Chapter 34: Leveling Up Guide:
11 Levels Toward Photographic Mastery
Use this Guide to chart your progress through the levels of your photography experience. Find out what you’ve learned so far, your current level, and see what you’ll learn in the future. Print out the list and check-off each level you have accomplished. You will find a printable version HERE
Some levels require that you have experience in that topic. Other levels expect that you know certain information. If you aren’t sure whether or not you know the required information for a level, write down what you know and go to Google to find the answer.
Levels are based on knowledge, experience, and skill. As your work develops, you will gain insights that you can’t get any other way. By internalizing those insights and integrating them in your next photo session, you will move up in levels of skill and, at the same time, discover subtle clues about your own photographic identity as it becomes apparent within the imagery of your compositions.
When you eventually reach the level of Masterful Photographer doesn't mean you know everything about photography. It means that you have accumulated a lot of experience and knowledge and, importantly, you know how to apply those things to solve aesthetic, technical, and conceptual problems. Your understanding, knowledge, and skill level is above most people because you have dedicated a lot of time, attention, and energy learning and applying what you have learned. If you have achieved this level of recognition, then you have worked hard over a long period of time.
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Summary of Levels:
1: Novice Photographer
2: Beginning Student Photographer
3: Intermediate Student Photographer
4: Advanced Student Photographer
5: Emerging Photographer
6: Amateur Photographer
7: Developing Photographer
8: Principle Photographer
9: Chief Photographer
10: Senior Photographer
11: Masterful Photographer
Level 1: Novice
You make cell phone selfies as evidence that you were at an event, place, or with someone.
You have used a cell phone camera to capture photos and share them with others
You enjoy making photos of things that catch your eye
You have posted your photos to a social media platform
Level 2: Beginning Photographer
You have discovered that not all subjects should be placed in the center of the frame
You grasp the differences and similarities between your camera’s phone and a DSLR
You understand how the aperture controls how much light enters the camera and how it affects the appearance of your photos
You understand how a shutter controls how long light enters the camera and how it affects the appearance of your photos as depth of field
You know the differences between a jpg file, TIFF file, png file, and a DNG file format
You understand how ISO relates to the sensitivity of the camera’s CCD
You can recite a series of full stop aperture settings used on most lenses
You can recite a series of full stop shutter speed settings on a DSLR
Level: 3 Intermediate Photographer
You have discovered the critical importance of the background in your photos
You are familiar with the difference in the amount of light that is controlled by aperture and shutter speed stops
You understand how aperture, shutter speed, & ISO are used to acquire a desired exposure
How white balance and color temperature affects the color of digital images
You know how f-numbers relate to both aperture sizes and depth of field
You understand the relationship between your lens’ focal length and its angle of view
You know how and when to use your camera’s flash
You don’t really have a specific subject or concept as your main focus
You are able to use the basic editing tools of Adobe Lightroom or other digital editing tools, to refine your images
You are proficient at converting proprietary RAW files into DNG files
You can recognize digital noise and know ways to prevent it
Level 4: Advanced Photographer
You understand the different categories of lenses and how each will affect the appearance of your subject matter
You have experience capturing long exposures and time exposures
You understand the situations that will most affect your lens’ capacity for depth of field
You can recognize situations that will most likely trick your light meter and know how to compensate for those situations to get the exposure you want
You know when to use a tripod or alternative tool for steadying the camera
You know how to read a histogram and understand how to use its information for better exposures
You understand color theory as it applies to light, how a CCD records light, inkjet printing, and conventional chemical process printing
You are able to recognize, frame, and capture images in a way that creates visually unified compositions
Level 5: Emerging Photographer
You understand how exposure reciprocity works
You understand the parameters of dynamic range from highlights to dark shadows
You know how to use your camera’s light meter in all lighting conditions to get the exposure you want
You can recognize when an image composition incorporates the rule of thirds or other design principles
You understand that your skills and talents have monetary value
You are able to create and edit images to produce appropriate contrast
Level 6: Amateur Photographer
You are skilled with digital editing tools, like Adobe Lightroom, to prepare, refine, and enhance image files.
