The idea of getting better at taking pictures is to avoid having to do a lot of work afterwards in toning on the computer. Nowadays we can make nearly any photograph into something with the help of photoshop or other programs. But this takes a lot of time. So we want to get our pictures nearly client ready in camera. This is where the craft of photography comes in. There are technical things to learn, know and put into practice. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a techy guy. But I do believe its not worth beating your head against a wall repeatedly when it isn't necessary. So learning certain basics is something that is very good to do. I teach photography so I'm cautious of 'rules' of photography, yet I teach them. The 'rules' are in place to help us learn how to be better. I break these rules often, but incorporate other, what I consider higher 'rules' or practices....and then I often break those looking for the next level of 'rules' to learn and perhaps someday learn to break. The constant learning and getting better...thats what I'm interested in. That is the way an artist lives--work and try to find a new expression for their technique! The image above has a lot of post production. It was actually a pretty well made image, but I decided to play a little in photoshop with the colors and the next thing I new I was making it into something much different...not sure if I made it into something better, but different and in so found some interesting things to perhaps try again. Maybe learn how to d it and make it into a 'rule' of making an image...then break it! SayerMotter Photograph by Richard Sayer