One of the things I love best about living here is the way light plays across the landscape, caught in the woods, reflected by water, glimmering through waves. I almost never capture the image I want in a photo. I’d like to up my success rate to, say, one in 100.
As regular readers know, I am very fond of visiting Views Infinitum, the excellent photography blog by Scott Thomas. I find it appropriate that his URL is http://stphoto.wordpress.com, which is one of the reasons I think of him as St. Photo. The other is that he is patient and helpful to duffers like myself, and welcomes all comers to visit and comment and generally display their varying levels of knowledge and, um, ignorance. That last part would be me. As a photographer, I’m a pretty decent writer. I digress.
Scott has issued another of his periodic assignments, and this one I must take to heart. It begins, One of the first decisions a photographer makes before he takes a photograph is what exposure to use. OK, this is gonna be good. I need some help in this area. He goes on, There is no wrong answer . . . Oh bliss! Oh joy! But wait, wait–he continues . . . as long as the photo is not over or underexposed.
OK, that is definitely one of my weaknesses. I’m gonna work on it. Scott does not leave me to my own devices, no indeed. He provides helpful links. He provides helpful advice. You can read all about it at Assignment 7: Creative exposure. And you, too, can participate. The deadline is midnight on May 26. As always, you may post your entries on Flickr, on your own blog, or even here if you like. Send me an email and I will cobble up a post for you.
As for me, I am going to experiment. I am going to learn. I am going to post my best efforts here for anyone who needs a good chuckle. I classified this post under “Artists of Antrim” because for once I am going to aspire to photographic artistry. I’m pretty sure I can find something around here to expose in a creative fashion. Look out world, Gerry’s on a tear.
Torch Lake Views 
P.j. grath
May 12, 2010
So, Gerry, is my fiddlehead photo today (on A Shot in the Light) overexposed, do you think? The thing is, I liked that blinding white effect. How about if I throw caution to the winds and consider it an entry? I’ll probably learn something from Scott’s response.
Gerry
May 12, 2010
It’s a lovely photo. By all means enter – send Scott a link.
Reggie
May 12, 2010
I feel the same, Gerry. I used to shoot (hush, don’t tell anyone!) on ‘Auto’ mode with my digicam, because I didn’t know any better. Then I attended a short digital photography course, and I used the ‘P’ mode for the first time – suddenly, all kinds of settings were available to me!
At first, ‘M’ for completely MANUAL MODE – OH HELP! Aperture? Shutter speed? Exposure? Eeek! – was too scary… um… it still is. I STILL do a ‘hit and miss’ with my photos, though I feel a bit more confident about experimenting. But exactly WHY some shots work, and others do not, still flummoxes me.
So I shall pop on over to St Photo’s blog to check out his assignment. You’re inspirational! 🙂
Gerry
May 12, 2010
I think you’ll enjoy the experience, Reggie. My problem is that I want to capture that odd corner of the Township right now, while I’m on my rounds, two dogs in tow, late for an appointment . . . but during the next two weeks, I will look for opportunities to think about a shot and experiment with it. We shall see how it goes.
P.j. grath
May 12, 2010
Or, maybe not. I looked at Scott’s blog and figure it would make sense if I were still shooting 35mm, but I have not yet mastered the intricacies of manual settings on my digital camera, as they are not changed “manually,” using visible, movable parts, but by selecting options “in the software.” That phrase, “It’s all in the software,” kind of drives me nuts. But thanks for the interesting site link, anyway.
Gerry
May 12, 2010
Ah, but here’s the thing. What Scott has always encouraged–and this is part of why I think of him as St. Photo–is that people experiment and learn within the parameters of the equipment we have and the experience we bring to it. You don’t have to master all of it. Try one new thing with your digital camera and see what you think of the effect. Try it in different contexts. See what it offers. Play!
Karma
May 12, 2010
I feel like I’m in the same boat with you, Gerry. I will also muddle through this assignment, and hopefully learn something in the process.
Gerry
May 12, 2010
If we’re in the same boat, Karma, I think I must be in steerage while you’re on the crew! The deeply satisfying part of doing these assignments is that all of us bring something special to them, even if it’s just a way of looking at the world, through the lens or without it. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Heck, I’m looking forward to seeing what I come up with. The Cowboy is pretty excited about the whole thing, as he’s sure his curly white fur will finally show to best advantage. Miss Sadie is thinking, always a warning sign in a terrier.
Karma
May 13, 2010
You are too kind, Gerry! 🙂
It is funny how we can tell what the animals in our lives may be plotting! LOL. I’ve got a golden non-retriever (she doesn’t fetch!) and a collie with an extremely comical face – he’s very clever and will probably scheme to be part of this assignment in some way! 😉
Gerry
May 13, 2010
That will make your entries compelling viewing at the Writing Studio and Bait Shop!
Scott Thomas Photography
May 13, 2010
Well, Gerry, you are the first to put a St before my name. 🙂
To PJ…I never mentioned one had to use manual settings. I use Program, Shutter and Aperture settings for most of my photos. I do use Manual sometimes but very rarely. If you have a Point & Shoot type of camera, read up on the kinds of Scenes it has and what each does. Most of them were designed to give a creative spin. It is knowing when to use a Scene setting for what you are envisioning…that is a creative exposure.
Gerry
May 13, 2010
And, um, never underestimate the value of accidental creative genius . . .
Kathy
May 13, 2010
I’ve been messing with the different setting on my point ‘n shoot for a couple months now and loving to see the different ways pictures turn out. I like that Scott includes all of us beginners and intermediates along with the pros. Have been thinking about his assignment for the past couple of days!
Gerry
May 13, 2010
It is interesting to play with the settings. Now I need to figure out how to get to a setting fast before the opportunity disappears. And, um, how to remember to re-set, eh Scott? Heh heh.
Cindy Lou
May 14, 2010
You are all waaaaay ahead of me – which is a great, good thing as I get to tag along on your journies and see all the wondermous photos you capture.
I know the feeling, Gerry, of not being able to get that picture that shows what I’m truly seeing – the softly brilliant spring green has been eluding me!?
Gerry
May 14, 2010
Sooooo . . . are you going to experiment and see what you come up with? I know some bloggers who are always looking for someone to paint the fence!
Cindy Lou
May 14, 2010
Forgot to tell you that your ‘sentinel trees’ are a fabulous photo! Looks like a fairy tale path….
Gerry
May 14, 2010
Thank you Cindy Lou.