There’s creating a concept or thinking of an image. And then there’s shooting it with a camera to create a photo.

The camera changes everything.

The camera means that more than just the people in the set are going to see it and experience it. Other people are going to see it, and they don’t have the same context as the ones in the room, who are the people you can see and interact with and know all about what you’re doing.

Most likely, people will glance it rather briefly on their phones or laptops.

So when there’s a camera we have the actual conversation (the back and forth) happening and then there’s this other thing happening where we’re adjusting the actual conversation with the people or items in right in front of us on behalf of the people who aren’t right in front of us.

And that’s ok.

I don’t give a damn about capturing a moment realistically. Start worrying about effectively communicating a story through your medium. The more we become familiar with how the camera changes things (and how to use that in good effect to tell your story) the more we can use it to the benefit of everyone.

George Kroustallis // Minorstep