Gina Milicia
When I began studying photography, it was my goal to learn as much as I could as fast as I could. I watched all the You Tube video tutorials I could find. Constantly looking for more info to consume, I knew I had several hours a day that I was able to listen to the information I needed, hoping it would sink in. I tried all kinds of podcasts about photography. A lot of them seemed dry and boring.
Then I found “So You Want To Be A Photographer”, hosted by world renown Australian portrait photographer Gina Milicia and her best friend, journalist Valerie Khoo. Alright, so I didn’t want to be a PORTRAIT photographer, but I figured the principles being taught are the same.
I started from episode 1 and began binge listening every chance I had. An hour drive into work, 10 hours while at work and an hour ride home. I was obsessed with absorbing all the wisdom Gina had to offer. On one occasion, while driving into work, I was so enthralled in the conversation, that I missed my exit and got lost.
As most people do when they first pick up a camera, I was shooting everything in JPG file format. I figured I was not professional and had no idea what RAW meant. I also didn’t have access to all those fancy editing programs that the pros have. Gina explained to me that it didn’t matter if I don’t have those programs right now. Eventually, I would and I could learn how to use them. Once I studied that, then I could go back and enhance all those photos. The first step was to switch the camera to RAW + JPG.
Because Gina was so generous in sharing her knowledge, it inspired me to give back where I could. I later wrote an article about this very subject called “RAW POWER”. That was the very first thing I was ever taught about photography and it is always the first thing I ever tell new photographers starting out. That little bit of information is SO invaluable.
There were so many things I learned by just listening to what she had to say. She taught me about how to use my focal length and about the style of bookeh (where the background is completely blurred out brining more attention to the subject), to use a dummy as a guinea pig while learning my camera, the list really could go on and on.
I had joined the Facebook group associated with her podcast so I could also learn from other people who had once been in my shoes. I would upload my photos regularly just to see where I stand. When Gina herself, not only liked one of my photos but COMPLEMENTED me on the reflection, I was just so overjoyed!
While scrolling through Facebook this week, I came across a post that I never thought I would see. Podcast Co-host Valerie Khoo informed the community that Gina had passed away. It has hit me hard that someone that has taught me so much without ever knowing me, is suddenly gone. That night I listed to a marathon of her show, still in shock and disbelief. She was so full of life and energy. Although I am not very good verbally, I hoped one day that I would be asked to be on that show and then I would have known that I made it.
The only saving grace I can take from this is that we all learned so much from her. I know I, for one, am a better photographer BECAUSE of Gina Milicia. This is not the end of Gina though. I know that her legacy lives on in those podcasts and I know that future generations of photographers will still be able to learn the lessons she so generously taught. So long Gina, go and take the biggest portrait of all, God is all made up and ready!
Please take a moment to enjoy some of Gina’s work:
https://www.ginamilicia.com/
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©2022 Grazie Santangelo. All Rights Reserved
