Have you ever thought about how photography impacts you? I'm not referring to the business side but the personal side. Something inspired us to pick up the camera at some point in our lives. When you used it for first time, did you already know that you would have the eye, the passion for photography? Did the desire to be behind the lens occur after seeing one of your first photos or did it evolve over time?
Photographers see the world differently. On road trips we see ‘stop the car now' moments that would never draw attention from 99.999% of the population. On a nature walk, we go from standing to laying horizontal on the ground. At airports, in buildings, we notice chairs, patterns and lines. We see literally and abstractly. We see character in peoples faces, wildlife emotion, beautiful bokeh, color, with perspectives that cross the gamut. We see in color and black and white. Photography is a way of observing, absorbing and forever (thanks to digital and photograph restoration) storing a moment.
“Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.” ― Marc Riboud
Photography is work. It involves patience, a fresh eye and the diligence to work the shot at the onset and take it all the way to post processing. When we photograph what moves us in the moment, what stirs the passion inside us…it shows in the outcome not only to us but the viewer as well.
Happiness
Seeing children at play takes us back into a time when we were on school grounds or in playgrounds with our buddies enjoying a spring, sunny day.
Photo by David Robert Bliwas
Feeding the Addiction
A photographer sees the beauty in food as a subject (and dessert). Seeing this cheesecake prompted a quick visit to the pantry to find the Nutella.
Photo by Dustin Gaffke
Solitude
There are times when we travel with other photographers. Other times it's a solo gig. The alone moments, particularly in nature, are conveyed in many different ways. A solo kayak peacefully glides through the reflection of the sky on a vast and quiet lake.
Photo by Jamie McCaffrey
“I wish I could do something”
National Geographic, other global and interest-specific media have opened our eyes to the beauty, diversity, struggles and life around the globe. Articles and images that we saw long ago still resonate within us.
There are plights that move us and inspire us to donate time, money, clothing, food and animal care needs, to educate and to help.
Photo by Transformer18
Explore
All you need to do is “Google” a destination or an interest area and a host of images will appear. Travel photography spans a few miles to thousands of miles to share your unique view of the sights that may be unseen or unnoticed by others. Do check out this post: How to Be a Tourist in Your Own City and Capture Remarkable Photos.
Travel photography may not always be about the location. Instead it may be sharing what's happening when we take our shoes off and relax a bit.
Photo by Tobias Lindman
Thinking
Photographs may give us pause. A time out to enjoy the moment, the memory, the feeling that's been invoked. Thinking is good. Photographers make their subject (and in this case, words on paper) resonate with the viewer.
Noticing Details
As a bird and nature photographer, I'm jazzed to get out there early and start seeing the world as it wakes up. Birds, landscapes, wildlife are amazing subjects in their entirety. Their individual features are also incredible. We see the small things and introduce others to their beauty.
The pelican is a large, almost prehistoric looking bird. They are known for their huge wings, massively long bill and distinct gliding flight patterns. However, their faces, their eyes have so much detail. I think of them as the ‘wise, interesting old men from the sea'.
Photo by Sheen's Nature Photography
Their feathers, complex, rich in an almost monochromatic scheme, make for a beautiful abstract.
Photo by Sheen's Nature Photography
Happy Bubble
Photographs spread infectious energy. Watching and photographing sports and group events presents both challenges and rewards. Whether or not she won the race, does it matter? Her smile, expression says “winner” and “happy to be here” all the way!
Photo by Micadew
For a plethora of inspirational quotes on photography by photographers, the site Good Reads has a link to 400 photography quotes.
The critical elements such as light, composition, subject, post processing are important in each image. The emotion that is felt and conveyed by the photographer is a huge factor between a good and great photograph.
When you think of your best images, what separates those from the others you've taken?
Photo by Mohamed Muha
Here's to all of us on keeping our lenses open and allowing the initial passion to stay with us so we keep our perspectives fresh and new!
15 Comments
I love it and it loves me back by helping others love it too. check out http://www.500px.com/alanschererphotographer to see my vision.
Hi Alan – I checked out your site. Terrific street images, talent and use of black and white. I really liked the photo of the play equipment that I think is on a school ground. Thanks for sharing!
I would love to learn tricks of the trade ~ Just bought a new digital camera and WANT SO badly to learn how lighting, framing, setting etc play into a wonderful photograph!
Try Tony Northrup’s Dslr Book: How to Create Stunning Digital Photography, I’ve bought loads of books before but his I keep coming back to, it explains things in a friendly way and he doesn’t expect you to buy lots of expensive things! There are lots of how to’s on the net of course. Apart from that capture as much as you can, play with you camera settings on a bored day and see how it changes to image so when you see the perfect shot you know how to set you camera, join photography groups for the kind of photography you like and don’t be afraid to post your own images up… Others on there will give you advice on how to get the best from your photography and most importantly don’t be disheartened by mistakes!
Lovely aritcle.
Very well said. As photographers, we do see things in ways that most people do not, much in the same way that a painter sees the world, but I think just a bit beyond. Our task and our joy is to bring those visions to others through our art. And yes we are artists, not merely technicians.
Thanks Michael!
Great read there and so true, we do see the world in a different way, and I for one am so glad of the internet as some days I feel I would burst if I could not share the vision with others.
Hi Ca – thank you – I understand that bursting emotion. That’s what I feel every time I’m out with nature camera in hand 🙂 Have a great week.
ps If you want to see the world through my eyes, facebook.com/hugsphotographic
This is spot on. Being a photographer has opened the world to me in a whole new way. I see beauty everywhere and it induces extra gratitude for the little bits of magic that most other people don’t even see.
Hello Caiti….thanks for your comments….agreed, thankful for every moment behind the lens!
There is much to be said for learnng the basics of Photography first and foremost. Until the process becomes intuitive. As you do your eyes will learn to “see” differently. Also I am certain that life experiences can help to shape how we “see” the world….
Being a 2x Cancer Survivor …I see the World differently now …than I did pre-cancer…
And it has had an impact on my work.
Rick – thanks for sharing and congratulations on being a 2X cancer survivor! Agree with your comments too. Enjoy the week:)
It is one thing to be a good photographer and have the feelings, inspiration and vision that we seem to have that others don’t, but I have a really hard time describing it in words, Your description of the feeling and desire is perfect. You are smack dab on it for sure. I will keep your article for inspiration, and maybe when someone asks me why I am a photographer, I will be able do a better job in explaining just what that drive and desire is. Thank you .
Great article. Sometimes it is difficult being the only photographer in the group….nobody else “gets” it. What we see,or how we see it. I think Annie Liebovitz said…and I’m paraphrasing…..”It’s something that’s always on. You can’t turn it off.”