"Vision is hard, craft is easy" defines the amateur.

"Vision is easy, craft is hard" defines the professional.

When you can easily do both, you are a master.

The above quote I picked up from a blog on the Tony Bridge website and it has stuck with me ever since. To me it really sums up not just the raw talent and skills needed to become a great photographer, but the endless journey one embarks upon when choosing photography as a career. Of course to choose such a career path takes much more than the need to make a living through hard work as the above clearly indicates. So it seems that no mater how long I take pictures or how hard I want to learn, the road to greatness (I wish) will be an endless trek. A bit disheartening really but hey, at least it will be great fun taking all those photographs along the way.

http://www.thistonybridge.com/

I started out getting up early with all the enthusiasm I could muster at 4:30 in the morning and travelling in the hope I would arrive in time to catch the sun rising, shoot to my hearts content and the magical morning colours have faded then off to the local cafe for breekie and a coffee. Those were the days but it wasn't going to last forever. There comes a time when photographing landscapes wont cut it and photographing people seems like a much more interesting prospect.

This change in my photographic evolution can be quite an intimidating prospect. The thought of adverse reactions and invading a persons privacy buy shoving a camera in a persons face (even from a distance) can rattle the nerves. My family, friends and even pets suffered as they faced a lens around every corner so it didn't take long to wear out my welcome.

Incurring the wrath of family was much easier to cope with than that of a stranger but with my photographic subjects all worn out it was once again a fast looming possibility. Those who pickup a camera for the first time and a new reality dawns as the passion takes hold, must surely be faced with the same issues. This is how it starts and possibly how it ends. The journey is always going to be about pushing the limits, (mentally and technically) learning to see, visualise and create. Then there's the ability to communicate, visualise and manipulate and all this is only just the beginning. OK so now its obvious its not an easy road, and if you turn pro, not and easy way to make a buck but it in my book it surely rates as one of the most satisfying of occupations.

I really cannot speak for everyone else but its the best thing I have ever done.

How many people have the opportunity to make there passion there job???

Its fantastic.

To be continued