You can use Adobe Lightroom to convert color images to black and white
You know that your vision is most accurately expressed in black and white, color, or both
You understand the relationship between your camera’s CCD and focal length
You know when the magic hour is and how to use it to your advantage
You can identify and utilize each light in a three-point light set-up
You have experience with photographing a variety of subject matter, including people, landscapes, abstract, still life, and others
You can apply juxtaposition in a way that creates meaningful images
You know with certainty that critique is a valuable part of the photographer’s growth process
Level 7: Developing Photographer
You are able to use the language of critique to deliver perceptive, insightful critiques
You know which ISO to use to get the highest quality image for any given scene
You know the two qualities of light and their identifying characteristics
You have discovered at least 5 contemporary and/or historical photographers that inspire you
You have a working knowledge of Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority, and Manual modes
You are able to use lighting ratios to create a sense of form and texture
You are able to predict how a shutter speed will affect the appearance of your subject
You can predict the amount of focus any given aperture will produce for your most used lenses
Level 8: Principle Photographer
You want to make meaningful photographs
You approach your photography with intention but remain open to spontaneous opportunities
You know “why” you make photographs
You understand color management in relationship to your images files, the monitor, and printing
You have technical mastery over your camera and use it to get the visual outcomes you expect
You typically do detailed pre-production planning before going out to make photos
You know a variety of light modifiers and are able to use them as tools for lighting
You have established an efficient workflow from capture to final image product
You habitually photograph scenes using multiple angles, vantage points, and focal lengths
You know if you are primarily a black and white or color photographer. Or you are able to successfully use both.
You can easily size, sharpen, adjust contrast, and output image files in preparation for printing
You understand how to use aspect ratios to prepare your image file so you get the size and correct proportion of the print you want
You are able to use high dynamic range to bring detail into light and shadow areas
Level 9: Chief Photographer
You have achieved a balance between your application of skillful technique and unique aesthetic approaches
You are able to fill the frame with visual elements that contribute to the main idea behind the image.
You know which photos to show and which one’s to hide
You have experience using natural light, LED, and other kinds of continuous artificial lighting
You are experienced and skilled with the use of flash/strobe lights in studio & on location settings
You have internalized the importance of great photography being about your subject, vantage point, and when you press the shutter release
You know how to use lighting modifiers like a flag, bounce card, umbrella, and soft box
You have become concerned about using the content in your photographs as a way to express something about your interests, ideas, or concepts
You identify with being a photographer and part of the photography community
Photography has become an important way of expressing your perspectives, ideas, and/or interests
Level 10: Senior Photographer
In the timeline of the history of photography, you understand to which conversation your work contributes
You are confident about which photos are best to use in your portfolio
You are able to identify contemporary and/or historical artists and/or photographers that inspire and inform your work
You are visually literate and able to derive meaning from what you see
You realize that your photographs have a lot to teach you about you
You realize that photography isn’t about photography at all. It is about making visible your philosophy, your vision, and your ability to think
You have gained an understanding of critical theory and how it relates to photography both historically and in the context of your own work.
You use your portfolio as part of an application for Graduate School or to apply for a career position.
You are on your way to becoming a:
Level 11: Masterful Photographer
What you do to move beyond this level is up to you!
Some levels require that you have experience in that topic. Other levels expect that you know certain information. If you aren’t sure whether or not you know the required information for a level, write down what you know and go to Google to find the answer.
Levels are based on knowledge, experience, and skill. As your work develops, you will gain insights that you can’t get any other way. By internalizing those insights and integrating them in your next photo session, you will move up in levels of skill and, at the same time, discover subtle clues about your own photographic identity as it becomes apparent within the imagery of your compositions.
When you eventually reach the level of Masterful Photographer doesn't mean you know everything about photography. It means that you have accumulated a lot of experience and knowledge and, importantly, you know how to apply those things to solve aesthetic, technical, and conceptual problems. Your understanding, knowledge, and skill level is above most people because you have dedicated a lot of time, attention, and energy learning and applying what you have learned. If you have achieved this level of recognition, then you have worked hard over a long period of time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary of Levels:
1: Novice Photographer
2: Beginning Student Photographer
3: Intermediate Student Photographer
4: Advanced Student Photographer
5: Emerging Photographer
6: Amateur Photographer
7: Developing Photographer
8: Principle Photographer
9: Chief Photographer
10: Senior Photographer
11: Masterful Photographer
Level 1: Novice
You make cell phone selfies as evidence that you were at an event, place, or with someone.
