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viewing 1 - 10 out of 13 total
My "nice camera"
Date: Aug 28 2008, 12:10 am Mood: Amused
I recently had the opportunity to donate one of my photographs to a local charity for a fund raising event. When I handed the photograph, mounted, matted, framed and behind glass, to the designated person receiving such things for the charity, she remarked, “Wow! You must have a really nice camera!”
I don’t think I’ve ever been so insulted in my entire life.
Yes, I do have a “nice camera.” In fact, I have several “nice cameras.” Some of them shoot film, some are digital. Some are a few years old, some I’ve just recently bought.
However, a “nice camera” doesn’t inevitably render any subject into a nice picture. I’ve taken some horrible shots with my “nice camera,” pictures that were out of focus, shot in poor light, with hard contrast or with dreadful composition along with a host of other ills. I have taken some spectacular and financially profitable photos with a cheap point-and-shoot camera too. A “nice camera,” while admittedly very helpful with its ability to manipulate many of the photograph’s properties, isn’t necessarily essential to taking a nice picture.
At the other end of the spectrum from “nice cameras” are so-called “pinhole cameras.” These, frequently homemade, consist of nothing more than a light tight box, often cardboard or even dark paper, a focal plane where film is mounted and, rather than a high quality optical lens, have instead a simple, literal “pinhole.” Even these mechanically minimalist cameras can take truly remarkable photographs. In the 4th century BC both Aristotle and Euclid wrote about pinhole cameras that occurred naturally, such as when light passed between crossed tree leaves or traveled through the slits of a wicker basket. Both described the astonishing images they could project against a flat surface such as a wall or a piece of slate. See http://www.mrpinhole.com for some great examples of more modern pinhole photography. Clearly then, the quality of the image created isn’t solely the proprietary property of expensive equipment.
Just as clearly, it becomes obvious that the quality of the image, both its technical as well as artistic properties, come from the skill and the imaginative, resourceful, and inspired eye of the photographer. The camera, expensive or cheap, isn’t itself going to recognize the delicate pattern of leaves silhouetted against the sunset, the delightfully innocent laughter of a small child or the blend of colors reflected and refracted from something as transparent as a waterfall. Without the talents of the photographer, the camera just becomes another paperweight, even dead weight.
Yes, the charity organizer is correct – I do indeed have a “nice camera.” I also happen to know that she sews. The next time I see her in a new dress, I’m going to comment that she must have a really nice sewing machine.
Jill
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Success is Scary
Date: Jan 29 2008, 10:42 am Mood: Happy
I think success is scary as all hell at times. For more than a year, I have been working hard at making photography a full time paying gig for me. Last March I had a very nice show where I sold about 8 photographs. I had my first real gallery showing in November, did an arts and crafts show in December, I'm exhibiting in Phoenix's famous "Art Detour" http://www.artlinkphoenix.com/alp/ this coming March, I'm an arts vendor at the up coming "Grand Desert Days Festival" in Morristown Arizona in April, I have another gallery showing in April, have had numerous small sales here and there, and, out of the blue, (they sought me out), a high-end wellness center in Scottsdale has commissioned me for 25 (it started out as 17) large photographs (up to 24 x 36) for their new center opening in February. Whew! This last deal is a huge sale, worth a LOT of money, (enough to buy a small car), and came completely unexpected. As to whether I could repeat something like that in the new future, I don't know, but for now it's pretty exciting. Still, all this activity is scary in some ways. It's like things are suddenly really happening. It's what I wanted, what I've worked hard for, yet, as it starts to happen, I feel nervous, even scared of all the sudden success. I suppose that is a "normal" feeling. But I'll assume that as my confidence grows in being able to market my photographs, those scary feelings may well fade. But for now, scary as hell as it looks at times, I must admit, it sure tastes sweet. Jill
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Richard Avedon
Date: Jan 17 2008, 12:59 pm Mood: Happy
