The Importance of Good Habits as a Photographer

The Importance of Good Habits as a Photographer

Developing strong habits can be as critical as mastering technical skills. For photographers, understanding and nurturing positive habits can significantly enhance your craft, leading to more compelling and impactful imagery.

Coming to you from Goughie, this excellent video introduces five key habits that have transformed his approach to photography. One habit he emphasizes is the practice of observation. By simply sitting and observing his surroundings, he has found that he’s able to capture more nuanced elements and storytelling in his photos. This approach encourages photographers to slow down and engage deeply with their environment, leading to more thoughtful and expressive images. Another habit he discusses is asking “why” – analyzing what specifically draws him to an image. This reflection helps in understanding personal preferences and developing a unique photographic style. 

Additionally, the video explores the concept of “finding the foreground” in landscape photography. He illustrates how foreground elements can distinguish a photo and add depth, scale, and narrative. This habit challenges photographers to look beyond the obvious and find unique perspectives, even in well-photographed locations. Establishing healthy habits will make you a better and more consistent photographer and help you get more enjoyment out of the craft. Check out the video above for the full rundown. 

Explore the Intricacy and Elegance of Restoring Century-Old Books as Told by Sophia Bogle

Explore the Intricacy and Elegance of Restoring Century-Old Books as Told by Sophia Bogle

An enlightening video shines the spotlight on educator, author, and book restorer Sophia Bogle. Beaming with adoration and extensive knowledge, Bogle takes audiences through the rigorous process of reconstructing priceless tomes.

In the last 30 years, Bogle has restored thousands of books. Referring to some stages of reconstruction as “book surgery,” she emphasizes the precision and patience that goes into mastering the art of preservation. From carefully removing and washing individual pages to retracing rips and mending even the smallest tears, the arduous practice requires delicacy for a job well done.

By signing each spine’s interior nearing the moments of denouement, she leaves her mark within each project in a seemingly invisible way. Bogle highlights the beauty of cumulative narratives as she shares, “I do love the fact that there’s the story in the book, there’s the story of the restoration of the book, there’s the story of who has owned the book, and now I’m just in there a little bit more.”

Watch the video by WIRED, and check out her YouTube channel for a closer look at her techniques.

 

Left: Organizational trays of book repair materials, Center: A book press, Right: Washing book pages in water

Hands use a bone tool to smooth repaired pages of a book

A knife tool is used to lift paper from the inside of a hardcover book

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Explore the Intricacy and Elegance of Restoring Century-Old Books as Told by Sophia Bogle appeared first on Colossal.

Bristol Portrait of Britain winner showcases diversity

Bristol Portrait of Britain winner showcases diversity

By Bea SwallowBBC News, West of England

imageCíara Hillyer Cíara Hillyer holding a camera and smiling in front of a tree with orange leavesCíara Hillyer
Cíara Hillyer said hearing of her win was “a real pinch me moment”

A Portrait of Britain winner has said photography has provided a “holistic outlet” to living with a rare genetic condition.

Cíara Hillyer, 31, from Bristol, was selected as one of 100 winners for the prestigious photography competition.

She was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at just five days old and finds it “therapeutic” to document her journey.

Ms Hillyer said she felt “honoured” to be recognised alongside other talented photographers in the Vol. 6 photobook.

The Portrait of Britain Awards are an annual celebration of British identity, offering photographers the chance to showcase diversity and representation.

Ms Hillyer’s winning submission showed Wolverhampton boys Isaac and Nima intricately trying to fix a Bluetooth speaker following a football match.

“I had gone to support a friend of mine, who has dwarfism, playing football and he introduced me to his friends,” she said.

“As soon as I took it, I felt a wave of excitement because I knew it was a great image.”

imageCíara Hillyer Ciara Hillyer's photo submission to Portrait of Britain awards. Shows Wolverhampton boys Isaac and Nima touching handsCíara Hillyer
Ms Hillyer’s submission was selected as one of the 100 winners from 200 shortlisted photographs

Ms Hillyer says the title of her submission, ‘Making it Work’, served as a double meaning to reflect what it is like to live with a genetic condition.

“It just became a bigger representation of their community, of them making it work for themselves day to day,” she said.

Ms Hillyer discovered her passion for creativity at an early age and said it provided a welcome distraction during her many visits to Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Her final project at university, titled ‘Breathing Space’, provided an insight into life with cystic fibrosis by documenting idle moments during hospital visits as she received treatment for the respiratory condition.

“It also reflects a lot of other people’s stories, people who know what it’s like to split your time between home and the hospital,” she said.

“[Photography] is definitely an outlet, a holistic approach to my health condition and my mindset.”

imageCíara Hillyer Cíara Hillyer standing beside her final project portfolio titled 'Breathing Space' picturing moments inside a hospitalCíara Hillyer
Ms Hillyer called her Masters portfolio “a blend of familiar landscapes”

Ms Hillyer said her recent win had provided the “boost” she needed to pursue a professional career in the subject, hoping to provide a platform for more “underrepresented stories”.

“I’ve photographed a lot in terms of disability and ill-health over the years, and I feel like I could tell someone’s story,” she said.

“Photography has done that for me for such a long time and it would be nice to do that for someone else.

“It’s photographing what I know, so it’s quite therapeutic in that sense.”

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