Introduction: Science
In this lesson we explore the bed rocks of photography; the camera, lenses and accessories. I began taking still photography seriously in 1969. Over the last 50 plus years the equipment has changed. As a camera sales person in Eaton's I remember a camera rep telling me that one day cameras would be self-focusing. I thought "No way. How can a camera know what to focus on. You will always need a human to do that!"
How wrong I was. That was just the tip of the iceberg of the changes that would come down the tube.
I took photo journalism courses at Ryerson University as part of my first degree.
Then fine art photography at York University on route to my second degree.
I sold images through several phot agencies and as a freelancer.
Eventually I wrote books and produced magazine articles.
As times changed my cameras and equipment changed. Manual cameras were replaced by more sophisticated models that offered more and more features. Then in 2002 I guided a safari and one of the clients, a young man, brought with him a digital camera. I thought "Digital! What a piece of junk!"
How wrong I was. His pictures were excellent. I was impressed.
Impressed enough to buy an 8 megapixel Canon 10D and take it with me to Yellowstone where it proved its worth.
Never looked back.
Now it is mirrorless cameras.
Yet through all this technological change the basics of still photography stayed the same. These basics are the subject of the first lesson.
Assignment 1: click
Next week: We get to the hard stuff.
How wrong I was. That was just the tip of the iceberg of the changes that would come down the tube.
I took photo journalism courses at Ryerson University as part of my first degree.
Then fine art photography at York University on route to my second degree.
I sold images through several phot agencies and as a freelancer.
Eventually I wrote books and produced magazine articles.
As times changed my cameras and equipment changed. Manual cameras were replaced by more sophisticated models that offered more and more features. Then in 2002 I guided a safari and one of the clients, a young man, brought with him a digital camera. I thought "Digital! What a piece of junk!"
How wrong I was. His pictures were excellent. I was impressed.
Impressed enough to buy an 8 megapixel Canon 10D and take it with me to Yellowstone where it proved its worth.
Never looked back.
Now it is mirrorless cameras.
Yet through all this technological change the basics of still photography stayed the same. These basics are the subject of the first lesson.
Assignment 1: click
Next week: We get to the hard stuff.
