Philosophy

Is Photography Art?

Shamu famous painter in India.

I almost failed art class. I almost failed drafting class. Yep, it’s true. I stink when it comes to anything that requires dexterity, creativity and my hands. I’ve always been incredibly jealous of people that can paint or draw.I guess one could argue the image is our canvas and Lightroom is our brush. I tend to be in the camp that photography is art. What do you think….art or science?


Mining old images

Wyoming (Canon 20D infrared, 1/800 at f/7.1, 25mm, ISO 100)

Now that I’ve amassed a photo library approaching nearly 75,000 images, I’m finding myself going back to review my not so obvious choices. The one sure fire way to look at an image in a new light is consider playing with some preset.


When did your journey begin?

The Chief

All of us remember our first kiss, our first real car, maybe even our first camera, but do you remember the very first image that spoke to you as a photographer?


Making of The Image Part 2.

Original

Today’s blog is all about what goes into my processing. Selecting a final image to work with has a lot to do with composition, exposure and feel.


Keeping an open mind

The Chicago Art Institute

It’s taken me many years to truly understand the phrase “art is in the eye of the beholder.” I think being a photographer has not only helped me tolerate, but more importantly, appreciate and accept many different forms of art.


Be Water My Friend

(1/125 at f/2.8, 50mm at ISO 400)

The ability to troubleshoot and improvise are every bit as important to a photographer as his or her equipment. So, when you’re going on a shoot always try to plan. Try to think of your shots in advance and plan accordingly.


Why do you take photos?

Osaka Sumo, Kajsa Stolberg (1/25s@f/5.6, 80mm, ISO 400)

I’m looking at last week’s poll results and understanding that, yep, e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e. voted that they would take photos even if no one ever saw them. So, why do you take photos?


Would you still take photos?

Sunsets and Sailboats, adjusted using Lightroom preset

How important is your viewer’s reaction to your work? Would you still take photos if no one ever saw them?


Storytelling

Iva and her sister Rose support their family with sales from their weaving

A  few days ago I touched on the subject of using a photograph to tell a story.  I’m a big believer that a well crafted photo can tell a story in a single frame. However,  in many cases it’s a series of well framed photographs that come together to communicate our vision of the story [...]


Vision in the rearview mirror

The Backgrounds

When I was much younger one of my favorite things to do with my family was taking Sunday drives.  We would load up in the station wagon and head out on some aimless cross county (yes, not country…county)  trip in Northern Michigan.  I would sit in the back seat harassing my sister, chatting with my [...]