A Once in a lifetime Photographic Moment
If you have been lucky enough to be in certain parts of the United States, nature has put on a heck of a show this year. It's not only a once-in-a-lifetime moment, for many photographers they are considered bucket list photographs.
I unprepared, I was unpracticed and during both times, I had issues. I won’t go into the problems because they are my own demons, but what I’ve taken away from these two event. The eclipse and the Aurora Borealis; photography requires maintaining practice. Photography requires maintaining that skill to understand how to use it. It doesn’t help that 2 years ago I sold all of my other gear and switched to Sony. While I love Sony, the gear is more involved and has a greater menu. I haven’t used it on a daily basis as I once did. My best improvement hack — use it daily. Continually gain the knowledge on settings and how to quickly make adjustments based on photographic situations. I’ve mentally promised myself to head out at minimum 2x a month to take on a photographic challenge.
I already know what my first is going to be. Follow me on Instagram to watch that journey.
I was once a fantastic photographer.
I can honestly say, I am no longer that same photographer.
I’m not saying I do not know how to capture a photograph, or tell a story and I know I am very good at being a photographer. However, I no longer have the knowledge or understanding of the gear I once had.
Working for the largest camera company in Los Angeles and one of the largest camera manufacturers in the world, I can say my knowledge on how to use a camera and cameras from multiple manufacturers was vast. It still is for the most part. If you give me a camera I am unfamiliar with I will figure out how it works and how to take photographs with it.
I however feel like my knowledge working in the field of photography has shifted.
A good example of this.
When I was a photojournalist, we covered all local sports; Basketball, Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Pro, High School, and College. Each sport and each level of sport requires covering the action differently.
When a specific season begins, most of the time, it feels like you are learning to use the camera again for the first time. It’s not easy at first but as you continue you get better. These beginning-of-the-season photographs were not photographs you’d write home about or would submit to any competitions.
As the season went on, however, the skill to cover that particular sport improved. I would begin to understand the movement of the players, angles would improve, reaction times improve, seeing the entire image, not just the action. Learning when I need to press the shutter to stop the action at just that right moment.
Every single sports photographer understands this feeling and concept.
This same theory can be put into every other aspect of life. Nothing is just understood. It takes time, practice, and continued maintenance.
I am 100% unpracticed in the skill of capturing night sky photography.
Did I get some photographs? Yes.
Am I happy? Yes.
Can I do better? Heck Yes.
Just need to practice.
