For the Open Challenge we had a lot of neat images and the creativity really showed. Ted Riley won with his Egg Splatter shot while a very realistic G.I. Joe image from Samantha Morrison came in second. The creativity in both of these shots should inspire us all to get out and shoot. Develop a plan and create your work. So this week, a lot has been said about learning to master our equipment vs. letting it master us. All to often we thrive to get the newest piece of glass, the greatest camera body, or the coolest software. Even non-tech photographers get a little giddy at handling the next best... Why? well some might argue that you have to stay up to date with trends. some might argue that a particular camera has X feature that "have to have". I am probably guilty of this as much as the next guy but whats so wrong with what we have? Can you honestly tell yourself that you have worked that camera to its utmost abilities? How about a particular lens? What you have a prime lens that has never seen the light? no way!!!
Amazingly this happens all to often and even some of the most experienced fall into this often. spend money on a piece of equipment and never truly realize on it's weaknesses and advantages. The classic is the 50mm I think. I had one and shot with it a handful of times each year and never really took advantage of the abilities that it possesses. Why? because my zoom also hits 50mm, so why do I need to lug around both! Reheheheally... Guess what, that 50mm is sharper, has much better low light ability, and can hit pretty close to the same shots with a few steps forward or backward from your subject. Oh yeah and I can also get closer to my subject with the 50mm 1.8 than I can with the 18-105. Now the 50mm is not the end all be all but coupled with a few other primes, it is part of a system that is pretty hard to beat.
So whats in your gear box right now that you have not touched in a while? This is where that mastering your gear comes in to play. A very close friend of mine started in photography a while back. She used to help me out all the time when we were out and about while I was taking pictures. She was always fascinated with photography but I think she might have been scared to jump in. One day I put a DSLR in her hands and lets just say the beast was awoken. I started giving her advice and tips on how to achieve specific things but I pushed and pushed for her to learn the technical aspects of photography which includes learning to use the equipment properly. I said it back then and I will say it today. Learn your equipment! I cant stress enough the importance of knowing what your gear is capable of. Photography is whether you want to admit it 50% technical and 50% artistic and you can not be a well rounded photographer without both. Having a "good eye" is useless if you can't get the shot the right way to begin with.
