Practice Makes Perfect

Image copyright Ian Ho 2007

[Cross-posted at vjphotosoc.blogspot.com]

Practice makes perfect. Perhaps you've heard of this old adage many many times before, but boy is it true when it comes to photography.

Many people want to succeed in their photography, quickly. But there's no shortcut to success. The only way to improve is to practice! Shoot more, snap more, see more. As photographers, we must come to recognise the importance of integrating shooting time into our regular schedules. MAKE time for photography. Maybe set aside 2 hours every Saturday and head down to the park near your house to get some shots. Or sign up to cover more events in college! The more you shoot, the more familiar you are with the camera, the more confident you get with your skills and that's how you improve.

But besides shooting more, it is also advisable to look more and share more. Look at more good photos. Be it online, in bookstores, libraries, newspapers, visiting exhibitions etc., looking at more good pictures by professional photographers WILL go a long way to inspire you and give you the impetus to shoot better images than before. And if need be, start by emulating these good images. Ask yourself: how was this image created? What makes it so special? But don't stop there... try to create YOUR own original image after that.

Then, share more. With digital photography and the Internet, sharing images with fellow photographers and friends has never been easier. There's Flickr, Facebook, blogs etc., so many avenues for you to publish your photos and receive feedback. Ask your fellow photog members to critique your photos, and learn from your mistakes. That's another fast way to improve in your photography - make mistakes.

These are just some quick tips on how to improve your photos if you're just starting out. Remember: shoot more, look more, share more!

Crumpler industry disgrace neck strap - mini review

One week ago, I purchased the Crumpler Industry Disgrace camera neck strap, branded with Canon EOS, as a replacement for the usual Canon strap that came with my 400D.


The strap costs me slightly over $30 bucks, but it was definitely worth my money. So many photographers use camera straps provided by the camera manufacturer and never think twice about it. Usually these lousy straps aren't comfortable at all. Most of them fail to ease the load of the camera, and as a result the strap 'cuts' the skin, causing discomfort when hung over the neck or slung over the shoulder for a prolonged period of time.

This is where the Crumpler industry disgrace excels in - comfort. Firstly, it is noticeably broader in width than any other strap, making your camera feel lighter when slung over your neck. It also looks different. Instead of a long straight strap, this one is moulded into a vague 'U' shape, allowing it to wrap over the neck for a secure fit. A special grip print also ensures that the strap fits well around the neck. There is also a breathable air mesh strap which gives very nice padding over your neck.

Assembling the strap onto your camera is easy. You fit it in like any other strap, and it stays securely in place. The strap also features double length adjustment, giving you the flexibility to change its length very quickly.

The only problem with this strap is that of storage. Because it is slightly thicker and broader than other straps, keeping it in your camera bag might be slightly challenging if space is little. Also, it is not as 'foldable' as other cheap straps.

All in all, I have nothing but praises for the Industry Disgrace... this strap is especially suited for photographers who carry heavy equipment, and makes life a lot more comfortable!