Richard Avedon (1923-2004) in my opinion is probably the greatest portrait photographer ever. It has been said of him that he didn't take people's picture as much as he captured their soul. After seeing an exhibit of his works at the Phoenix Art Museum http://www.phxart.org/ this week, I believe it. There were prints of his fashion photography for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and other publications, and while very nice, they were not near as compelling as his portraits. He violated every rule of portraiture in making his shots, shooting very close in at times, "square" shots, one light source, etc., yet every one of them evoke the essence of the person to life. From the insecure smile of Marilyn Monroe to the insincere smile (read smirk) on the face of George Wallace, he does indeed capture that moment when the subject isn't posing, but rather is caught in that instant that they are simply being themselves. I don't really do much portraiture, but after seeing this exhibit, I think that's about to change. I feel a draw here, an urge that this is an area I want to experiment more in. He set an incredibly high bar though. If I'm ever good enough to be even half as good as him, I'll have accomplished much. Namaste, Jill
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Sunrise Overload
Date: Jan 09 2008, 12:45 pm Mood: Full of life
What is it about the sun that twice a day draws out photographers? I know, it's the beauty of each individual sunset or sunrise. Each is unique. Almost every one of them is pretty, but some are just breath-taking in their grandeur - the horizon filled with pinks, blues, reds, yellows, all in an ever changing kaleidoscope of sky presented free of charge by the sun twice a day. So, this morning I'm out early walking, just before sun up, taking along my camera named American Express (never leave home without it), when I am blessed with an especially spectacular sunrise. Of course I take a more than a few pictures, moving along, looking for the right position to take the next shot before the sky changes again in a matter of seconds. Back home I upload my images and take a first peek at this mornings results. Nice. Perhaps too nice. The problem with sunset and rises is that they are such an "easy" target. Everyone shoots them - for the same reasons I do - they're beautiful. I look over my portfolio and I see a preponderance of them - Sunrise/set sensory overload. Maybe I should start sleeping in more in the mornings. Nah! Jill ps, I uploaded some new photos this morning, (no sunrises though.)
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Happy New Year
Date: Dec 31 2007, 3:17 pm Mood: Creative
The last day of the year. A long year it has been, too, in many ways. For 2008 I want to be more creative, learn more about my craft, and take more opportunities to take great photos. So much to do, so little time, lol. Anyway, today I uploaded one page, (nine entries) of new photos taken in the last several weeks. I hope you enjoy them. Going out to dinner with friends early this evening, but I'll probably be in bed and asleep by 9. So much for ringing in the new year. May you and yours have a most Happiest and Prosperous of New Years. Jill
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Jill's Jottings
Date: Dec 15 2007, 6:29 pm Mood: Full of life
Life has been crazy of late. I've had two shows back to back, and am getting ready for at least two showings this spring. One a street fair, another a gallery showing. I hate it when being creative (i.e. getting out and doing some shooting with the camera) has to take a back seat to marketing my stuff. But, doing so ultimately does support me in getting and doing some shooting. There's irony for you. I've posted a new page (9 pix) of things I've shot this last fall. I hope you enjoy them. Namaste, Jill
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Jill's Jottings
Date: Nov 20 2007, 4:14 pm Mood: Creative
I recently spent two weeks in Texas, where I took over 2300 pics. Thank goodness digital "film" is cheap!! I've posted 2 pages (18). Let me know what you like, and what you don't like. Jill
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Jills Jottings
Date: Oct 30 2007, 11:34 am Mood: Creative
Howdy Y'all, I had a great time on vacation in Texas, where I took, much to my SO's chagrin, over 2300 photos. Some of which you can see this coming Friday. I have an exhibit opening Friday, on Phoenix's First Friday Art Walk, November 2nd at the Soul Invictus (unconquered soul) Art Gallery, 1022 N. W. Grand Ave, Phx. The exhibit runs thru December 2nd. I'll have over 60 photographs on display, most a bit Avant-Garde and some that, I have been told, are "Totally Outrageous." If any of you live in the Phoenix area, please drop by on your Friday night travels. I think you'll enjoy it. See you there, Jill | Leave Comment
Jill's Jottings
Date: Sep 17 2007, 9:47 pm Mood: Creative
I posted a few new pics, mostly of either birds or water or both. And also bought a new toy, a Nikon D40x, 10.1 mgp. Having a lot of fun with it, great little camera. Some of the new pics were shot with it.
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Jills Jottings
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