Before I went to photography school…and why I chose to go. Part 1

I thought I wanted a hobby, but it did not take me long to realize that a hobby was not enough. I was looking for a new beginning. Not in a mid-life crisis way, but in an ‘I want this next chapter of my life to be different, exciting and equally fulfilling’ way. I spent a lot of time on YouTube and Creative Live trying to learn. Please don’t misunderstand me here. I love both of these resources and still use them and always will. There is just so much information out there that I found myself trying to learn things that were over my head before I had the basics. I needed a structured environment like RCC to make significant progress in a short period of time.

Therefore, it was just not enough especially when everyone you know is asking you to take pictures for them. In this blog I want to look at some of my early efforts (of course, for me, all of my efforts are early!) and critique them. Not to be critical of myself, but as a learning exercise and also to see how far I have come in my education. It is my desire for you to join me in this quest for further education.

I had a lot of fun creating these images and owe Madeline a lot for being such a good sport. I was using fashion magazines for inspiration and wanted to explore geometric shapes.

If I were to take this top picture again I would separate her from the background just a tiny bit and maybe turn her back shoulder towards the camera a touch. I would have her lean towards the camera to drop the front shoulder to create a slight angle with her body.

For this image I would bring her head forward and chin out and down. Her hands are too large in the frame because they are closest to the camera. I would really try to make her eyes more the subject next time. Now I know that the shiny tinfoil on her fingers is competing with her face and could be careful not to let that happen next time.

I would welcome any ‘Dhanrajian’ critiques so please share your ideas for the benefit of us all.