Okay... This is my little narcissistic page where I get to talk about myself for a few
paragraphs. Many photographers have grandiose statements about art,
spirituality, and the symbolism of the universe. In comparison, my aesthetic is
very simple and straight-forward: try to capture interesting places and moments
in time and make them as beautiful as possible. Since we can't always be in the
places we love, we can at least take the image with us to remember and
share with others. (Oh wait... that does sound a bit grandiose.)
I have enjoyed hiking and exploring mountains, canyons, and cities since I was very
young... always taking photographs, but it was only a few years ago that I began
taking it seriously. I find it quite rewarding to continually search for that
elusive perfect shot...
Many people have written me asking for photography tips and advice, so I thought
I would share some very generalized thoughts:
- Know thy camera! While we all yearn for that top-of-the-line
expensive camera that just came out (or hasn't even come out yet), remember that photography isn't just
about gear -- even more important is the technique and artistic sense of the
person behind the camera. Whatever camera you have, take the time
to really bond with it and learn its strong points as well as its
limitations. Every camera has its flaws, but you can still strive to get
wonderfully artistic shots out of any entry-level model, even if it is from
several years ago.
- Manual mode: If your camera has a "manual" mode, try it as a
learning experience! While not suitable for all occasions (like live events,
weddings, etc.), manual mode teaches you how to take full control of your image.
It is important to learn the significance and relationships between shutter speed, aperture, focus, and white
balance. Note: All SLR's have a manual mode and some point-and-shoots do as well.
When I am shooting in the wilderness, I use manual mode 99% of the time; I
know how I want the shot to look more than my camera's metering system does.
- Natural lighting: When looking for that perfect shot of a landmark,
always be aware of your lighting. What angle is the sun coming from; is it
diffused by clouds; would the subject look better at a different time of
day, or even a different time of year? Be prepared to return at a later date to
get your shot. For night photography or dark situations, your tripod is your
best friend.
- Making money: Don't ask me how to make it rich as a photographer. If you know the answer to
that, please tell me! P.S. If you are willing to sponsor a struggling
photographer, I will gladly accept your donation of $500,000 which I will
put towards quitting my day job and dedicating all of my efforts towards hiking and
photographing beautiful remote locations!
For more information or to say hello, please send me an e-mail or sign the
guestbook. Best regards! -- Joe
Camera Equipment | Joe Braun Photography
