... is all about seeing. I used to think it was about buying fancy equipment, and cool stuff. Now, I think it is about minimalism. Now I usually only carry my 35 mm camera, and a fixed focal lens (e.g. , 50 mm 1.8), maybe a tripod, and some slide film. The camera and lens are easy to carry, and limit my choices (I'm like a child, and get confused when I have too many choices). The tripod forces me to think about the shot I am trying to take. The slide film (as opposed to print film) reveals all the flaws in my exposure (it's okay to rely on the auto-meter, but you have to learn when not to trust it). And, most importantly, I've learned to weed out the bad pictures before I show anything to anyone. It may take me a hundred shots to get one good one, but... no one else needs to know that.
There are two websites that have helped me tremendously, and which I highly recommend: The New York Institute of Photography, and especially their "Photo of the Month" review, which analyzes a photograph in light of their three simple rules of photography. And, the other is Philip Greenspun's Photo.net site, which has a wealth of information on photo technique and equipment review, and even a place where you can upload your pictures and receive comments from other members of the forum. You have to join the forum, but it's free.
I haven't gotten around to posting a lot of stuff online (and it's not like we need more pictures on the 'net), but here is where I put a couple. [Link to portfolio at photo.net]
If you're into digital photography, check out this site.
And check out the Mardi Gras pictures that my friend Debbie took.
