Start with the basics

Many people are drawn to the arts because they disdain rules. Count me as a member of that group.

But an absence of rules does not guarantee happiness. In fact, it can often cause more trouble than you think.

Photography is an art form that relies on the balance between art and craft. That can be very bad news if you don’t understand the purpose of each component. Thankfully, the journey of trial and error along with introspection to figure out how to find that balance can be very productive and educational.

I think the best way to get started in photography is to first make a commitment to the craft. That is still daunting for many beginners.

The best advice that I can offer when learning the craft is to use geometry as a starting point. That will elicit a lot of groans from those seeking to shed the chains of conformity.  But using the cameras natural “frame” and graphically assembling the world into that frame is as good a starting point as any.

Even after decades of creation I still get stuck. When this happens, I go right to geometric framing and in no time things start happening.

About the author: I am Stephen Kennedy, an experienced photographer specializing in creating environmental on-location portraits and corporate photo libraries for blue chip companies.