Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting my best friend Katie’s 5-week-old daughter, and as I was snapping some pictures and showing them to Katie, she asked me how I got such good pictures–”Is it just you, or your camera?” I gave her an answer, but I’ll get to that in just a bit. Today as I was pondering her question, I thought of another remark I often hear: “Wow, your camera takes really great photos!” Thinking about these two statements gave me an idea…

My answer to Katie (and how I answer the second remark in my head) is that it’s not about your camera; it’s about knowing how to use it. A skilled pro could take better pictures with an “amatuer” camera (consistently in a variety of challenging situations) than someone with an excellent camera that has no idea how to use it. Equipment is still very important for a professional, but that thought shouldn’t limit the average camera user to thinking they can’t take good pictures.

So this is for you, camera user. I by no means believe I am a guru or a fountain of photographic knowledge. I’ve merely learned a small piece of what there is to learn about photography, but what I have learned (slowly, piece by piece) has helped me become a better photographer. Today I cringe at some of the photos I took a few years ago, and I’m sure my skills will be much more refined a few years in the future. But I know that learning and applying that knowledge is a process, one that never stops.

So what exactly was that idea I had back in paragraph 1? I’d like to share little snippets of information; call them “Weekly Photo Tips,” if you will. My hope in writing them is that you’ll understand a bit about how your camera works and how to read light, and that you’ll be inspired to go out and try the techniques I write about. Mostly, I hope that this understanding and practice will help you better capture the wonderful times you share with your family and friends via the wonderful medium of photography.

And because this IS a photo blog, here’s a picture of my awesome niece.