Weekly Blog Post 7

I am one of those people who enjoys picking up a digital camera and taking a picture or two. When I read threads on forums about photography, I am usually completely lost after the word “Canon.” In this brief essay, I will explain my interest in, knowledge of, and experience with photography.

I am interested in photography to the point that I wish I owned a digital camera. I enjoy being the “official photographer” for debate tournaments, family vacations, and road trips. Before the age of digital cameras, I always cherished a disposable camera my parents would give me for a class trip or a special occasion. I remember always saving the last shot or two in the film for the “perfect shot.” Most often, the “perfect shot” wound up being a blurry image taken from a car on the way home, but it was the intention that really mattered.

As I hinted at before, my knowledge with photography is at the same time adequate and limited. I do, however, have a decent understanding of the artistry behind it. I can appreciate how the pose, cropping, color, lighting, etc, affect the viewer’s perspective and the intended message of the photograph.

Despite my general knowledge of the messages and art of photography, I have almost no knowledge of the technical aspects of this particular art form. If someone were to ask me what kind of camera my family owns, I would answer something like, “Ummm…a digital one. I think it’s a Canon…” I have never seen or used Photoshop or equivalent program. I have no idea how to saturate color tones, change shutter speed, or even how to turn the flash on and off on some cameras.

In terms of experience, I once again have very little exposure to the art of photography. My brother is somewhat interested in photography, so he has asked me to pose for a few photoshoots. Other than that and a few other candid moments, my experience is mostly “point and shoot” photography for the purpose of remembering a moment. I have never been involved in photography as a fine art.

I both like photography and have little knowledge of it. While I have a basic appreciation and interest in it, that interest is not strong enough for me to become involved in photography beyond its everyday use: documenting for posterity.