Photography is a paradox of technique and style and purpose. When we enter photography, I feel it is important to learn your skills from beginning to end (it used to mean in the old days loading your own film, processing the film, printing the negative and then displaying it for critique). Now, it is learning the cameras functions. Put your camera on manual and do tests to understand how your meter functions under different lighting situations. Play with all the bells and whistles on your camera to see if there are any options that could be used to improve your image results. Study composition and discover why good photographs attract attention. How did the photographer find the subject and use light and composition to make a quality image.
We have a tendency to get in a rut when we photograph and we end up playing it safe and setting the camera controls the same no matter what subject presents itself to us. One of things that I emphasize in my shooting is to be prepared but also be open to the opportunities that present themselves. Preparation is done before I get to my destination. This could be as close as my back yard and shooting frost close-ups on leaves or spider webs.
Preparation is knowing your lenses and camera controls and planning ahead, a starting point in your shooting. This starting point is just that a start. Next, it is to shoot a few frames and begin to get into your subject. Your mind begins to see new and unexpected details or compositions that look interesting. You begin to open up to your subject and let your subjects true nature, as you perceive it, reveal itself to you. I have never photographed a subject that didn't surprise me in some way. All subjects reveal something unexpected to the photographer that is paying attention. And that is the paradox I was talking about in the beginning. You prepare, you have your own style and then serendipity places you in a whole new relationship to your subject. You are no longer worrying about your exposures and shutter speeds because you are acting intuitively and on a deeper subconscious level making adjustments to fit your interpretation of your subject. You start in one direction and end up miles away in another more open purpose. Your purpose now is not to limit your exploration but to broaden it. You begin to let go of your dogmas and respond to your subject naturally and creatively.
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