The article My Wedding Photography Experience has been updated and changed the name into "Wedding Photography - Lessons Learned". Now it reflects the evolution of my equipment bag and how I use it. As well there are a few new tools (i.e. LightSphere) that can make your life easier.

Have you asked yourself a question about what drives you to take the pictures? I tried to ask the same question myself, and the ansfer tended to bias toward the pure pleasure to be there, to notice, to compose... And then there was the added joy of sharing the experience with others and make them feel a bit of what I felt. And only these aspects drive my photography. Actually it is one of the things that make me quite reluctant to dive into the full-time business or at least do it as much as possible. In such a case I will loose the pleasure and that slow pace of doing what I like to do.

So, let's back to the topic - The Ingredient. In my understanding, the most importsnt and vital part in photography (as probably in any form of Art) is the feeling and the experience, which you will utlimately express in the photograph. Don't forget the words of a great Photographer:

"A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed, and is, thereby, a true manifestation of what one feels about life in its entirety."
Ansel Adams

I even put it on my home page, that important it is. Just consider what many people are saying - photography is a media of an artist. And I think, we all are artists, we try to express our feelings by simply saying the words, with expression on our faces (kids do it really well), writing, painting, music and songs, photography, cooking and so many other things. By the way, your mom when she laid all that dishes and utensils on the table is a form of Art. With such simple objects she expressed the way she feels about you and the home you live(d) in.

And to conclude this small post, I want to say that whatever you feel that particular moment when you create (even that simple composition of dishes and utencils) will be captured in the media of Art. There is another thing that matters - the language on which you express (the media). But ultimately, people will percieve and respond to those feelings that you felt. That's why it is important to start feeling and probably have the good feelings like Love, Compassion, Joy, Courage and others.