I bought my first “fancy” camera (DSLR or Mirrorless) in 2014. It was a Canon T4i with interchangeable lenses. I knew nothing about photography or how cameras worked, but I challenged myself to learn. Many people will buy a DSLR camera leave the settings on auto and never buy a second lens. I refused to do that. My goal was to move beyond taking snapshots with a phone/camera and into making art through photos. Immediately after opening the box, I switched the camera to manual mode and forced myself to really understand what each of the manually adjustable camera settings did.
As you might imagine, my first couple hundred pictures were very hit or miss. Some were terrific, but often a picture was too bright or too dim, the next blurry, and the next grainy, but I refused to give up and move the camera to automatic mode. I watched dozens of YouTube videos and studied pictures that made me stop to admire them. I learned about aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. I learned about compositional techniques like leading lines, symmetry, and framing to add depth and interest to my shots. I’ve learned to appreciate the small things, the candid moments, and not overlook beauty in the ordinary. Over time I developed the skills to make photos art and not just take a snapshot.
I’ve learned how to take portraits, landscapes, and wildlife photos. I’ve learned sport, concert, automotive, and product photography. Each of the different types offering unique challenges and opportunities to learn new skills and techniques. Learning photography has been an ultra rewarding journey that enhanced my ability to capture and appreciate the world around me and share my own unique perspective.
Outside TG 
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