Through the Lens
- wanderingwonderbread
- Dec 20, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 1, 2020
I have always had a thing for photography. I was always carrying around disposable cameras (yes you heard me right, disposable) and cheap digital cameras. I loved the idea of incapsulating a moment in time forever. So when I was gifted the chance to use an old Canon Rebel XS I took it and never looked back. I finally had the tools I needed to start experimenting with photography more seriously. I didn’t know what the outcome would be but even if nothing came of it, I was having fun.
When you are looking at the world through a camera lens you see things differently. All the sudden leading lines, shapes and symmetry, S curves, and the rule of 3rds apply everywhere (even if you didn’t know the terms at the time). Being self-taught I am using my eye and instincts in shots. I have the eye for things but I am still learning the more technical side of things. Which honestly is a slow process for me learning on my own. I try reading books (I am an avid reader) but when it comes to learning I do much better hands on when someone is showing me and I can ask a bunch of questions. The immediate feedback is important. I tried taking a basics photography class at a local community college but with him trying to teach fifteen other students (all with different cameras) I wasn’t able to get that immediate feedback of why something did or didn’t work. What setting could I have tried differently? It was a good experience but I didn’t quite get everything I could have from the class. I learned some terminology but not really how to delve deeper into my camera’s settings.
I have been putting my work on FineArtAmerica. It was a really good stepping stone for me. It is still the way to see all of my collections in one place. I barely make any money on the sales because the site does all the shipping and product making (putting my work on tote bags, cell phone cases, mugs, etc) but I never expected to really sell anything to begin with. I have sold quite a few things and that has blown me away. I wasn’t sure what others would think about my work. It is one thing to hear from your family and a few friends that what you are doing is good, but how much of that is the obligatory niceness of family and friends? It is much different when random people are interested in your work and even buy some things. It confirms what others were saying but also boosts my morale. I now know I am on to something, I just have to keep working hard on it.
I am slowly working my way into the local arts/craft shows to get my things more out there. I like using these shows as a learning experience of what other people think/feel about what I am doing. It really is a great way to get immediate feedback from the public. They make comments and ask questions about my work as they flip through everything. One day I may even create my own website for my work and just sell matted prints and things. For now I am just trying to learn more and use the feedback I get from others to hone my skills.
A few examples of my photography
For Christmas my parents and brother surprised me with a new camera. They got me a Canon T7 bundle that came with a few new lenses. The Rebel XS was great but it lacked some functions the T7 has (more megapixels, higher ISO, and video capabilities to name a few). I am excited to start learning and getting familiar with my new camera and test the lenses. I never had a macro wide angle lens or a telephoto lens before so those will be fun. I did some attempts at macro shots with my basic 18-55mm lens on the Rebel XS, I made it work but I am excited to try out the actual macro lens. Luckily my old long lens (75-300mm) is still interchangeable with my new camera so I can still use that as well. I appreciate Canon for allowing lens swaps between camera models.
More examples of my photography
Work had been rather insane lately so I have not had a chance to play with my new gear, but I really look forward to getting back out in to the field and learning new things. Maybe over the holidays I can find some time. I will be traveling to New York for the first time. Probably won’t be able to go in to the city (I might freeze to death if I do 🥶). However I am sure I can find some fun new things to photograph while I explore.
If you would like to browse my work you can go here:
The painting looking ones are my original photographs I digitally altered to look like that. I don’t know how to use photoshop but I found a cool website that makes your photographs into painting like works of art. I have a lot of fun messing around on there and seeing what I can create from my pictures. Not everything looks good being altered, but sometimes I can create some cool things on there. What do you think of altering photographs to look like paintings?
Examples of some fun edits of my original photographs.
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything” Aron Siskind
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