The art of becoming a photographer is similar to the path of any artist; the camera is both the medium and the artistic tool for capturing inspirational images. Though anyone can take a pleasing snapshot, the true art of photography requires an artist’s training and specialized equipment. An in-depth knowledge of composition, contrast, color and the ability to capture a moment in time are necessary for the successful professional photographer.
Painting with Light
Influences from the world of fine art can include many mediums and styles of art; often photographers are drawn to the work of the old European masters who had an innate ability to capture light with paint. A skilled photographer can capture the same nuances of light - whether in a studio with artificial lighting or in the outdoors with assistance from the natural environment.
Patience for Nature’s Lighting
A successful landscape photographer will show unusual patience when waiting for lighting conditions to illuminate a landscape in a special, unique way that will translate to film. A deep understanding about angles of the sun will make a landscape photographer a master of “painting” with light.
Landscape Photography
An example of skilled landscape composition is the work of Sean O’Neal Photography. Landscape photographers have strong influences from the world of fine art and they capture the viewers to feel that they are actually in the photo. With careful composition and no adjustments or color corrections, these photographers rely on nature to provide photographs of beautiful and breath taking landscapes.
Appreciation of Nature
A successful landscape photographer will also have a strong appreciation for nature, and he or she will be willing to spend a great deal of time in nature to capture photographs that capture expression and emotions that will connect with the viewer. Nature photography can also require the ability to capture action such as leaves blowing in the wind. Inside a studio, a photographer must have the patience to deal with the small details that can have a profound impact on the resulting photographs.
The art of becoming a photographer is about creativity, but it is also about dedication to the craft and an understanding of light and artistic composition. It is the ability to capture beauty in a very particular moment in time. Experience, patience and skill will help the successful professional photographer achieve photographs that are also fine art.
Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her 3-year-old husky Snowball.