“It is said that photographers view life differently. Everything from the businessman striding down the sidewalk to succulent fruit at a farmer’s market to scuffed shoes on the doormat becomes a potential subject in our minds. We can hardly contain ourselves when dusk sets a child’s halo of curls aglow, and we love nothing more than an empty room filled with sunshine, the way shadows dance across our kitchen walls as daylight approaches, or the drama of tall trees enrobed in fog. We view rundown structures as feasts of textures and see evening’s rush hour as an irresistible collection of lines, shapes, and colors. This book intends to help foster this way of seeing: to make knowledge and instruction accessible, to provide the motivation to advance, to help you illustrate your world powerfully, and–above all–to empower you to embrace a passion as creator of beauty, keeper of memories, and teller of stories.” ~Sarah Wilkerson, in Capture the Moment
The above quote is a perfect description of how I’ve lived my whole life: seeing life differently. Seeing something beautiful and longing to capture that beauty somehow.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved photography. We have a picture of me at 4 years old, holding a handful of Polaroid prints. My husband said it’s a perfect portrait of me, illustrating my lifelong obsession with photography.
In high school I took a commercial photography class. My favorite class ever. The instructor took the time to call my mom and tell her that I had “a good eye.” He said anyone can learn the technical aspects of photography, but not everyone has a good eye for what makes beautiful art and a good photo. He wanted to make sure I continued to develop my skills and move forward with a career in photography.
I went on to take a college-level photography class, and I enjoyed learning my way around the darkroom and developing my own prints (that was way back before digital photography entered the scene!).
But even with my “good eye,” I’m still shooting in auto mode. Somehow I forgot all that I learned in school. Somehow in all the busyness of wifehood and motherhood and just doing life, making the time to learn my camera hasn’t been a priority.
When I saw this book, I knew I wanted it. It came in the mail this week, and I’ve loved looking through the beautiful photos. But this is more than a book of photography inspiration, though it is that. It’s also a helpful reference book packed with information, creativity exercises, and assignments.
In a word: love.
Go here to check it out.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes from Blogging for Books.
Don't be discouraged! You are capturing those memorable moments. When you look back on the pictures you have taken – you'll be glad you took them – on ANY setting!! 🙂
Oh, yes, I'm so glad I took them even though they're not all the best photography. Some of my favorites are the ones I take with my little point-and-shoot camera! Thanks for the encouragement, Carol! ♥