Investing in my photographic passion
(click on images to view them full size)
oh no! Is this another gear review blog post?
Early morning photography at Frank Lake Marsh. (EXIF data f5.6, 112mm, 1/500s, ISO800). (photo courtesy of K. McIntyre)
Short answer - no! Despite my continuing obsession with backpacks (I still haven’t managed to sell any - see my Got Gas post) I am not one for accumulating gear or buying the latest and greatest gadgets. I much prefer to get familiar with gear until it becomes more of an extension of me rather than keep changing things up and having to relearn functions and buttons. I’m definitely more about seeing gear as tools rather than the focus of my hobby. Photography is the focus and expressing how I feel and see the world.
I tend to use the tools that I have until I find there is something that I’d like to be able to do that is blocked by lack of a feature or the way my current tool works doesn’t fit with my workflow. Once I identify a gap I will monitor how frequently this comes up and prevents me from capturing an image I’d like or the way that I’d like. This helps me to understand if bridging the gap is a need or an occasional nice to have - which then feeds into whether I should look at a new piece of gear or upgrade a current piece. It’s interesting to note that I often find that I figure out ways of bridging the gap with existing gear when I don’t rush out and purchase the new gear. (Trust me it has taken a while to get here and I’ve done a lot of impulse purchases that haven’t worked out well.)
How have I continued to progress in my photography?
Since I started getting interested in photography, I have felt it is important to invest in my education - both technically and creatively, although initially it was much more technically focused. This approach has led me to purchase online courses and How To Books which has been a great way to allow me to learn at my own pace and go back and revisit specific concepts as needed.
My first technical course was Auto to Awesome through Live Snap Love which I would highly recommend for those who like a well paced, clear and step by step instruction approach. Audrey has a great way of teaching with lots of practical advice and practice exercises. I learned my foundation from her and I’ve continued to learn from her through editing and compositional/light courses.
I have also taken A Year With My Camera which is a free year long course (with weekly lessons). I found that this course really built on my foundation and helped me to explore even more creatively. There is also a very supportive group through the app with ongoing challenges and support. I have met some really amazing photographers through this group and even travelled to spend time with them.
Mountain bluebird on a post - technically a good bird portrait, but lacking any emotional connection or depth - (BOAS - bird on a stick or post in this case - not very inspiring). (EXIF f6.3, 800mm, 1/320s, ISO80, -1EV)
I then wanted to delve into more creative expression through my photography as I felt that while I could take technically proficient images - there was something missing - they felt a bit disconnected or flat to me.
This led me to David DuChemin - I have been a big fan of his books and courses as they really speak to the creative side of photography and he really pushes me to explore and play and experiment. Something that I’m not always that eager to jump into, but once I do - there is always something special that comes about. I highly recommend all of his books and he also has a regular newsletter that is often very thought provoking.
Courses are good….however
While I’ve certainly enjoyed the journey of learning through books and courses I must admit that I made a significant leap forward in my learning process when I started to do photography focused trips, workshops and artist retreats. Having time dedicated to practicing some aspect of photography and being able to interact with likeminded creatives really helped me to move forward in a creative way rather than just getting more technically proficient.
ICM (intentional camera movement) image of the Kingsbrae Gardens. (EXIF data F13, 1.6s, 68mm, ISO64 wth 3 stop ND filter).
That is not to say that having the technical skills is not important - it is! Without that muscle memory that comes from practicing technical skills it is not possible to lose myself in the creative process. I become too distracted and constrained by trying to figure out buttons and functions - with the inevitable result of a lost moment.
I have made two trips to Iceland with a focus on photography and while each experience was very unique and the photography vastly different (just head to the home page and click on the search button and type in Iceland to read other blog posts about these trips), I learned so much from spending the time in a location I have come to love. The soft light and stunning landscape features as well as the diverse wildlife and birds makes this a destination I would love to return to again.
Epic early morning light at Jökulsárlón (or Glacier Lagoon) in December 2022. (EXIF data f8, 2.5s, 18mm, ISO250)
Vestrahorn Iceland in April 2024. (EXIF data f10, 1/125s,48mm, ISO100)
A lion hiding in the grass stalking zebras (Kory’s image) (EXIF data f7.1, 1/2500s,500mm,ISO500, -1EV)
In addition to Iceland, I travelled to Kenya with my husband Kory for 3 weeks and while photography was a main focus we found that our experience included so much more than amazing images.
