The Magic of Ordinary Things

 Chaise Lounge, U.S. Hwy 129, Irwin County

I am by no means a great photographer, although I've been a professional for more than 50 years and am reasonably competent in many aspects of commercial work -- advertising, architecture, photojournalism, and portraits, among the many things a small-market generalist photographer may be called upon to do. Most of these take specialized skills, especially skill in the use of light.

However, most of the photographs posted on this blog and in my books requires no specialized knowledge at all -- just basic camera-handling skills. In other words, these are pictures most of my readers could have made. There's magic in ordinary things and in the scenes most of us see every day. The operative word is see. Do we actually see the world around us, or do we just pass by without noticing? 

Hundreds of people pass the little pond with the red settee on U.S. 129 in south Georgia without noticing it. Some do notice, but how many stop to make a picture? This picture could have been made by just about anyone with a camera, but I'm probably the only one who actually did stop and make a photograph. It isn't rocket science. It's just noticing, and taking a moment to make a photo of what you notice. 

Beyond that, if you want your picture to be as appealing as possible, learn a few simple things about composition, which is the art of setting the boundaries of your frame and arranging the elements within it in the way you find most attractive. Again, it's not rocket science.

If you would like to learn more about composing your photographs, check out the six-part series I posted in February, 2022. It begins here. 

(Canon EOS 5D Classic digital camera, EF 70-200 f4L lens)

Signed copies of the new second edition of Backroads and Byways of Georgia are available. The price is $22.95 plus $3.95 shipping. My PayPal address is djphoto@vol.com (which is also my email). Or you can mail a check to me at 8943 Wesley Place, Knoxville, TN 37922. Include your address and tell me how you would like your book inscribed.

Check out the pictures at my online gallery: https://davejenkins.pixels.com/  Looking is free, and you might find something you like.

Photography and text copyright 2023 David B.Jenkins.

I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless life gets in the way.

Soli Gloria Deo -- For the glory of God alone.

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