new hobby

Richie and I are starting out with this new hobby. Recently we bought a Nikon D40 DSLR (after much of my prodding, really). Actually it is really my goal to capture great photos of my family since I’m into scrap booking. That’s why I wanted so badly to have a good camera. What I didn’t realize is that photography is equally a demanding hobby as scrap booking! Both needs much of your time and devotion to learn the ropes before you can be satisfied with the results of your efforts. So in order to nurture my yet-to-be-discovered talent in photography, I have started my quest by reading photography books and articles. So far, here’s what I learned:

1. Know your gear. Read the manual of your camera. Unless you do, you won’t be able to maximize the great potentials of your gear. Your camera should be your best bud so you have to be familiar with all its settings, modes, etc, before you can take that perfect shot. I have read my manual a couple of times and that perfect shot is still elusive. I am not yet satisfied with my photos although I am happy to be able to manipulate my gear in bringing out how I wanted my subject to be. Which leads me to point # 2.

2. Compose your subject. Photos are like stories, it tells you something. And in almost all cases, the story depends on the person behind the lens. As they say, “It’s in the Indian, not the pana.” No matter how great or advanced your camera is, if you don’t know how to use it and don’t have an eye for detail, it won’t work. I have a tendency to be “shutter-happy” at times that’s why most of my photos are not clutter-free. I always remind myself a dozen times over that just like in writing, I always have to compose my pictures before pressing that shutter. More often I just press that shutter unmindful of the background or the condition just to capture my son’s moments. Sadly most of the photos are not so good or sometimes, there's this perfect moment for a great photograph and by the time I got the camera, the moment's gone. Maybe i just have to wait for Euan to get a little older so it would be easy for him to pose for the camera.

3. Rule of thirds. This is also related to point #2 and is a great help in composing your subject. It's like putting your subject in an imaginary matrix. It somewhat leads the eye to your subject thus creating a strong focal point of your photo.

So far, those are the things that i remembered and I still have a lot of learning to do. I have tons of reading materials and still have to practice (and experiment) on most of my shots. But one of the things that i like about this hobby is that it makes me appreciate the things around me. Now I am always on the lookout for that beautiful sunset, the greenest grasses, the flowers in bloom, or even the ants at work! kahit nga barbed wire pwede! basta anything that catches my attention :) Hirap pala maging photographer... It really takes great skill and sensitivity to be one, and I wanted to give it a shot!

for more sample photos click here.