Keith, I used to use my MXen without thinking. It was so automatic, the
cameras seemed like an extension of myself. Unfortunately I have two
things against me now, I do not shoot enough to regain that ability, and
my short term memory and coordination are flaky even if I did. If my
long term memory is not shot to hell too, it took about 2 years of
shooting a few hours almost every day to reach that point (it might
have been shorter if I had been deliberately trying to develop that
skill). Most people today do not even keep their cameras that long.
graywolf
http://www.graywolfphoto.com
"Idiot Proof" <==> "Expert Proof"
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keith_w wrote:
I remember reading about some of the old photographers I idolized,
whose photographs stick in my mind, and will be there forever.
Almost without exception, they found what [camera/gear] they liked, or
used what they could afford at the time, and it became a constant
companion.
Used it day and night. Lived with it, literally.
Done that way, you become intimately familiar with this mechanical
wonder, and if it's capable of it, you can do it, almost without
thinking.
Changing all aspects of the exposure on the run, automatically.
How many of us know our cameras *that* well?
I used to with my old Retina Ia folder. I don't anymore with any of my
FAR more expesive cameras...
I need to start applying myself. Thanks for prompting that thought
process, Shel.
keith
