I get a bit peeved when people think if they buy my camera they will get pictures as great as mine. Yes, I think my pictures are great. I worked hard to get where I am with photography and I am proud to say “I took that photo“. So when I ran across this article I became giddy. Finally, another person that feels the way I do and had the guts to say it. So I will share this with you and know I agree one hundred percent….

Photography has Nothing to Do with Cameras” by Lucas Gentry

The first and foremost thing to know about being a photographer is as follows: Photography is all about the eye. Many people make the mistake of thinking that if only they had a fancy camera, then they would be a better photographer. Or they’ll think that if only they could take a trip to a more beautiful area, then they could take better pictures. I’m here to tell you that those sentiments are simply not true.

The simple fact is that it doesn’t matter how nice your camera is or how exotic the location, the major determination of the quality of the picture comes from the object that is behind the camera - not in front of it. The camera may be the limiting factor in certain situations, making it so your can’t get as clear of a photograph as you’d like, or the shutter speed might not be as fast as you’d like, but enhancing those features can only remove the limitations. It can’t make you take better pictures.

Cameras can only capture a scene or an object on film (or on a disk), but the thing that truely matters is the photographer. You have to see the photographs in your head before your camera can put them on film. Look for photographs everywhere. They are there, you just have to find them.

Look around as you go through the world. Look up especially. Nobody else looks up — they look down, they look forward. They get caught up in their busy lives, and don’t take the time to see the beauty that is all around them. That’s where you come in. You have the special position, as a photographer, to be the person who ensnares the beauty of the world around you and presents it to those less fortunate — the ones who haven’t discovered the awe which can be found in all creation.

You might be reading this and think to yourself, “Man, this guy is half-baked. He seems to think that the whole world is a painting, and that all you have to do is show it to people and you’ll be great.” Well, I can’t argue with you there. But I also would say that it is because I have this attitude, I can find great photographs in the mundane situations of life. It is because of this attitude that I can walk out my front door in regular-town, USA and be blown away by the beauty of the nature and the sky around me. It is because of this reason that I am a good photographer.

Let yourself be in awe of the world around you. Get blown away by the beauty in normal life. And that, my friend, will be the reason that your pictures will become priceless. Because you’ll be the one to bring the awe to someone else.

This article is copyright © 2005, Lucas Gentry, GentryDigital.com. The article can be used and redistributed as much as you’d like, as long as you keep this copyright information and resource box attached to the article. This article and others can be found at GentryDigital.com, the source for digital photography tips, tricks, and tutorials.

Mrs. Mousepad people, I DO NOT want a cheapy plastic mousepad with pictures of people I don’t know. So please stop asking me. And you might get rid of more if you didn’t stand 20 feet apart. The ballpark is huge, spread the heck out!!!

Mrs. Snooty old woman, This is a ballpark and believe it or not little kids enjoy it too. I am sorry my 17 month old accidently brushed you with a hat. And I know you said “ouch” but I am hear to tell you, you are full of crap.

Mrs. Neighbor of mine, if you know whats good for you you won’t come up behind me in the bathroom where I have no clue that theres anyone I know around. You scared the crap out of me. Good thing I was in the bathroom hardy har har

Mr. guy behind us, my child is not rough, and i do not need catcher gear to protect myself from him. He’s 17 months old and excited. Huge difference.

Mrs. annoyed by our cheering, you are in the Diamondbacks ballpark, so get over your eye rolling and dirty looks. It only made me cheer louder and longer.

Mr. guy at the end of the isle, thank you for being kind and not minding us getting up half a dozen times during the game. I aprreciate your easy going attitude.

Mr. ask stupid question, yes I purposely gave my child a mohawk *rolleyes* but I answered you with “what? he has a mohawk?” because it was such a stupid thing to ask. Heres your sign!

I remembered G’s eye appointment today. He kept asking about the drops. He wanted to make sure they wouldn’t put drops in his eyes. Of course I didn’t know what they were going to do. He didn’t like my answer, he wanted to know. Turns out no drops and one very happy boy.
I also had the other three huckeberries with me. Was I scared that one was going to knock over the glass display case full of very expensive frames? YES!! Luckily all kids were very well behaved. Darn it, makes for a very boring blog entry but a very proud mama. I left Wy and JJ out in the waiting room and half way through we switched rooms and I peeked out to see how Wy was holding up. He was sitting on the chair,feet out, looking really sad. I grabbed him and told him he could come back with us. That made him smile. I believe he’s coming around. At least I can hope hes coming around and the tantrums are going to be few and far between.
G did awesome with all the testing they did on his eyes. His vision has improved once again *yay*. So this means new glasses. We will go tomorrow to figure all that out. I am not happy with his frames now and they are broken. So maybe new frames are in order.

So…. to eat ice cream or not? That is the question. I think I deserve it for having four rockin’ kids.

JJ did awesome today. She danced her heart out and loved every minute of it.

Some of the dances were painful to sit through. I was hurtin’. They could of used a lot more practice to get it together. Then there were some dancers that could of used a little more material on their costumes. Meaning that stuff was hanging out where it shouldn’t of been. They looked as if they were hanging out of an outfit that was too small.
Then there was the little dancers where they just stood up on stage. By stood I mean the teachers were dancing off stage and these wee ones were standing there watching their teacher dance. They looked really cute but I couldn’t help but think it was a big waste of money and time having them up there.
There were a lot of dances that were awesome. Some of these girls really get into it. They put their heart into it and love every moment of it. I enjoyed those the most.
The dancing dads got out there close to the end and it was awesome. They made all those painful dances okay.

After the recital we got brave and went to dinner at Islands*yummy*. After I was trying to get a group shot of the eight kids. It was easier said then done.

We joked that we looked like the show BIG LOVE Mr. Fun was the only dad there, so it looked like him, his three wives and eight kids.

Its about 11:30 and we are pulling up to Target. G says Mom, when are we getting my glasses fixed? I can’t see how hot it is outside (meaning he can’t read the temp on the rearview mirror from the 3rd row) Well crap! His appointment was at 10:00 AM.
I had it all planned out perfectly for the week. His eye appointment was the only thing we had going on that day. The rest of our week is booked solid. So this appointment worked out perfectly even though it was made a year ago.Then I go and screw it up. So after naps we headed on over with my tail between my legs, glasses in hand. They couldn’t fix the glasses there but referred me to two repair shops that could. His appointment is for Monday at 2:30PM. I have all weekend to forget the appointment and then almost all day Monday to remember the appointment and make it on time. Don’t hold your breathe though. You may pass out ;)

Tell me that face doesn’t look annoyed?

If I get at least two great pictures that go together I start making the storyboard in my head. I hope its a phase. I don’t have time for this. Plus i’ll never get them printed because I never print anything of my own.
I keep saying I want something on canvas but have yet to decide which photo would be best. I have a few. Maybe I should get them all printed and cal it done ;)