We really connected with our photographic guide who painstakingly coached Kory on how to move away from auto mode on his camera. He took some spectacular images as he has a very creative eye.
It was very special to be able to share the experience and also geek out a little bit as we discussed exposure compensation and aperture settings. I don’t think I’ll ever forget his way of remembering the exposure triangle where ISO became a short form of “I so sensitive”.
Panning image of a wild dog (Pam’s image). (EXIF data f10,1/30s,20mm, ISO450)
I was able to spend time playing with more creative techniques such as panning. We spent an afternoon with the wild dogs and after hours of napping in the heat of the day they suddenly got up and started running around and playfully chasing and nipping at each other as they prepared for the evening hunt.
I tried to capture the excited energy of the scene by focusing on one dog as he bolted across the clearing.
I used a technique called panning which is where you focus on your subject and then try and stay focused on it while you both move at the same speed. The background becomes blurred and it gives more of a sense of motion.
It’s tricky and doesn’t always work out the way I expect, however I really liked being able to experiment and play.
Sunset image in one of the sheltered bays we anchored in. (EXIF data f6.3,1/125s,140mm, ISO720)
We also travelled to the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary last year and I found that being able to capture creative images really enhanced my experience. I think that I was more present and able to appreciate the wildlife and landscapes because of my focus on really seeing the light and subtle changes in the landscape.
I’m not sure that I will approach travel quite the same way whether I have a camera with me or not. The ability to see scenes in terms of colour pallets and lines and shapes as well as the scene itself really enhances the experience for me.
Photography Retreat
I expanded my photography travel from workshops and vacation travel to an artists’ photography retreat in New Brunswick last July. I was quite nervous about attending as I had never been to a “retreat” and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I shouldn’t have worried because it turned out to be an experience that has changed the direction of my photography in a very positive way.
Finding the contrasts in Kingsbrae Gardens. (EXIF data f7.1,1/80s, 120mm, ISO2000)
While there was some presentations the retreat was very relaxed and less structured than a workshop and there was plenty of time and opportunity for photography. What really shifted things for me was spending time with other photographers in open discussion and presenting our work to each other for feedback. It really helped me to see my photography in a different light and in fact has helped to shape a new direction for my creative pursuit.
ICM image of the gardens at Kingsbrae. (EXIF data f20, 2.5s, 120mm,ISO64,3 stop ND filte)
The open discussion and having a goal of producing material from the workshop to present in an “exhibit” style wrap up event helped to focus my activities around developing a cohesive bodies of work rather than creating a group of random images. I found that my garden images were bold and vibrantly colourful with dramatic exposures to capture my feelings of awe from the beauty of the surroundings. Then there was a series of very soft pastel coloured ICM (intentional camera movement) images that captured more of the feeling of movement and art that I experienced.
I found this experience so enriching and the company of fellow artists so inspiring that four of us are getting together again this autumn to photograph the vibrant fall colours of eastern Quebec. We’re setting up our own artist retreat and I’m excited to spend time with such talented and fun people. Stay tuned as I’m sure there will be a few blog posts from this event.
What’s next?
One of the many pleasures that I have found as I’ve explored photography is relishing the work of other photographers either through exhibitions or reviewing books. I enjoy studying their compositions, approach and style to see what I enjoy and gravitate towards. There is much inspiration to be gained from this and it often opens new thoughts and ideas in my own work.
I actually recall someone saying that they don’t look at anyone else’s work as they don’t want to be influenced or risk copying someone else’s images. I believe that Sean Tucker explained it best when he spoke of how there is nothing original anymore, but it is through studying others that we can spark thoughts of how we can express what we see through an image. While it’s true that it’s all been done before, I think that what I try to do now is create something that represents the way I see and feel about the things I photograph.
I feel that I have only started to scratch the surface of expressing myself through photography and that is an exciting idea for me.
I would love to hear your thoughts about a hobby or passion that you have either in the comments below or by contacting me directly by clicking on the Connect With Me button.
Springtime view of the Rocky Mountains from my mountain bluebird nest box monitoring run. (EXIF data f6.3, 11250s,40mm ISO220)
I hope you’ll come back soon, share a cuppa, relax and enjoy more of my musings.
