Photography: Trying to improve my skills

    1/320 sec @ f / 6.3, 200mm

I’ve been spending time in an effort to improve my photography skills.  Through a natural elimination process I’ve focused on two areas which would at first glance seem dynamically opposite directions to expend energy upon.  They are in fact complimentary.

1/180 sec @ f / 5.3, 78mm            1/125 sec @ f / 4.0, 26mm

Our treasure lies in the beehive of our knowledge. We are perpetually on the way thither, being by nature winged insects and honey gatherers of the mind.
– Friedrich Nietzsche

First, technically: I’m focusing on skills and tools.  I’m now on a much more intimate level with my Nikon D200 and have been actively testing all the options and features.  I’m trying to open up my thinking to considering how the features could be used in ways I perhaps wouldn’t have thought of previously.  I’m also going back to the basic and clarifying my understanding of the principles of photography.  I’m beginning to realize gains from becoming technically more knowledgeable.

      1/640 sec @ f / 5.3, 78mm                          1/60 sec @ f / 6.3, 250mm

It is essential to an architect (or photographer) to know how to see: I mean to see in such a way that the vision is not overpowered by rational analysis.
– Luis Barragan

Second, mentally:  I’ve been working at stripping away preconceived screens and filters to allow things to be seen as if for the first time.  This has taken some mental practice.  I’m training myself to open my minds eye and observe freshly all the components of the composition before me, not just the quick sum of the whole that my mind produces day-to-day.  I believe this is what is often referred to as the photographer’s or artist’s eye.

Best Friend, Foster – 1/100 sec @ f / 4.5, 35mm

The results I’m hoping from these efforts…Seeing as clearly as possible and capturing what is seen as well as it can be.

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