Expert: Don Wood - 12/24/2006

Question
I at 30 have discovered my passion of photography.  I love black and white images the most and I tend to be drawn to trees.  I am fascinated by the work of kerik kouklis and roman loranc.    What do you suggest that I start out with to begin my adventure/hobby in black and white photography.  I have had NO..formal training by the way.

Answer
Welcome to the world of photography. Since you are interested primarily in B/W, I'd suggest that you find a school that will teach you how to use the darkroom. Then I would make the investment in an enlarger, and other darkroom equipment. In B/W you would have the opportunity to witness the magic of a piece of paper turning into a print, you could then manipulate it. Alternative is to have a professional lab do it and have to explain to the tech what manipulations you envision. Plus, should you be drawn to the art shows, exhibitions, chatauqua events where artists display their work for sale, being able to develop your own displays, you would get a nose for what is saleable and what is not. I would further haunt the library looking at fine art/photography books looking at the pictures and trying to see how the artist achieved his result. I call this, developing your photographic eyes. Perhaps you will need to move to one side or another, include other objects, govern the shutter speed to record water of a small waterfall standing still, or spraying in a blob.  You will learn to think a lot about each exposure.
There is a sense of history in the photographs. Each is a tiny slice of time frozen for eterninty. You are the recorder determining how the viewer sees the scene.
Because the shows you attend are on weekends, you will be free to keep your day job, using the profits from the photography to indulge your passion of photography. You will find many books that will help you self-teach yourself in the craft. You might also search for websites advertising their teaching of the craft. Brooks Institute in California is one, it's pricey, New York Institute of Photography in NYC is another that comes to mind.
I do wish you well in all your endeavors. Please keep me posted, if I can help in any way, let me know. Thanks for the qu4estion.