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Timely Advice
May 04, 2006
Untitled ~ Canon 30d
Untitled ~ Canon 30d
Untitled ~ Canon 30d
Untitled ~ Canon 30d
Amazing, aren't they? I found these Arisaema Sikokianum at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Virginia a couple weeks ago. I loved them so much, I drove all the way out there the next day to shoot them a second time. In total, I think I spent at least 2 hours shooting these creatures. Photography ~ the kind of photography that extends beyond a mere snapshot ~ often requires a fully atuned and present attention. If you're only willing to spend 1/60 of a second to study your subject, you shouldn't be surprised if your images look less than happy. Most of the time, a subject needs to be studied in a variety of lighting conditions to capture a good one. To take these images, I had to set up a tripod and contort myself in a variety of positions to get the right angle. Really ~ photography should be more than just photoshop and mirrors.
Just last night, I was talkin' to Photographer Rob, who, unlike me, took up this craft after the digital revolution. I learned photography eons ago in the 1980's ~ suffering through numerous bouts of fixer-induced contact dermatitis in the darkroom. Rob, (because he knows not what he does), likes to say things like, "Film is dead!" which makes me want to kick him square in the nuts. I can't quite bring myself to do this because 1. He lives in Cape Cod, and 2. I'm rather fond of him, and 3. I myself, haven't shot a film image since 2001. 4. I'm a web designer, for god's sake! I'm a professional pixel-pusher.
For the most part, Rob just revels in stirring the pot and watching the smoke come out of my ears, but after many fervent discussions, he's come to realize, at least in part, my superior way of thinking.
;)
Old Camera Crone that I am, I'm going to share this superior way of thinking. So here goes my unsolicited monologue ~
Hands down, nothing beats digital in terms of ease of use, and instant gratification. You can shoot a hundred images and flip through them while waiting at a traffic light on the way home in your SUV. Digital makes you feel powerful, magical and strong. Unlike an SUV, it protects the enviornment from nasty chemistry. In many ways, digital totally rules. Digital saves me a heap of money in film and printing costs, and more importantly ~ TIME. Digital is awesome. But, as someone who used to shoot professionally with film for several years, I must say, it's just not the same. I didn't say it's inferior ~ just not the same. It's sort of like trying to compare painting with oils to watercolor. Different tools, different canvases. The artist chooses the tools that are appropriate for the job and speak to them.
I could drone on about the differences in sharpness and the beauty of the variety of films I used to choose from, their color and unique film grain. I loved Tri-X black and white. It's was SUCH a good film. Digital will never replicate it ~ it can't. It's like comparing apples and oranges. Each method of capturing an image has it's assortment of pluses and minuses. What we will find in the end is film photography will become a specialized "antique" process reserved mainly for fine art photographers who are in love and committed to it. Perhaps this is as it should be. If you've ever looked at an 8x10 photograph created directly from an 8x10 negative by a master photographer, you would agree ~ large format photography should only be reserved to the gods who manage to master it.
This is where Rob used to begin scoffing me. See ~ there's a huge dividing line between digital photogs and traditional die-hards. I fall someplace in-between because I simply know better. *grin* Those of you who would like to shoot better photographs and can't seem to make any progress with your digital cameras should pull up a chair and bring me a scotch on the rocks ~ this is important secret information you probably won't find anywhere on the internet, because all anyone writes about is megapixel this and optical zoom that ~ with cocky male photographers trying to outdo the size of each other's flash cards. (A lot of photographers have sensitive egos, and have a knack for exposing them in highly annoying ways. After graduating from art school I swore I'd never date another photographer because they were all so egotistical and completely annoying ~ the male ones, that is.)
*grin*
You see, photography is one of those art forms that requires mathematical understanding, but to be a good photographer, you must understand it with your heart, and see through the lens with your soul. Luckily, Rob happens to be one of the open-hearted photographers ~ if you can get the viewer to feel something when they look at your image, then there's a very good chance you've taken it with your soul. And ~ you don't have to be a professional to successfully shoot a soulful image. Anyone can do it, but it takes the discipline of learning the craft of photography to become consistently good at it.
A lot of photographers master the technical/mathematical/equipment part really well, but if you stop there, and start boasting about your accomplishments, that's when you become a highly annoying photographer. Since the digital models have taken so much of the mathematics out of the mix ~ you can get a pretty good image even while shooting with your eyes closed and pouring cream in your latte ~ more and more (alas!) people are imagining themselves as Ansel Adams in their heads. STOP IT! DON'T GO THERE! ANSEL and WESTON were GODS! They were incapable of shooting with their eyes closed! Go to a gallery and look at an exhibit you MORONS!
