Photography Insights from Simon Donon

Introduction

• Presenter: Simon Donon, professional nature and wildlife photographer.
• Experience: 1.5 million photos in 12 years.
• Purpose: Discuss common worries in photography and their importance over time.

Key Takeaways

1. Importance of Sharpness

• Early focus on sharpness in photos.
• Realization: Sharpness is not critical for casual viewing (e.g., social media).
• Example: Photos previously ignored due to sharpness are now appreciated by viewers.

2. Gear Choices: Camera vs. Lens

• Initial concern about which camera to buy.
• Shift in focus to lens quality being more important.
• Lens choice affects photo look and quality significantly; camera body has less impact.
• In an emergency, lens would be the gear of choice.

3. The Role of Light

• Importance of shooting in the right light, especially during golden hours (sunrise/sunset).
• Great light can make certain photos possible; bad light can still yield decent photos, but good light enhances quality.

4. Shooting Modes

• Misconception that shooting in manual mode is essential.
• Importance of using the mode that gets the desired shot effectively.
• Example: Using manual with auto ISO for fast-moving subjects (e.g., falcons).

5. Embracing Bad Weather

• Shift in mindset towards bad weather as an opportunity rather than a hindrance.
• Bad weather can create unique atmospheres in photos.
• Recommendation: Shoot wide to capture the larger scene during such conditions.

6. Megapixel Obsession

• Common belief that higher megapixels equate to better photos.
• Reality: Not always necessary; depends on the genre and specific use cases.
• Example: 20-megapixel camera can yield great results for various photography types, including landscapes and portraits.

7. Dynamic Range

• Previous belief that high dynamic range is crucial for quality photos.
• Current perspective: Not as critical as storytelling, emotions, and unique moments.
• Example: Iconic photos captured with less dynamic range still hold immense power.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to focus on capturing the moment rather than obsessing over technical perfection.
• Prompt for audience to share their own photography worries that diminished in importance over time.

Additional Resources

• Free guide on shooting in backlit situations available on Simon's website.
• Video link provided on dynamic range issues for further learning.

Sponsorship

• Sponsored by Squarespace: Offers website building tools for showcasing photography work.