The theme of my Call of the Muse project is one of exploring photography beyond our equipment - Creativity Beyond the Camera, and is designed to hep creative photographers focus on the essentials of an artistic life.
There wasn’t time during the shoot to wonder how to set my exposure mode, how to choose the right focus point or how to quickly ramp up the iso when the lighting changed. It really did need to be second nature. Back in the days of film it was much easier as there weren’t as many variables. Film did come with it’s own peculiarities though. Having to consistently nail the exposure without error, or the opportunity to review the image after shooting, was a biggie!
Do you know without having to think or look where to put your fingers to change the aperture, and which way to open up or stop down the lens? Take steps to master this until it becomes second nature. And then chip away at the other commonly used controls until you don’t even remember you’ve got a camera in your hands. Yes, it will eventually become virtually invisible, an extension of your thinking process.
The Technical Stuff
There’s so much information out there relating to the technical stuff of our craft that I really don’t want to add more noise to an already confusing topic. However I do see a need for this in the creative community, especially for those who are just setting out on the journey and need some succinct and salient guidance. With this in mind I’m going to create a set of articles on this website that will cover the basics without the fluff and bluster that often comes along for the rideThere wasn’t time during the shoot to wonder how to set my exposure mode, how to choose the right focus point or how to quickly ramp up the iso when the lighting changed. It really did need to be second nature. Back in the days of film it was much easier as there weren’t as many variables. Film did come with it’s own peculiarities though. Having to consistently nail the exposure without error, or the opportunity to review the image after shooting, was a biggie!
Muscle Memory
This doesn’t come overnight, and no amount of YouTube videos will gift it to you beyond pointing you in the right direction (maybe). Instinctively laying your fingers on the right buttons, scrolling to the correct menu without thinking and knowing which way to turn the focus and zoom rings will release you to connect ever more deeply with your subject. We aren’t born with this knowledge of course, it needs to be developed until these movements become a muscle memory, and the camera becomes a true extension of our very being rather than a clumsy box of tricks that pulls on our thoughts.Where to put your Fingers
You may want to add one or two more items onto this to suit your particular way of shooting such as the back button focus button or switching from centre spot to zone focusing but the secret is to keep it minimal. In fact it’s best to work with just one at a time and slowly build up this intimacy with your kit. Can you fluidly move between the zoom and the focus rings on your main lens? Do you instinctively know which way to turn them both to get where you want to be? If not then why not work with these first.Do you know without having to think or look where to put your fingers to change the aperture, and which way to open up or stop down the lens? Take steps to master this until it becomes second nature. And then chip away at the other commonly used controls until you don’t even remember you’ve got a camera in your hands. Yes, it will eventually become virtually invisible, an extension of your thinking process.