What makes a good photographer?

What makes a good Photographer?

Every day, I try to learn more about photography, in hope of improving my skill in the art. I read photo related articles and blogs and follow multiple photo groups and photographers on social media and YouTube. I have read the user manuals for my cameras and practiced with them until I am comfortable with all of the controls and settings. I know and understand the exposure triangle and have studied up on the rules of composition. Yet, at times, I still miss focus, get motion blur, over expose, under expose, or just plain miss the shot.

My wife Susan on the other hand, has never read a camera manual. She cannot navigate the settings and menus of her camera (I read the manual for hers and set it up for her). She is always in auto mode and has no interest in learning anything else. Yet, she takes stunning photos that I often wish I would have or could have taken.

I have friends with the newest and best gear money can buy. I have friends shooting with used 15-year-old equipment. I have friends who only take photos with their phone They all produce exceptional images.

Some photographers preach “get it right in camera”. Others utilize the full power and resources of Photoshop and Lightroom, or whatever other editing software they choose. Some want photo-realism, others post process to the point that you can’t even tell what the image started out as.

Photography to me is an art, an expression of the individual. A good photographer is anyone who enjoys taking good photos and is happy with the images that they make. So, just get out and shoot.