I spend a lot of time on the web. I subscribe to about 25 YouTube channels, and regularly check out 25 or so other pages—a couple of them daily. More than once I have encountered the idea that I probably should spend less time reading and sitting at my computer and go out and shoot. The implication here is that you can over-do study and I do not dispute that up to a point. Give me a break, I am both retired and an early-riser, which my bride says is an understatement, so I have quiet time that others may not. I have used, and will continue to use, this opportunity.
What I want to say today is how much I continue to benefit from the early morning time I spend in front of a computer screen. So, what have I learned and still learning?
- I don’t need to wonder, when I pick up my camera, if I’m going to get something wrong. People who post tutorials, reviews or forum comments, agree on little. Therefore, I am free to try something to see if it fits my needs.
- Watching good photographers talk about photography inspires me to take my camera out and do something I’ve not done before. (Sometimes it takes me way out of my comfort zone.) $29.95 was the best $29.95 I ever spent; it gave me a full month’s worth of unlimited video-watching on Lynda.com when I wanted to learn to use Lightroom.
- I now am never without the manuals for both of my cameras; I downloaded them in PDF format to my phone. Without the internet, I probably would never have learned about this.
- I have encountered some people on the web who have since become giants in my mind: Jay Maisel, Sam Abell, John Free, Karen Hutton, Mike Browne, Bill Fortney, Kalebra Kelby, and Joe McNally to just name a few. They inspire me. (Check out Kalebra Kelby, Scott’s wife, who only shoots with her phone.)
- There are no shortcuts! It is just very difficult to pick up a camera and overnight become a photographer; I need the help of others. (The same holds true for software.)
- I have yet to have a question about a camera or about a problem I am experiencing without finding an answer by simply using Google. No matter how obscure. No exceptions.
- My photographic skills have improved immensely.
What has been your experience with the web?
I know one professional photographer who refuses to look at the work of others. He says it clouds his personal vision.
On the other hand, I personally have learned so many new and creative techniques and concepts from studying the work of others.
It is my wish to never ‘copy’ others but use the work of others as a springboard – or as inspiration – to new-to-me techniques and ideas.
Then there’s the YouTube videos to learn PhotoShop and LightRoom skills. Oh my! Where would we be without Google and YouTube.
Thanks, Ed. Another great blog post!
Thanks for sharing Ed! I look forward to your future musings.
Ed – my head must have been in the proverbial basket and I have only now discovered your blog. This first one is a definite winner – and I am anxious to get to the others you have done subsequently. WOW. Keep it up – that is a challenge!!
Dick Dougall
I love watching tutorials. I think it’s important to take in new techniques and incorporate the ones that work for your style.
I also love seeing the work of current and past photographers. I think seeing really good work inspires me to shoot more.
Watching travel videos that help me plan out my next getaway. There is so much information out there to help broaden our skills.