As time goes by, I find myself trying to wane off all automatic features offered on my camera. Shooting on Manual, AV, or TV has been the most rewarding educational experience I’ve had as a photographer. It’s helped me improve my composition skills while giving me complete control of my creativity. Manual focus, however, seems to have become my Achilles heel, especially, and almost exclusively, when it comes to night and low light settings. My focus here was the far-off Queen Anne Cell Towers, which have been an image I’ve attempted to take for some time now. At the same time, my attempts have rendered results both good and bad. It’s the sharpness of my manual focus that always seems to be the judge.
Looking at the shot below and being reminded that it was taken without the balance of my tripod makes me appreciate my growing sense of patience. I wholeheartedly recommend learning all the options your camera offers. Using those tools and getting off manual modes with not only help you grow as a photographer. It will also help you create your unique vision.
It was one of the first times we’ve spent time in Lower Queen Anne since we moved to Columbia City in late September. Though I think we can all agree on how much I love Columbia City. It’s safe to say, that the time spent in Lower Queen Anne was well spent. Living out of a suit case in a corporate apartment might sound rough to some. However, for me. Living with just the basics was a complete joy and a way to practice minimalism in a way I never thought possible. The several months we spent in Lower Queen Anne offered us a great introduction to Seattle. One I’m incredibly grateful for. Whether it was riding the bus, taking the train or just plain walking. The time spent there provided the change I was looking for when we decided to give the West Coast a chance.
After returning from dinner and dropping of a few things at the new apartment in Columbia City. I headed up to the roof deck to get some night air and take a few pictures. While we were out that night, i mentioned to my wife that once we get settled in the new place and unpack, I’d like to get back to capturing more nightlife= and night scapes. Something I had done regularly while living on the East Coast. Being that most of my photo gear, including my tripod, has somewhat limited my options. Being that I’m just days away from being reunited with my studio lights, stands, backgrounds and tripods. My mind seems to be filled with creative juices. I can’t go without noting the sense of envy I felt as I was packing up as two photographers armed with tripods emerged from the darkness. I couldn’t help but wish I had mine.
Photogeek Blog 