A thousand words in a click, who could imagine the longing in the spirit that holds the camera... before this splendorous moment is forever gone from this Mountain... Is there enough time_ sufficient light_ pray another exposure in this thing Oh Lord.
If you are the least bit serious about photography, I know you are no stranger to this automatic prayer from the inner most room of the man, that pleads directly to the Highest Court. And you will know the next verse_ ... Great Spirit give me speed, adjust the shutter as you would have it, and paint me the most beautiful sky.
One doesn't need a degree in photography to take good pictures, although it would definitely help. I know for sure, falling on your face may not be the best way to learn, but it sticks with you. All good photographs require one special quality, a good subject. If your frame doesn't evoke interest, you will have nothing to give. Good subjects are not always so recognizable to the novice. The art of seeing is natural to some souls, others have to work at it. But if you would so love the world, it will come.
Then there is the light.. Ah yes, the icing on the cake. If we weren't in the digital age, we would burn up some film learning to read the all important measure of light. The light is from where the magic comes, photography's beating heart, a true form of Religion that even the Holy books must agree with, lest they be untrue. It is the medium through which raw inspiration is conveyed. This quality of the photograph is indisputably wonderful. Fluent in its abilities to change at will. It appeals to the wounds and uncertainty of every heart, as a warm healing profoundness... in that, a High Degree of Beauty may just overrule all the troubles of mankind. By its undeniable powers of persuasion, its vast importance, those men who see The Light, are indescribably fortunate, sail on a part of the ocean, where few sail.
Shadows skip and dance across the mountain tops, swords of pink and golden light proclaim what ever they wish, the evening star appears in a deep blue sky, of which moments are captured forever. Who knows, maybe you've got one of those kick butt once in a life time images, and you definitely will get them, if by no other means, because you were there, and you took so many decent attempts that you could not help but get plumb lucky on one. Go for it cousin.
The good photographer is a die hard spirit with lots of hustle. The longer he goes and the harder he works, the better pictures he gets. He never gives in to the many difficulties that arise along the trip to the subject. Bad weather, sometimes unfavorable light requires that he wait for days, or cancel everything. Accept defeat and learn from it.
The digital age has long since overwhelmed photography in general. In a National Park scenic overlook, one might see 100 pocket digital cameras to every film camera, 100 35mm cameras to every medium format camera, and if you see a large format camera, your lucky. Its aggravated owner will be dodging questions from too many tourists who don't speak English so well.
The film camera still has the better image quality over digital, though the margin is shrinking. Due to the high price of new digital cameras for landscapes, photographers who appreciate image quality can enjoy their hobby through camera exchange vendors such as keh.com where reconditioned film and digital camera equipment is available for sale or trade by knowledgeable, reputable dealers inexpensively.
Keep in mind that the bigger the film size, the better the image quality. A 35mm film can be enlarged to 8 x 10, medium format film to 11 x 14, large format much larger. A film camera is a simple box that gathers light, no matter how many fancy buttons are on it, they have little to do with its basic function. One doesn't need to spend a fortune on hype. However "The Quality of The Ground Glass Lens " is very important, so study them.
The finest image quality in coffee table picture books such as Arizona Highways are usually exposures of 4 x 5 or larger film size, large format cameras. The detail in the farthest reaches of the frame, the depth of field, has been unmatched by digital technology, but brilliant minds are working on it.
A step smaller in film size is the medium format camera. It uses roll film one quarter the size of large format 4 x 5 sheet film. I've jammed 10 - 24 exposure rolls In tight blue jean pockets and walked for miles carrying a Mamiya 6 range finder Camera ( my favorite ) , that's as light as some 35mm cameras I have. The image quality of its shortest lens is very good.
Lastly but not leastly, the 35mm camera has been the work horse of most successful magazines. Its speed of operation and comfortable film size allows the photographer to take 5 times as many exposures as the same weight medium format camera. It's a game of odds where the sheer number of frames by a experienced photographer guarantees those images that commands the reader's attention, sells magazines.
Images are the purest form of communications. So practice seeing with your phone. Learn to frame. Take ten pics of an object an figure out why one is best.
A thought to remember, should you become frustrated with photographing man made things, turn to nature, go to your National Parks. Introduce your spirit to film and slide photography. So , OK bring that digital camera, it will help you learn. The combination of film and the Big country will vastly interest you.
