I've always thought that empiricism is not enough to acquire Mastery in an art or a technique, and I am sure that the theoretical fundamentation is something crucial to advance and grow in the art of photography, but they are futile without PASSION.

In my process of self-teaching (about 2 years), I compiled hundreds of books (in digital or printed format), videos and tutorials about theoretical and technical issues of photography, and in this search, maybe the Internet has been the most valuable tool. On the web I found books in pdf format, which I can´t find in local libraries or bookstores. I have gathered so much information, to the point that until now, I have only been able to read or watch about 40% of it.

Because I work as a Biologist, and at the same time, I am in a postgraduated program (Master in Science), I can not devote many hours a day for photography and I usually shoot photos only at the weekend. Nevertheless, photography has become my obsession and I try to spend most of my free time in the learning of photography, and I must be honest, sometimes more. This addiction has become a essential part of my life.

As an advice to those like me, are begining their way in photography: We don´t have to believe everything that the web or even some Institutes of photography offers to us, either on the Internet, or in your city. Especially on the web, there are hundreds of books, online courses, tutorials, (free or not), and pseudo-profesionals saying that they can make you become a "professional photographer" in a short time.... but when you are actually growing in this art, you can realize that it is not so simple and that most of the "promises" are fallacies. We have to learn from the Masters not of the sellers or entrepeneurs. In this sense, I have to say that 1x Gallery is the exception, 1X has been, since I find it, my greatest source of inspiration and my way to self-correction. The 1X Gallery by itself, the Critique and Tutorials sections, are from my point of view, the most strong and important features of this awesome site of fine art.

My Greeting to all members of 1X, to me they are like a big family.


PAUL GÓMEZ SANDOVAL
www.paulgs.1x.com
paulgsphotography@gmail.com