Reflecting on Prom Photography Journey

Prom night – a timeless event filled with laughter, elegance, and a touch of magic. As a more new photographer, there's no better opportunity to flex those creative muscles than capturing the essence of this special evening. This year, armed with my camera and a year's worth of learning, I embarked on the exhilarating journey of photographing some more Prom photos.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was the chance to reflect on my work from Prom 2023. Flipping through those images was like revisiting a chapter of my photography journey—a chapter marked by growth, exploration, and countless lessons learned.

One lesson I have learned this past year is the technical aspects of photography. I've come to appreciate the crucial role that ISO, shutter speed, and depth of field play in achieving the perfect exposure. Each adjustment contributes to the final image, allowing me to convey the mood and atmosphere of the moment with precision. With that said, it is still very much a learning curve. I took photos inside for prom. And although I was adjusting my settings, I am used to outside light. This made adjusting a bit more difficult for me. I plan for next time to adjust my ISO more and adjust my Depth of Field to reflect how large of the group I am photographing is. As I forgot to change my settings when I went from a large group to a couple.

As I captured the enchanting moments of Prom 2024, I couldn't help but marvel at how far I've come. The subtle nuances in composition, the refined understanding of lighting, and the mastery of exposure settings—all testament to the progress made in just one year.

However, the journey doesn't end here. Prom night served as a reminder of the boundless possibilities awaiting exploration in the realm of photography. With each click of the shutter, I'm propelled further along the path of discovery, hungry for knowledge and eager to refine my craft.

Looking ahead, I'm excited to embark on the next phase of my photographic journey: flash photography. The prospect of mastering artificial lighting opens up a world of creative possibilities, allowing me to sculpt light and shadow with precision. I plan to start with a cold shoe flash and work my way up to external flash units that go off with the shutter. I would love to eventually implement this with sports portrait photos as that seems to be one of the subjects I enjoy the most.

As I bid farewell to Prom 2024, I carry with me a treasure trove of memories immortalized through the lens of my camera. And with each new adventure, I am reminded of the transformative power of photography—a power that allows us to pause, reflect, and celebrate the beauty of life in all its fleeting glory.