New Tutorial Blog – Photography 101 - Basic Photography For Beginners

I have now been on Steemit for a little over three months, and the time has come for me to take stock of what I have and have not achieved!

I suppose I have done OK. I have 560 followers at the time of writing and have a rating of 51. Could I have done better? Of Course! Could I have done worse? Of course! So, why the self-evaluation at this point?

Looking critically at my own posts, I have realized something extraordinary. I have posted a wealth of photography (all my own work), using it to support posts about travel, food, gardening, pets - in fact about anything and everything except the subject matter that I am truly an expert in (as much as anyone can become an expert in anything!) I have been participating in challenges and even competitions, but I am missing the mark entirely!

I am one of maybe a handful of professional photographers on Steemit; I may even have been in the business longer than most on here and I bet that at 70 years young that I am the oldest! I should be sharing the wealth of knowledge I have about photography – the aesthetic aspects, the technical aspects, and last but not least the commercial aspects!

I believe that on Steemit there are already some very good and detailed posts that include lots of technical information for those already familiar with and using DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) cameras. (Those are the digital cameras with the interchangeable lenses that professionals use.) My intent is not to create a set of tutorials for the advanced photographer, but rather to help those who may not own a DSLR and may do most of their shooting with a cell phone or point and shoot camera. There will be some posts about using DSLRs at a later date, but for now my aim is not to get anyone bogged down in technical details. You will soon learn that the camera is just a tool, but that sometimes you need to change the tool to meet some requirements you may have. It's not about the camera you own, but you do need to know its limitations.

As Henri Cartier-Bresson, one of the greatest street photographers of all times once said:

So, let's think of what I am offering to you here as Photography 101 then – and an opportunity to use your eye, heart and head! I will give assignments and offer honest evaluation for those who use the tag #photography101. Those who post their work should expect to receive honest critiques of their work by their peers and professionals alike. When you use the tag #photography101, you are asking for critique, not niceties like “good photo” or “excellent work” etc. You are asking for feedback about your work, so that you can grow and improve as a photographer! Please don't use the tag, unless you agree to having your work critiqued.

Image © Diane Macdonald. All Rights Reserved.

So, here are the rules for each weekly assignment (or challenge if you prefer to call it that):

1. You must include the tag #photography101
2. In the post heading, you must include photography101 and the assignment number (e.g. Photography101- Assignment 1)
3. You must be open to receiving honest constructive critique on your photograph.
4. Give honest constructive critique about the photographs, not just a “nice photo” or “well done.” Tell the photographer what worked for you and what didn't.
5. BE NICE when critiquing the work of others. Every photograph always has something good in it, so build on that observation.
6. I can't tell you how to Upvote, but in this case I suggest Upvoting and Resteeming the photographs which fulfill the week's assignment.
7. All work must be your own! No exceptions! Plagiarized work will be reported!
8. This is not a RULE, but simply a REQUEST that you Resteem this post so that others can know about it!

Please feel free to ask me any questions that are photography related. I don't pretend that I know everything, as learning is a lifetime experience. I am still learning, but I have had extensive education and years of experience in a business that is also my passion!

Lesson 1 can be found here

Happy Photographing and Happy Steeming! Let's have fun with this!

Thanks for taking the time to read this! I appreciate it.

To find my photography and designs on Steemit, please search on #dianemacphoto and to check out my art prints and stock images, please visit my website.