.

In the upcoming posts I will be discussing the parts of the camera, f stops, the three legs of exposure, and much more. These post are geared towards the beginners but for all of the experienced photographers, hang in there. I might write about something you hadn’t thought about in year that may change your perspective or turn on a light. Going back and revisiting skills that you have can be a good thing. 

Oh what does this photo have to do with the post? Nothing. I just thought it would look nice here. 

Keep you posted.