Photo-Literacy

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks Lawerence for forwarding this interesting report:

>Half of America Admits Photo Failure!
>The Photography Information Council Launches Massive
>Campaign to Increase "Photo-Literacy"

I saw quite a bit of statistics and comparison of photo-behavior between
the two sexes.  I that OK with our local "stereotype police"?  :-) :-) :-)

>"We've all seenalbums with snapshots that are out-of-focus,
>underexposed, or, simply, uninteresting. Our goal, and it's a lofty one,
>is to end all that,"

Yeah... good luck! :-)  I am not sure this strategy will work:

>"After reviewing the results of this survey, PIC
>believes it is important to educate Americans about ew picture-taking
>technologies like filmless (digital) imaging and the new Advanced Photo
>System, and at the same time, stress the basics of how to take good
>pictures.

There are those who believe that it is exactly these modern technologies
that have taken the control out of the photographer.  Now the camera will
decide everything for you.  Take exposure for example.  How much control
does the user of a fully-automatic camera using print film has over
exposure?  How can you learn using such camera?

You want to learn the basics of photography?  Get a Pentax K1000 fully
manual camera.  Get a Realist or 50s stereo camera.  Then you'll learn what
exposure and focus is all about.  Do some reading, join a club, take a
class... Then you'll appreciate good composition.  That's my strategy. 
What do you think?

George Themelis


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