WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN UPCOMING PHOTOGRAPHER

Before I knew I had it in me, it took a whole internship with FilmAid International. A whole 7 months, thanks to our University’s delay and uncertainty in opening dates. I however realized that having that camera, physically given to you, if you lack an understanding of it-you will feel petrified. At the time, in my hands was a Canon Mark II, 5D.Firstly it was heavy and secondly, I did not know a thing about it. Then it came; a piece of advice that has helped me to date.

Wait for it…

‘George go on locate the power button, switch the camera on and click away!’

Absurd! That’s what you are thinking, right? Honestly, I thought so, too. However I will repeat these to you now and any other time of day, as odd as you think it is, just do it. ‘How can I just click away, yet I know nothing?’ The answer is simple; you are in a learning process. And it takes mistakes, for us to learn, right? I did, and am glad for having switched the camera on and clicked away.

If you are afraid of putting it all in and going for it, regardless of how you are going to experiment with the settings, tell yourself it’s okay to experiment. Play around with the settings: Apertures, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, exposure…zoom.

In addition to the first piece of advice, I will add three tenets that have helped me in taking the photos I did then and today. Ready?

They are; light, subject and the camera. With this you are like the Kenyan Defence Forces ready to storm into enemy territory and knock them dead. The images of course for our case, ready to get that almost perfect photo.

Photography is drawing using light. It is upon this fundamental basis that we must understand light. Let us firstly appreciate that, our only natural source of light on earth is the sun. You should also know that we have artificial light which come from flash lights mounted on the camera or inbuilt, and other lighting accessories that come along with them.

Let this light, illuminate your subject. For natural light, it’s advisable to take photographs during dawn and dusk-just when the sun is setting. The rays are usually softer, leading to a wonderful photo. In between morning hours and sunset, it is possible to take photos, but you really have to adjust your settings to get a picturesque photo.

For artificial light, have your camera setting-white balance, in sync with the light source.

The second cardinal is the subject. We all dream of taking that perfect image that could win an award someday right? But what will it be? This is for you to think.

Maybe to put it out there for you, it could be your  pet, buildings, people, landscape, products…but it’s prudent that before embarking on a photo-shoot, have a subject in mind. Let it be something of interest to you. Mostly people revolve around; people, landscapes, animals. You might decide on cars, roads, sculptures and so on. My favorite is the sunrise and sunset. Very romantic. Pick a subject that you love.

Lastly, it’s the camera. They vary, all the way from point-and-shoot to professional ones; like the one I just mentioned earlier - Canon Mark II 5D. Understanding your camera gives you an upper hand. Even if it’s new to you, switch it on and play around with the settings. Do not be afraid, unless you have intentions of ramming it on a tree. If not, try it out.

Things to watch out for…

Menu, usually it’s a button with the word ‘menu’ written above it. Go ahead and press it; and using your view finder you will see, white balance, ISO, shutter speed and aperture, exposure…go ahead and adjust a setting at a time and see the result when you take a photo. Go all the way until you start, combining several settings, like say shutter speed, aperture and ISO all at once. How is your photo coming along?

This will take time, but keep on adjusting and practicing. At the moment do not task your brain with knowing the finer details concerning technicalities of a camera. Let us begin here at the moment.

Every photographer is a dreamer. You look at the sun setting, and see a background for that wonderful poster that you are working on. Subjects are immense, light is available. Cameras, they are readily available nowadays-hire one if you don’t have it. The bottom line is however, for the mistake you make, own it and re-do it again. It takes time; it took me time. But I mastered it;so can you.