DIY Goebbels

Has anyone else noticed that there is a DSLR craze going on in this country? I travel coast to coast four times a week, and I can’t help but notice hoards of travelers carrying DSLR cameras. I also find it interesting that these people are actually taking photos. People are pointing their cameras at anything and everything. Where do these photos end up, and why are people suddenly interested in photography? Have Americans finally over taken Japanese tourists as the new DSLR superpower?

 

I think I have at least part of an answer. In the age of Facebook, blogging, and reality TV Americans have become highly aware of how the right photograph can affect their own online image. Photos are a powerful propaganda tool and simple to produce. One of the quickest ways to make sure your friends know how adventurous, tasteful, and culturally aware you are is to upload photos from your trip to Burma to your Facebook account. Also, the success of many personal blogs depends on the proper photos. Would millions of mothers believe in the dooce without her snappy, but not too professional as to be unbeliveable, photos? Would they click on her McDonald’s banner ad?   We are becoming a nation of small time propagandists busily pumping out images of our happy middle class families and heroic high adventure vacations.

 

Ask yourself this question, “Have I become my own personal Internet Goebbels?” If your answer is “yes” don’t despair. I am not here to lecture you on your online activities, or the downfall of western culture. I am here to help.

 

Do you ever find yourself feeling envious when one of your Facebook friend’s vacation photos look better than yours? How come the sky in you friends life always looks so blue while yours is a sickly milk white? Do you feel anxious when another mom in your mommy group posts a photo, and her kids look cuter than yours? Don’t worry. These are natural feelings. You have nothing to be ashamed about. In fact, I have good news. I am about to unlock the door to an arsenal of imaging weapons that will assure that you never get out-photoed again.

 

This post marks the beginning of a new series for this blog titled, “How It’s Done”. I am going to start with the basics of photography and move on to more advanced techniques including photoshop work flows. Please try to work through the feeling of mental numbness that the previous sentence might have induced. Photography is easy! There are essentially only two controls on the camera. No matter how thick the layer of gristly growth encapsulating your brain you will be able to get through this. By the time we’re done you will have a handle on the entire digital photo process. You’ll know the true joy of photography. Your Facebook photos will crush all contenders.

 

Click here to read Lesson 1