512: David duChemin: Camera Craft and Creativity: Light Space Time

The Beginner Photography Podcast

In this episode of the podcast, I chat with David duChemin, a humanitarian photographer who emphasizes the importance of mastering the creative aspects of photography. David encourages us to move beyond technical perfection, focusing instead on telling compelling stories through images.
THE BIG IDEAS

• Focus on Fundamentals: Mastering the basics of exposure, composition, and manual controls will elevate your creative expression.
• Creativity Over Technicality: Prioritize storytelling and emotional impact over perfect technical execution to create compelling images.
• Explore and Experiment: Regularly experiment with different settings and compositions to discover what works best for your creative vision.
• Embrace Constraints: Utilize restrictions, like shooting with one lens, to sharpen your focus on composition, light, and color.

PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN

1. Practice Manual Controls: Switch your camera to manual mode and experiment with different settings to understand how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO interact. Set up a series of test shots adjusting only one setting at a time, taking notes on how each adjustment affects the final image.
2. Explore Exposure Creativity: Experiment with different combinations of aperture and shutter speed while maintaining the same exposure to see how they change the aesthetic of the image. Use exposure compensation in aperture priority mode to control the brightness of your photos creatively.
3. Experiment with Composition: Dedicate a day to shooting the same subject from multiple angles, distances, and perspectives to understand the impact of composition. Apply the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing techniques to your shots, comparing the results.
4. Embrace Constraints: Challenge yourself to shoot exclusively with one lens or your smartphone for a week, focusing entirely on composition and lighting. Choose a single location and spend an extended period capturing its various features, moods, and stories.
5. Reflect and Adjust: After each photo session, review your images and identify which ones best tell the story or evoke the intended emotion. Keep a journal of your photographic experiments, noting what worked, what didn’t, and how you felt during the process.

RESOURCES:
Visit David duChemin's Website - https://davidduchemin.com/
Follow David duChemin on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davidduchemin/

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Thanks for listening & keep shooting!