You may not convey the sounds and the smells to your viewers, but I bet you remember them both intimately well each time you view your images. And to some degree, isn't that the magic of photography? And, even if you don't convey sounds and smells to the viewers, if they have an open mind and an imagination, and invest those resources in the interpretation of your image, then they too can experience the wonder of your images. That is a treasure too.
Really appreciate this one. Great thoughts well conveyed. Video can have it all over still images for storytelling. But who remembers Tank Man as video? The well regarded still image can hold all the power if only the viewer will look. I liked your description of the sounds and smells. Some years ago I was shooting thoroughbred horse racing and the powerful ground-shaking of the running horses was amazing. But not easily captured. Yet there were still images available to convey that, like the grim faces of jockeys covered in mud thrown up from the hooves of the horse in front. It depends a lot on really looking.
.. last thing - thought - or on my mind when shooting - is an audience, print or who might see the capture - that was over a half century ago & nothing’s really changed. What’s shot or written on Assignment or pure Spec is a completely different ‘thing’ ! At that point ‘Merit is in play.. and it’s a laugh just comparing the ‘substack member audience here plus all knowing Algorithm - to Professional Clientele as initial ‘audience haha ! They don’t ‘wanna’ - they Expect to See my ‘selects or ‘clips or rough cuts etc.. are paying me for them !
It’s in part why I claim this joint lacks effective RECIPROCITY .. & there’s no shortage of vanity or even ‘needy - or thin skinned ! Merit however - is crucial to a shooter / pro - the ‘work must stand on its own - WITHOUT much ‘talk or the explanatory narratives & opinionation. Substack reminds somewhat of minor league / house league - or even a world class mountain resort - a very tiny percentage (mainly locals) are elite level boarders / skiers - the rest are vast spectrum - a very cool but tiny segment are Ski Patrol !
Every ‘morning meeting’ I delivered footage samples & showed up to 50 select ‘stills - & sometimes a ‘time lapse treat’ - did I love what I was doing ? You betcha .. Did I have discussions in my head re ‘merit’ ? Or ‘the Hero Shot ? Or an ‘Unknown unsuspecting audience at a travel agency or Las Vegas casino or Brokerage Firm meeting ? No
Your examples are outstanding / astonishing .. (am green with envy) but I guarantee neither you or your readership will think too hard about shoot or don’t shoot - or the ‘framing seems off’ when it’s a 12 foot shark photobombing a shot from behind & underneath you in only nine feet of water .. 🦎🏴☠️📸
As always you have given me much to ponder. My direction and how I photograph has changed much too. Essence has become much more important than tack sharp “truth” in my practice. Perhaps it comes from being a frustrated painter and wanting to interpret what I see rather than “capture” it? I never want to get to precious or artsy about what I do and why I do it. I make photographs that I hope evoke the feelings and impressions in the moment I was there. I try at least. For me it is always in the trying.
Oh this is lovely. I miss film and b&w. I remember that feeling of passing on a shot. Also bc film was precious lol. Is this moment worth capturing and printing? I might apply that to digital photography again. 🤔 and even to pause and think about why I’m taking the photo and for whom. Lovely thoughtful essay thank you. And the elephant trunks and the stretching cheetah; absolutely stunning and intimate moments you’ve capture.
You may not convey the sounds and the smells to your viewers, but I bet you remember them both intimately well each time you view your images. And to some degree, isn't that the magic of photography? And, even if you don't convey sounds and smells to the viewers, if they have an open mind and an imagination, and invest those resources in the interpretation of your image, then they too can experience the wonder of your images. That is a treasure too.
Really appreciate this one. Great thoughts well conveyed. Video can have it all over still images for storytelling. But who remembers Tank Man as video? The well regarded still image can hold all the power if only the viewer will look. I liked your description of the sounds and smells. Some years ago I was shooting thoroughbred horse racing and the powerful ground-shaking of the running horses was amazing. But not easily captured. Yet there were still images available to convey that, like the grim faces of jockeys covered in mud thrown up from the hooves of the horse in front. It depends a lot on really looking.
.. last thing - thought - or on my mind when shooting - is an audience, print or who might see the capture - that was over a half century ago & nothing’s really changed. What’s shot or written on Assignment or pure Spec is a completely different ‘thing’ ! At that point ‘Merit is in play.. and it’s a laugh just comparing the ‘substack member audience here plus all knowing Algorithm - to Professional Clientele as initial ‘audience haha ! They don’t ‘wanna’ - they Expect to See my ‘selects or ‘clips or rough cuts etc.. are paying me for them !
It’s in part why I claim this joint lacks effective RECIPROCITY .. & there’s no shortage of vanity or even ‘needy - or thin skinned ! Merit however - is crucial to a shooter / pro - the ‘work must stand on its own - WITHOUT much ‘talk or the explanatory narratives & opinionation. Substack reminds somewhat of minor league / house league - or even a world class mountain resort - a very tiny percentage (mainly locals) are elite level boarders / skiers - the rest are vast spectrum - a very cool but tiny segment are Ski Patrol !
Every ‘morning meeting’ I delivered footage samples & showed up to 50 select ‘stills - & sometimes a ‘time lapse treat’ - did I love what I was doing ? You betcha .. Did I have discussions in my head re ‘merit’ ? Or ‘the Hero Shot ? Or an ‘Unknown unsuspecting audience at a travel agency or Las Vegas casino or Brokerage Firm meeting ? No
Your examples are outstanding / astonishing .. (am green with envy) but I guarantee neither you or your readership will think too hard about shoot or don’t shoot - or the ‘framing seems off’ when it’s a 12 foot shark photobombing a shot from behind & underneath you in only nine feet of water .. 🦎🏴☠️📸
As always you have given me much to ponder. My direction and how I photograph has changed much too. Essence has become much more important than tack sharp “truth” in my practice. Perhaps it comes from being a frustrated painter and wanting to interpret what I see rather than “capture” it? I never want to get to precious or artsy about what I do and why I do it. I make photographs that I hope evoke the feelings and impressions in the moment I was there. I try at least. For me it is always in the trying.
Oh this is lovely. I miss film and b&w. I remember that feeling of passing on a shot. Also bc film was precious lol. Is this moment worth capturing and printing? I might apply that to digital photography again. 🤔 and even to pause and think about why I’m taking the photo and for whom. Lovely thoughtful essay thank you. And the elephant trunks and the stretching cheetah; absolutely stunning and intimate moments you’ve capture.
Great post and great images. A lot to think about.