Start Photography: Embracing the World Through a Lens
Photography as an Excuse to Explore
What’s popping, people? It’s Dante, starting my morning walk along the Schuylkill River. With every sunrise, the world brings a new mix of colors and hues—each day a different surprise. Photography isn’t just a hobby; it’s an excuse to get out and see the world. I think everyone should try photography because it’s a way to experience life on a deeper level, embracing the unexpected and finding joy in the simple act of observing. With tools like smartphones and compact cameras, like the Ricoh GR III, photography is accessible for all.
“The power of photography lies in positioning yourself on the front lines of life, close to the world, and articulating the unknown.”
The World as a Stage
In a world overflowing with passive entertainment, photography offers a dynamic and engaging alternative. When you step outside with a camera, the world becomes a stage, and life itself unfolds as a grand drama. Photography turns the world into an epic movie where every passerby is an actor and every moment a scene waiting to be captured. With each day, there’s something new to capture—even along the same paths and streets.
“The sunrise fuels my lust for life, igniting a sense of adventure in the everyday.”
Transforming the Ordinary into the Extraordinary
The magic of photography is in how it transforms the seemingly mundane into something extraordinary. It’s all about seeing the world through curious eyes. Each sunrise, every pattern in nature, the way people interact—all these observations become part of the creative process. With photography, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and your curiosity leads the way.
- Photography celebrates the simple pleasures of life.
- It captures the transient, impermanent nature of each moment.
- Every photograph exists outside the passage of time, allowing us to uplift the ordinary.
Practical Tips for Beginner Photographers
If you’re looking to get into photography, my advice is to start with a simple, compact camera like the Ricoh GR III. Simplicity in your gear lets you focus on the process, not the settings. I shoot with the Ricoh in P mode, using snap focus set to infinity—this way, I can just do more and think less. Using a wrist strap rather than a neck strap keeps the camera as an extension of my hand, allowing me to remain the ultimate bystander.
Quick Tips:
- Keep it simple: Use a compact camera and embrace automatic settings.
- Stay mobile: The more you move, the more you see—and the more you shoot.
- Embrace the process: Photography is both a visual game and a physical pleasure.
Photography as a Physical and Visual Game
Photography connects the visual with the physical. It’s about moving through the world, keeping your eyes open and staying engaged with your surroundings. I like to shoot from unconventional angles—holding the camera up high, down low, or to the side—creating unexpected compositions. The goal is not to look like a photographer but to simply move, observe, and capture what catches your eye.
“The motivation to create is in movement. The more you move, the more you see; the more you see, the more you capture.”
Sharing Your Work: Going Beyond Social Media
If you have an Instagram account, consider deleting it. Instead, create your own digital space, a blog where you can share your work without the constraints of social media. I recommend setting up your site with Bluehost and WordPress. Use a theme like Astra and treat your blog as a sandbox—a place to share your thoughts, process, and work in a way that feels free and personal.
- Start your own blog for more creative control.
- Treat your blog as a “digital sandbox” to explore and share freely.
- A personal website liberates your work from Instagram’s closed platform.
“There’s a freedom in having your own space to share work that isn’t confined to the algorithms of social media.”
Photography as a Way to Embrace Life
Photography is my excuse to remain curious about life. It’s that espresso shot that gets me out of bed in the morning, eager to see the world in new ways. Treat yourself as a tourist in your own hometown, ready to explore without preconceived notions of what you’ll find. In this spirit, photography becomes a way to connect with society, uplift humanity, and add deeper meaning to everyday life.
“Photography brings you closer to the moment, capturing life’s fleeting, impermanent nature.”
Start Photography Today
So, start photography today. Embrace the adventure, curiosity, and joy of capturing life’s fleeting moments. Through photography, you can create a reality that is meaningful, extraordinary, and inspiring.
“Create for yourself, capture the fleeting, and let the world be your stage.”