Photography School: A picture is worth a thousand words

Photograph by Encore Alumni Sophia Thompson

As a young student is transitioning their fun with their smartphone into the artistry of building a great photograph, there are many things that they need to learn to be able to create art instead of just a great photo. Great photographers can do both.

The skilled photographer possesses a lot of important traits:

1. Creativity - A great photographer has creativity to build a photograph. It is not necessarily that a photo is "caught." Photographers build the artistry because of their creative eye.

2. Technical photography skills - Professional photographers and artistic photographers have to know how their cameras work. They need to understand the function of all of the "buttons" and features on a camera so they can stretch the limits of the photograph according to the technology available in every camera.

3. Patience and Concentration - When building a photograph, a skilled photographer takes the time to make sure that the lighting and the angles are correct. They take the time to connect with the photo and are willing to wait for the photo to be perfect. They also are able to understand that out of 100 photos, only a few might be usable in the context that they need.

4. Attention to Detail - Skilled photographers can see if a photo is blurry. They can see when the hair is out of place and they can see the mechanics and details in a photo to make sure that a photo can be perfection. Everything that is within a photo is intentional and the professional photographer can anticipate the details that they want within the photograph.

5. Strong Networking Skills - When taking photography professional, photographers need to be able to communicate with people (clients) to make sure that they can satisfy the needs of their customers. They also need to be able to communicate what they need from their models and subjects to capture the perfect photo.

Photograph by Encore Alumni Amberly Chase

Encore High School for the Arts has an extensive photography program that has been able to build some great photographers that went into a professional career after high school. Photographers have worked for major commercial groups including Nikon and Cirque Du Soleil. Encore also has alumni that work as photographers for major newspaper publishing companies. Several graduates from Encore's photography program have secured scholarships in multiple college and universities including Chapman University.

The program includes training in Adobe Photoshop, photography, journalism photography, film, and film production. Students spend their high school career creating a professional photo portfolio that helps them start freelance work after high school. Encore has several photographers that have started their own businesses after high school in photography.

With photography, high school students can build a skill and the opportunity for a lifetime career.

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Petey the Pirate is the author of this blog for Encore Education Corporation. Part of Encore Education Corporation is Encore High School, a free public arts regional high school in Southern California grades 7 - 12. Encore's Arts program is currently taking applications for the fall 2020 enrollment. Transportation is available through the Inland Empire (15 and 215 freeway) and the high desert. www.encorehighschool.com. Where arts and academics grow together. WASC Accredtied. Copyright 2020.