How to See Like a Photographer - Part 1
LEARNING TO SEE LIKE A PHOTOGRAPHER
Welcome to the first part of our series “Seeing Like a Photographer.”
Today we’ll explore how to transition from passive looking to active seeing. Since we’re just starting out, we want to keep it really simple. Each week as we do these exercises, we really suggest getting out into nature to try them out, but if that’s impossible, do what you can, even if it simply means looking out the window or going for a small stroll in the park.
Each weeks exercises are divided into two. A thinking exercise that helps you cultivate curiosity, and a photographic principle that you can put into action even if you do not own a camera and get more out of your nature outings.
Let’s get started!
ARE YOU SEEING OR JUST LOOKING?
Remember the last time you took a hike through the forest? The trail was worn, a ribbon of earth weaving through a sea of green.
To the casual glance, it’s “just a forest.” But for those who pause, who really look, it transforms.
Each tree becomes its own universe of texture and color; the forest floor, a detailed tapestry woven by nature’s hand. This series is about learning to become the person who sees the world in its marvelous complexity, even if it’s in places you think you know well. Starting this week, you will train your eyes and your brain to look beyond the obvious.
The first thing we need to understand, is that our brain sees, or in other words perceives, only what we want it to. Studies suggest that our brain filters out over half of our sensory experiences. Ever stared into traffic only looking for red cars? You could have had an elephant walk through the scene and not notice it.
See video on Youtube
The first step in training your vision is learning to observe the world around you actively, not passively.
A FACT OF NATURE.
Did you know that a single tree can provide a home to hundreds of species. Just like that, when you begin to look, each scene you encounter is a treasure trove of visual elements waiting to be discovered.
GET OUT THERE AND START SEEING LIKE A PHOTOGRAPHER
You are here
Legend:
Lesson:
Learning the Art of Observation
It’s not just about looking; it’s about seeing like a photographer. The first step in training your vision is learning to observe the world around you actively, not passively.
Thinking Exercise
Spend 5 minutes looking out of your window. Then, jot down everything you noticed. Later, look again but this time, make it a point to notice new things that you didn’t see before. Compare both lists and make note of what surprised you.
Colour
PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINCIPLE JOURNEY
Photographic Principle – Colour
Colour, especially in nature, is one of the first things that grabs our attention. It can be a good thing, but also limiting, if we only take notice of a few. Not being able to see past color can also make us blind to many of the other beautiful things happening in the scene.
Take a walk in nature and focus on identifying as many colors as you can. The shades of green in the leaves, the hues of blues in the sky, the tints in a sunset. Make mental or physical notes on what got your attention and why.
Try to identify several different scenes around you where colour is the main attraction.
PATH NAVIGATION
Color
Light and Shadow
Depth
Patterns
Contrast
Frames