I love making photographs. I try to make a picture (at least one) every day and for the most part, except for some instances when I was in the hospital or otherwise just unable, I have made a photograph every day since 1973. And no matter how good I become at photography, I have realized I cannot and will not ever really master it. And that is the truth. So I am very fulfilled by photography, but it also kicks my ass sometimes. That’s just the way it goes.
Category Archive: Inspiration
Throughout my photographic career, at every turn where I found a bit of success, there was one constant. One thing that set me apart. And I’ll let you know right now it wasn’t because I was talented.
Sorry – none of these tips involve buying a magic camera. But if you try them, based on my own experience, they will help you become much better at producing images that matter. And of course, these aren’t the only five steps that you will need to take in order to master photography, but they are a start.
I have finally come to the realization that my photo paintings are yet another attempt (in the sunset of my career) to find pure art in what I do. Fortunately, my avian subjects are works of art in their own right. Their creator having given these creatures unthinkable beauty that never bores me.
Learning how to see the final result before you press the shutter is maybe the most important step you can take to mastering photography.
It’s that moment where you grow as a photographer and no longer have to worry whether or not the picture “came out.” Your work becomes deliberate, rather than reactionary. You make pictures, you don’t just take pictures.
“It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter.” – Alfred Eisenstaedt
Great photographers show – they don’t tell. The more I hear a photographer explain why or what their image is about, the less likely I am to think it’s compelling.
Since it’s almost time to photograph hummingbirds in the Pacific Northwest, I thought I’d show everyone a few of the tricks I use and how I do my setups.
The first step is to get hummers used to coming to your yard to feed. Three months ago, I set up two feeders near the spot where I plan to do my hummingbird photography. I want the birds to get used to the feeders, me and the general area where I will set up my background and flashes.
So, I have decided to build out a corner of my home studio as a product studio so I can do both lay-flat and standard product shots. This will keep my photographic mind busy for a while and for that I am grateful.
The problem is, I don’t have much experience as a product photographer and prior to this month, no experience doing serious lay-flat work. I have been thinking back, and I can name all five times I was paid during my career to do product shots. They were mostly years ago before I specialized in birds, and none of them were remarkable.
If taken to its logical end, tribalism (fanboyism) leads to the demise of other brands, which in turn leads to a reduction in choice, which in turn leads to a slowdown in competition, which in turn leads to less innovation and lastly, fewer choice.
