Call me weird, but my favorite perspective to use for composing a shot is one that looks as if the scene was captured from the view of a silent, invisible observer. Like a small creature following with curiosity, taking in the scene from an unseen vantage point. Not to seem creepy or anything, it's just a vantage point that renders something more to me. Hard to put my finger on it. (Perhaps you can articulate it better, or differently?)
Anyway, for example, the photo above....that little creature (me) was crouched at the gate peering into the arena watching the horses make wide dusty trails along the inside of the fence. She (the little creature) was happy to observe and remain invisible till the photo she saw in her mind's eye actually came to be.
The picture below... the small creature appeared on the road long after the horses and riders had passed. She silently knelt in the dirt and captured their retreat as if Time was caught lingering along the road still holding the previous moment.
I only share this because a couple of days ago someone asked me what camera I used because, in her words, I take such great pictures. The question did not irritate me at all, it just simply revealed a common misconception about photography. There are a gazillion people out there in photo-land that have spoken to this issue, so this is not new with me, but I can certainly attest to the truthfulness of the fact that:
YOU are the creator of a good photograph, not the camera.
YOU are the soul and spirit behind an image that speaks more loudly than the pixels or film upon which it is formed.
I believe this is true for any and all forms of creativity and expression and I only humbly speak from my own experience when I tell you that to try and attain that beauty from your art by any other road, other than the one that leads from your own heart, is less than satisfying. Really, it is. You might be successful, you might even be good, but you are lying to yourself and ultimately short changing yourself.
I have to remind myself of this almost every day. It is the only place I have found peace in what I create.
Hope this encourages you to find the YOU behind your art.
7 comments:
Thank you for the great reminder that WE created the photos, not the camera. A good reminder for me to look at things from different point of views. I tend to get stuck taking the same pictures from the same point of view. And then I wonder why I have a ton of pictures that all kinda look the same. Hahaha. :-)
Thank you.
I love reading your posts. And your photos are amazing!
well said T - i find it a bit insulting when i am told it must be the nice camera i have to take such great pics - it is an art and all about capturing the essence of the moment - the feeling you have at the time and wanting to share so desperately with others!
i have LOVED shooting from the hip more - and have gotten some fab images/moments that way! LOve you T and would love some time again soon.
erin stewart
I wish I had a little creature following me around taking photographs like that first one. WOWZEE!! Beautiful!! :)
Okay, I loved this, Tracey. First, I unlike you, usually get irritated when someone asks me what camera I use to get such nice pics. I'll be honest. It bugs me. I need to work on that. Just being real. :-)
I just got asked that the other day at work and someone kindof stuck up for me and said, "It's not the camera, it's the photographer. When someone cooks a good meal no one ever asks what kind of pots they use. It's all about the love that goes into it." I felt like she GOT it. And I was thankful for her kindness towards me by what she said.
YOU are so eloquent (as usual) in your words about this. I appreciate it so much.
And the photos....gorgeous. (As usual!)
Stunning.
wow... speechless over these photos!
they are insanely gorgeous and so full of a wonderful quiet mood. {the remind me of the wonderful quiet mood i'm in when i'm watching the movie horse whisperer... one of my all time favorite movies.}
also, i have had that discussion many time about the camera vs. the photographer... i'm still waiting for someone to ask me what kind of camera i use... i WANT someone to, because i'll take it as a compliment! {knowing what they really mean.} and that is why i am understanding of this common misconception, as well. plus, there is a tiny bit of truth to their question. i think a truly good photographer can take beautiful images with any camera... a phone camera or the nicest of d.s.l.r. cameras... thus, it shows the point that it is the photographer, not the camera.
but what i think people often mean is, "wow... your camera seems very professional... can do so much more with zoom, crispness, quality, color, d.o.f., exposure, etc. than mine can."
and even people who may not know the terms or bells and whistles that nicer, more expensive cameras can afford, they still know the difference when the see a photo like yours on your d.s.l.r. compared to one on their tiny point-n-shoot. and i think the majority of the time, that is what they are asking. i know this, because i have asked the question in the past myself... to someone who i knew had a much nicer camera than mine, but was not quite as artistic in his photography as i felt i was. but even with that being the case, i still felt there was a quality to his images that mine did not have. and that's why i DID ask what kind of camera he used.
so i have come to see it as a valid question, as long as they also understand just what you and many have said... you can have the nicest camera in the world, but that does not mean you will have beautiful photos. and then there is the whole debate about what makes a beautiful photo!... an entirely different can of worms i won't open up right now.
i know this... i, personally, think your photos ARE beautiful... stunning, really. and i can tell you have a great camera. i know enough about photography to be able to say that. but i've seen photos with cameras that are probably "nicer" than yours, but don't evoke as much emotion and awe as yours do.
oops... sorry to ramble on.
Georgia...I totally get what you are talking about bc I've done that too. When I began to shoot more and more I began to understand the difference in the quality of an image that came from a more expensive camera or, mainly a better lens.
I take it as a flattering question too bc I get the heart of what they are asking.
And btw, LOVE your ramblings. :)
t
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