You have used a cell phone camera to capture photos and share them with others
You enjoy making photos of things that catch your eye
You have posted your photos to a social media platform
Level 2: Beginning Photographer
You have discovered that not all subjects should be placed in the center of the frame
You grasp the differences and similarities between your camera’s phone and a DSLR
You understand how the aperture controls how much light enters the camera and how it affects the appearance of your photos
You understand how a shutter controls how long light enters the camera and how it affects the appearance of your photos as depth of field
You know the differences between a jpg file, TIFF file, png file, and a DNG file format
You understand how ISO relates to the sensitivity of the camera’s CCD
You can recite a series of full stop aperture settings used on most lenses
You can recite a series of full stop shutter speed settings on a DSLR
Level: 3 Intermediate Photographer
You have discovered the critical importance of the background in your photos
You are familiar with the difference in the amount of light that is controlled by aperture and shutter speed stops
You understand how aperture, shutter speed, & ISO are used to acquire a desired exposure
How white balance and color temperature affects the color of digital images
You know how f-numbers relate to both aperture sizes and depth of field
You understand the relationship between your lens’ focal length and its angle of view
You know how and when to use your camera’s flash
You don’t really have a specific subject or concept as your main focus
You are able to use the basic editing tools of Adobe Lightroom or other digital editing tools, to refine your images
You are proficient at converting proprietary RAW files into DNG files
You can recognize digital noise and know ways to prevent it
Level 4: Advanced Photographer
You understand the different categories of lenses and how each will affect the appearance of your subject matter
You have experience capturing long exposures and time exposures
You understand the situations that will most affect your lens’ capacity for depth of field
You can recognize situations that will most likely trick your light meter and know how to compensate for those situations to get the exposure you want
You know when to use a tripod or alternative tool for steadying the camera
You know how to read a histogram and understand how to use its information for better exposures
You understand color theory as it applies to light, how a CCD records light, inkjet printing, and conventional chemical process printing
You are able to recognize, frame, and capture images in a way that creates visually unified compositions
Level 5: Emerging Photographer
You understand how exposure reciprocity works
You understand the parameters of dynamic range from highlights to dark shadows
You know how to use your camera’s light meter in all lighting conditions to get the exposure you want
You can recognize when an image composition incorporates the rule of thirds or other design principles
You understand that your skills and talents have monetary value
You are able to create and edit images to produce appropriate contrast
Level 6: Amateur Photographer
You are skilled with digital editing tools, like Adobe Lightroom, to prepare, refine, and enhance image files.
You can use Adobe Lightroom to convert color images to black and white
You know that your vision is most accurately expressed in black and white, color, or both
You understand the relationship between your camera’s CCD and focal length
You know when the magic hour is and how to use it to your advantage
You can identify and utilize each light in a three-point light set-up
You have experience with photographing a variety of subject matter, including people, landscapes, abstract, still life, and others
You can apply juxtaposition in a way that creates meaningful images
You know with certainty that critique is a valuable part of the photographer’s growth process
Level 7: Developing Photographer
You are able to use the language of critique to deliver perceptive, insightful critiques
You know which ISO to use to get the highest quality image for any given scene
You know the two qualities of light and their identifying characteristics
You have discovered at least 5 contemporary and/or historical photographers that inspire you
You have a working knowledge of Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority, and Manual modes
You are able to use lighting ratios to create a sense of form and texture
You are able to predict how a shutter speed will affect the appearance of your subject
You can predict the amount of focus any given aperture will produce for your most used lenses
Level 8: Principle Photographer
You want to make meaningful photographs
You approach your photography with intention but remain open to spontaneous opportunities
You know “why” you make photographs
You understand color management in relationship to your images files, the monitor, and printing
You have technical mastery over your camera and use it to get the visual outcomes you expect
You typically do detailed pre-production planning before going out to make photos
You know a variety of light modifiers and are able to use them as tools for lighting
You have established an efficient workflow from capture to final image product
You habitually photograph scenes using multiple angles, vantage points, and focal lengths
You know if you are primarily a black and white or color photographer. Or you are able to successfully use both.
You can easily size, sharpen, adjust contrast, and output image files in preparation for printing
You understand how to use aspect ratios to prepare your image file so you get the size and correct proportion of the print you want
You are able to use high dynamic range to bring detail into light and shadow areas
Level 9: Chief Photographer
You have achieved a balance between your application of skillful technique and unique aesthetic approaches
You are able to fill the frame with visual elements that contribute to the main idea behind the image.
You know which photos to show and which one’s to hide
You have experience using natural light, LED, and other kinds of continuous artificial lighting
You are experienced and skilled with the use of flash/strobe lights in studio & on location settings
You have internalized the importance of great photography being about your subject, vantage point, and when you press the shutter release
You know how to use lighting modifiers like a flag, bounce card, umbrella, and soft box
You have become concerned about using the content in your photographs as a way to express something about your interests, ideas, or concepts
You identify with being a photographer and part of the photography community
Photography has become an important way of expressing your perspectives, ideas, and/or interests
Level 10: Senior Photographer
In the timeline of the history of photography, you understand to which conversation your work contributes
You are confident about which photos are best to use in your portfolio
You are able to identify contemporary and/or historical artists and/or photographers that inspire and inform your work
You are visually literate and able to derive meaning from what you see
You realize that your photographs have a lot to teach you about you
You realize that photography isn’t about photography at all. It is about making visible your philosophy, your vision, and your ability to think
You have gained an understanding of critical theory and how it relates to photography both historically and in the context of your own work.
You use your portfolio as part of an application for Graduate School or to apply for a career position.
You are on your way to becoming a:
Level 11: Masterful Photographer
What you do to move beyond this level is up to you!