Mastering the Photographic Assignment

I have spent more than 30 years photographing landscapes and aspects of nature on every continent, usually for magazines and corporate clients. Along the way, I've had to learn how to bring back compelling images even under severe time constraints and when the shooting conditions were less than ideal.

It was never easy and I was painfully aware of the steps in my own growth and development. As I reached each new level of discovery and mastery, I had a strong desire to share my knowledge and understanding with other photographers. Fortunately, I’ve had the pleasure of instructing photographers through the books and articles on photography that I wrote with my wife, Anne Millman; and in countless workshops I’ve given all over the world.

The lessons I learned and share in my workshops come down to these key precepts:

Understand the distinction between "beautiful" and "photogenic." A RockyMountain vista may look perfectly lovely to the eye, but it may have qualities that don't translate well as a photograph. On the other hand, a quite ordinary scene may have the makings of a magnificent photograph. My job is to help educate and sensitize your eye so you become more skilled at identifying what is photogenic, which will improve your photographic results.

Pre-visualize your image. Before you start to shoot, develop a clear mental picture of the image you want to create. This is the essence of photographic vision. You'll have a hard time deciding which pieces of equipment and which techniques to use without it. Pre-visualization requires an ability to interpret what your eye sees by imagining its graphic, pictorial and aesthetic potential. It is the core of photographic creativity and people often ask whether it is possible to learn to be photographically creative. My own growth as a photographer, as well as the experience of thousands of students I have taught tells me that it certainly is. For some, it comes from instruction and demonstrations. For others, from critique sessions and the chance to see how various participants approached the same subjects. For still others, by freeing themselves of the fears and insecurities that undermine our innermost ability to express ourselves. This is what continues to be a source of pride and pleasure for me: the many ways I have helped people find they're own photographic perspective.

Analyze your raw materials critically. Great nature photographs don't just happen. They're shaped by the combination of superior photographic vision, raw natural materials and refined technical skill. Once you have your pre-visualized image, you have to carefully judge the light, colors, shapes, textures and other elements of the environment you are working with to choose the right equipment and settings for the image you want to create. Since landscapes are always changing, presenting a new face each time as the light shifts or the weather changes, you'll discover something new each time you return – and this will help keep your photographs fresh and exciting.

Know how to make your equipment do your bidding. Sophisticated camera equipment is no guarantee of memorable pictures. Nor do I have any hidden techniques, tricks or secrets that I must keep to myself to maintain my standing as a professional photographer. Technical skill comes from knowing your equipment and how to work it so it gives you the results you want – not just when you are lucky but consistently. It takes time and effort to develop such skill but it is accessible to everyone and I will do my part to show you how. In fact, it is my deep wish to bring to others the same sense of pleasure and accomplishment that I derive from my work.

Use photography to enhance and enrich your travel experience. Most importantly, I believe that photography is a wonderful way to enhance and enrich your travel experiences. The very process of wanting to create expressive, telling images can sensitize you to your surroundings and encourages you to approach a scene in a new way. I know the camera becomes an instrument for increasing one's appreciation of beauty. Through our photographs we discover how to derive greater pleasure from our travels and nature than would otherwise be possible. The camera teaches us how to find beauty in unexpected places, and by creating successful photographs we can share this beauty with our family and friends.

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