(Camera: Samsung WB600)
Some believes that photography is an art of seeing. The photographer sees a scene with his artistic mind through a camera and captures it by the strength of his photographic skills. The final image is then presented in front of the viewers for admiring from an aesthetic perspective. A scene has thus been reproduced and reinterpreted in the form of art -- primarily an art of seeing.
Undoubtedly, the success of such an art of seeing hinges on two factors, namely, the understanding of art and the understanding of visual elements. For the first factor, an aspirant photographer can learn from any genres of art including or excluding photography. Books, exhibitions and taking part in such genres can heighten one's sense in aesthetics. Occasionally, I will draw, for example. It enables me to see things differently. I shall show some works here when an opportunity comes.
For the second factor, learn from the masters' paintings, photographs and even movie productions. I go to the movies almost once weekly. Apart from really watching the movies, a question always arises in my mind following an intriguing shot on the big screen, "What's in the director's mind when he arranged for that shot?" There are many other effective ways to train your photographer's eye. Mimicking the masters' shots is one of them. Just don't stop at reading reviews. Take photos with your cameras (surely in plural).
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