*grin again*
Now, I'm not a master, nope, no way, no how ~ but over the course of my life as an artist, I have picked up bits of creative wisdom here and there. I can try to point the way and guide you... but it's one of those things ~ you sort of have to practice, practice, practice, and study photographers' work you admire 'til you stumble upon a voice of your own.
The difference between shooting with digital vs. film ~ the difference that matters ~ the difference that will make or break you as a photographer ~ is the difference in mindset a photographer has when shooting her subject. Digital makes you think you don't have to think very hard. Let the camera take the picture itself. There's no film, it's immediately there, if the screen on the back of the camera tells me it's out of focus or badly composed, why... I'll just shoot another... and another! If the white balance is off... or it's not exactly in focus... I always have PHOTOSHOP to solve all my problems.
I've seen it happen in myself. Without the restriction of expensive film and processing, it's very easy to fall into the trap of mindlessly approaching your subject and simply clicking a button. Taking a good picture requires clearly seeing your subject and studying it. Yes, with years of experience, one learns which lens to choose and can intuit the best angles, but ~ the thing that will push your images to a whole new level will be approaching your camera, your subject, the creative practice ~ mindfully.
Art doesn't just happen. Ususally it's fun, and sometimes it feels easy, but for the most part, to make good stuff, you gotta concentrate and actually think about what you're doing. From the time I got my very first Pentax K1000 with a 50mm lens as a junior in high school, I've been acutely aware of something ~ to get lost in one's art, to really hunker down and plant oneself into creating something out of one's soul ~ is a creative prayer, and most definitely, a form of meditation.
The thing I am most grateful for as an artist ~ abundantly grateful for ~ is the way I see the world around me. It's a bit funny ~ this Buddhist path I'm padding my way upon. Funny, because I keep hearing people say how it opens their eyes to the present moment and seeing the beauty, here in the moment that always surrounds them. In one way or another, I've always been doing this. It takes time to make friends with a flower ~ to understand it ~ to love it enough to record it and share it with someone else. Art is a gift the artist first give s herself, and then puts on display as a gift to the world.
Posted by vincent at May 4, 2006 10:15 PM
Comments
Fixer-induced contact dermatitis sounds terrible. I get a rash whenever I touch cardboard. I think it's a dermatitis thing.
I don't know anything about photography, but what you are saying definitely applies to writing. I feel writing is the closest I get to a meditative state.
Posted by: Lynn at May 4, 2006 11:40 PM
These flowers are so cool:) What I really like about them is the sequence of them in your post...you keep seeing more and more of this whatever-it-is, and then you see two of the whatever-they-ares from a bit farther away.
As my Robert says, "oooooooh, pwetty";)
Posted by: tamara at May 4, 2006 11:42 PM
When the lighting behind becomes as automatic as...
Well said, Susan.
(Ah, the smell of acetic acid in the evening...)
Posted by: dan at May 5, 2006 01:00 AM
Even with the ability to "fix" photos, one has to know how to see what they are framing and you have such a talented eye Susan. Again, words fail me...
Posted by: samtzmom at May 5, 2006 06:44 AM
Lynn ~
I'm thinking ~ cardboard-induced contact dermatitis could go on your 365 Acts of Quirkiness.
:)
Posted by: Susan at May 5, 2006 08:26 AM
you heart not only shares it sees beautifully as well, these are images from heaven I am certain!
Posted by: tongue in cheek at May 5, 2006 03:26 PM
This is so good. So. Good.
Posted by: spookyrach at May 5, 2006 04:41 PM
i love this! as someone who has just recently taken up the hobby/art of photography i truly appreciate your words. this is what you won't find in a photography book. have you ever considered offering an on-line course that would combine the science and the soul of photography? i would certainly be interested in taking one. :)
Posted by: la vie en rose at May 5, 2006 05:47 PM
Fabulous images and wonderful advice! Just like "life."
Posted by: jzr at May 6, 2006 08:25 AM
I refused to buy a digital for ever.. because I just didn't like the "feel" of them. But, then I began to see photos by people like you and SuperHero and knew it could be done.
Posted by: aola at May 6, 2006 08:15 PM
Images are absolutley breathtaking. They remind me of Georgia O'Keefe in a way but the pictures much more animated and actually living for they are in motion. Your words are filled with soul. I cannot "see" through a lens the sights your soul sees, yours is a fabulous gift. I meditate and see with my soul when I paint or otherwise create something so I know exactly what you are saying is true.
Posted by: janet at May 8, 2006 03:15 PM
Always a joy to see God through the lens of your camera and to read your comments.
You are truly gifted.
God bless
beth
Posted by: beth lemieux at May 12, 2006 08:15 AM