Fountain Paint Pot, Yellowstone
A few days ago I announced my October Workshop in Chicago on Facebook. The photo I used to promote the workshop was an infrared image I took in Lincoln Park of the famous statue of General Grant riding his horse. A discussion broke out about the merits of photographing statues and a comment was made, “a postcard will do”. I must say I got a little chuckle out of it because the intention was to promote the workshop, not start a discussion on “do we like or dislike photographs of statues.” But, since we’ve gone there, and it is my Fan Page, I guess I’m going to weigh in on this one. My feeling is this: photograph whatever your heart desires, if it’s flowers then shoot flowers, if it’s people then shoot people and if it’s landmarks such as statues then shoot statues. Many years ago, I use to thumb my nose at glamour photographers. Not because I thought I could do better job, but simply because glamour photography wasn’t my thing. However, as time has passed and I’ve matured as a photographer, I realize we all have our passions in life and to each his own. Now, the timing of this discussion was perfect because I happened to be in Yellowstone when it was taking place. For many years now, I’ve passed over the four for a dollar postcards of Yellowstone’s iconic images in search of something I can call my own. My personal preference is, if I’m there then I’m taking the shot and placing my own creative stamp on it, whether that be a landscape or a statue. There are many people that would rather buy a postcard then take a snapshot and that’s a good thing because I would hate to see a ton of professional stock image photographers out of work. So, I think in the end it’s really a question personal taste and motivation. I just happen to be one of those guys that if I’m there, and have camera in tow, then I’m taking the image, whether it be a statue, a building, a mountain or parade. At the end of the day, I’m a photographer and that’s what I do, take photos.
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I totally agree! Everywhere I go, if I’ve got my camera or even my cell phone, if I see something that I like or catches my eye..I take a picture of it! I Find things like broken gates and old fire hydrants beautiful, so I shoot that! I know I can always go back and look at something again, but I love to capture things from my point of view and sometime that means lying on a sidewalk to get an angle that apeals to me, and probably ONLY me! ha! But that is why I take photos so that I have a little recored memory of how something made me feel and of the beauty all around me.
P.S. The photo above is amazing and gorgeous!
Why use someone else’s photo when yours is just as nice, or better. I am currently putting together one of those online photo albums to be printed in a book. I took way too many photos and sorting has been by biggest lesson. In this situation I am using all my own photos whenever possible. There are a few shots that I either did not take, because the weather or the animal did not cooperate. or I just plain missed. For those that complete the story and just need to be there I have no problem using the stock photos offered. However to me my own photos are just as good if not better, just because they are mine and they can include a family member looking at the postcard shot.
I think when people make comments like that (a postcard will do), they’re either feeling jealous or insecure about their own photography skills (or lack thereof). Perhaps?
Photographers are artist’s, no need to buy a postcard when we can create our own image. SILLY!!
Postcards are great for people that do not feel they are able to take a “good enough” photo, or are not able to get to the location where the postcard was taken. Plus there are people that still like getting postcards in the mail from family and friends traveling. Personaly I take the photo myself.
I have to admit, I’ve bought a postcard or two to supplement a missing shot in a place I might not get back to. I do think a photographer should photograph whatever interests them. No reason not too.
I have developed a lot of varied interests over the years. Crafts, sewing, cooking, painting, drawing, and even had items placed in a museum for viewing, but my most loved photography. I love the picture above. The only thing I don't like about it is 'I wasn't the one to take it'. Absolutely beautiful. I have taken pictures in the past that I have been told look like a postcard. But, you know what, if so, that was my postcard. Most postcards that attract my eye are beautiful. But, a postcard lacks the story of how it came to be. How you climbed a rock to get the perfect shot or laying on the ground to in the rain to just get that prize winning photo. I love my photos because they have feeling to me, postcards are lovely to look at and share, but don't have the same feeling to me. I like to photograph old weathered trees and wonder of its history, old buildings for the same reason. I love to photograph flowers for there beauty and to know they are the beautiful ones I grew and will last more then a season, like my 10 inch hibiscus blooms. I even like to photograph statues…not straight on shots but with perspective. I like to purchase new filters and lenses and see how they can enhance a photo. I am a person who is not afraid to try anything new, I just got back from a cruise to Mexico and I know I didn't see everything I would have liked to photograph. I bought some postcards of these places hoping someday I will return to actually take my own pictures of the same things, only from different angles and from a different perspective.