Photography. When you picture a photographer, it’s always the camera that you see first, unlike when you’re asked to picture an artist or a great chef.
photo by Florian .
Unfortunately, this is part and parcel of the game of photography, where most people think that a great photographer is made up of great equipment and, to a much smaller degree, talent.
True photographic artists have the power to convey thoughts, ideas, feelings, and moods all based in one timeless and inspirational image. Captured in a millisecond by pushing down on that button. I have known photographers who are utterly obsessed with new equipment and all the wiz bang technology that comes out seemingly every day. What they fail to realize is that being technically adept is only one part of the puzzle. Bringing out the emotional side of your photographic art plays a large part in creating images that will wow your audience. The best images created are not always the most original, technically correct, or perfectly framed. Like any art form, the greatest images evoke some kind of emotional response in the viewer. The truly great evoke different emotions in different people at different times.
photo by Felice Rusconi
I have noticed in my own imagery the fact that my own underlying emotional state at the time of creation plays an enormous part in the emotional content that my final image conveys. With my paintings, I have had pieces that I just could not get back ‘into the groove of’ because it was just really hard to get back to the same emotional state that I was in when I began creating it—or ‘I wasn’t feeling it!’
With my photography, I found that I was able to take photos from places I had been to before and the whole vibe of the images was completely different to that of the previous ones.
Photo captured by Rhendi Rukmana; ISO 250, 1/200s.
It was akin to my own little aha moment in time. If in the passion for creating the imagery, the art was missing, then inevitably the result would be a very ho-hum, although technically correct, image.
One very quick way I’ve found to get out of this ho-hum state is to stop. Put the camera equipment down and just observe, enjoy, and be part of the moment. In next to no time you will find that you start firing on all cylinders and the creative juices kick in. That’s when you’ll be itching to pick up the camera again!
About the Author:
My crazy world has included successfully combining all the skills of a artist, photographer, designer, programmer, and marketer into one crazy life. I’m available for guest blogging, article writing and speaking events. Follow me in my crazy world via Facebook.
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I agree however, whatever I am photographing I just let myself go, let my imagination take over. I photograph just about everything and anything – if it catches my interest there has to be a reason for it so I just start looking at it from every possible angle, inside, outside, over, under. I also never look straight ahead to find my next subject, I take a 360 degree look. If I see a building – what is it that sparked an interest? I try to incorporate everything I see into that shot, doors, windows, the roof even – look at the angles, the patterns in shingles, are there some missing? Is the building in good repair or about to fall down, can I venture inside or try to get the best shot from a distance? I never, ever trespass, never put myself in danger or venture into the unknown but a good photograph will always tell a story, it should have character, and the picture should explain it all to the viewer. The most important thing, have fun, never be afraid of your camera and get out there and photograph the world.
You are damn right with your statement about equipment. I know people who make better portrait pics with their smartphones than me with my DSLR.