Some of the Rules…

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Stuff:• The brand doesn’t matter…much.• Buy as large a piece of Silicon as you can afford. [Silicon = sensor]• Get as few pixels as you can stand. [It doesn’t mean what you 1st assume…]• Use large apertures…that f/3.5-f/5.6 “kit” lens won’t cut it.• Lenses w/ vibration correction don’t help w/ moving subjects. [all subjects move]• “Use a UV filter as lens protection” is an oxymoron. • Putting a $75 protective filter on a $125 lens is dumb!• Use as expensive a filter as you can afford. [you get what you pay for]• There are only 2 types of filters you should use: Polarizing and Neutral Density.• Use a filter only when you absolutely have to.• Use a lens hood 24/7 as protection. [get a bigger camera bag!]• Don’t bother w/ front lens covers. [put them in a drawer at home]• Use rear lens covers when lens is not mounted.• Don’t clean lenses…very often. [a little dust doesn’t affect anything]• Don’t blow or breathe on lenses w/ your mouth. Don’t rub w/ T-shirt. Duh!• Use pure Ethanol on special paper to clean lenses. Don’t crumple paper; fold it.• Get a genuine Rocket Blower…learn where/how to use it.• The strap on a camera is a shoulder strap. Get a hand strap and use it instead.• Weight is good; it keeps the camera steady and the photographer fit.

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Process:• Half-press…Frame…Press. [don’t zoom after half-press]• Save RAW images! [you can also save JPEGs]• Take lots of pictures; select a few good ones.• Edit every picture you show to people.• Don’t be afraid of automation, but learn how to use it properly.• A human should be in the picture: “…it’s about the people”! [reflections work]• Be confident. Be nice. Be in charge.• Get up close…crop closer.• Focus on the near eye.• Trust your instinct about when to press the shutter.• Get the flash off the camera.

Lifestyle:• Frequent art museums…what did the artist want to say…did s/he do it?• Buy “The Photographer’s Eye” by Michael Freeman. Read it. Read it again each year.• When Amon Carter Museum shows “In the American West” the next time, go see it!• Carry a camera with pride as you go through life.