Photography and Wordpress, CSS, PHP, Photoshop and Dreamweaver Tutorials by Chase Adams » leica

Digital photography is killing me.

chase_adams — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:16:08 +0000

I have a confession: Digital photography is killing me.

I am torn between appreciation for the format and the incredible boom of people who are beginning to make their way into “professional photography”. I can’t say that I remember what it was like to be a professional photographer, because my experience as a professional before digital was confined to photoshop manipulation & level adjustments for Mylinda Knittel, owner/operator of Spring Street Studios.

Before that, however, I was what I would consider a good photographer. As a teenager I used a camera that was completely manual with exception of a light meter and I had a solid grasp on composition. It was hard to take photographs worthy of people’s wall. Now it seems that anyone can take a good photograph by simply pointing the lens in the right direction, and the camera does the rest.

Honestly, when I think hard about it, I really loath the idea that any Joe off the street can go lay down $500 and have the ability to take photographs for profit, when they don’t even know what “shutter speed”, “aperture”, or ISO mean.

Am I the only one who feels this way? Is it right to feel this way?

The Leica Project

chase_adams — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:35:29 +0000

I love photographs. They’re the only way I can consistently express myself to others. I can convey the beauty I see in life and it’s supporting cast simply by being in the right place at the right time. I get excited adjusting the aperture and shutter speed to get the right exposure, color & focus necessary to make the photograph uniquely my own.

Recently someone very close to me told me, “anyone can take good photographs.” I didn’t know how to respond. It was the one thing I always believed was a skill only practiced well by someone with technique and an eye for composition.

Although months have passed since that conversation, the statement has burned this question into my mind: Do I REALLY have a gift or is it something anyone can just “do”? Do I even have the gift?

I’ve decided to put down my fancy camera for a month. No bells, no whistles…Just my iPhone and an old Leica 35mm film camera. The Leica was a gift from my grandfather. He gave me an old photograph of him taken when he was my age that was taken with the very camera. I want to stretch myself and see if I have what it takes. I’ll put up a new roll every week, and see what I’m really made of.

Note: I am TRULY grateful FOR & TO the person who told me that.