Creating the Photograph
In this technological age where pocket cameras and phones are producing
photographs with the quality comparable to that of a Hassleblad, I am ever
minded of the quote from Ansel Adams, “You don't make a photograph just with a
camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the
books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”
How often do these traits mentioned by Adams still hold true when the art of producing photographs has become as common as serving a prepackaged gourmet meal from the microwave. Looking over Adam's background, an early childhood devotion to music, an appreciation for the arts, plus a love for our natural environment greatly influenced his photography. Furthermore, Adams developed his mastery of photography through countless hours of reading, observing art exhibits and attending camera club meetings. During the time that Adams was perfecting his camera skills, he was also conditioning his body for the strength and stamina needed to carry the heavy equipment over rugged trails and higher elevations in Yosemite Valley, California.
At this point, maybe you are curious as to why I am making comparisons with Ansel Adams and present day photographers. I suppose it is due to the numerous requests that I receive from people who want to get in to photography and enjoy what I'm doing. As a seasoned professional photographer, I am always amazed by these requests, especially when it comes from a novice who thinks photography is the easiest art medium to pursue.
I get amused when I reflect over the times I stood in the freezing cold and waited for a photo that never materialized. Or the day I was out in the desert hiking with a backpack of camera equipment and a lightning storm was moving in. Yes, photography is easy when a snapshot is taken from the inside of a climate controlled car.
So over and above the fitness training that I perform on a daily basis, as with Adams, my photographs are a composite from my background in music, studies in fine art, a MA degree and countless hours perfecting my skill. I create my photographs by carefully composing the scene and then adjusting the exposure per the available light within the camera before I ever release the shutter. Shooting in the RAW mode, any additional adjustments are made to the photograph with Lightroom editing software.
My mentor once compared the making of a photograph to that of cooking a gourmet meal: the careful preparation and slow simmering to bring out the flavor of all the ingredients. How true I've found this to be when the photograph has that WOW factor and pops right off the wall.
What
an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love
it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get
treated to new experiences.
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Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.
"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"
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