Guy Tal Photography Newsletter
August, 2008
All text and images Copyright © Guy Tal.
 Hard to believe summer is almost over, though not so hard to get excited about autumn being right around the corner. Soon the maples and aspens will put on their colorful displays, the first dusting of snow will chill the mountain air, morning frost will accent grasses and fallen leaves, and the desert canyons will become cool and quiet. Can you tell this is my favorite time of year?
Long-Lens Landscape Article in Outdoor Photographer Magazine
My article on long-lens landscape photography appears in the September, 2008 edition of Outdoor Photographer Magazine. The article is also posted on the OP web site. Those of you who have followed my work for a while know I tend to favor intimate compositions, and use medium-long lenses more than any other.
The Art of Enjoying What You Do
You can never please everyone, but you can drive yourself insane trying. A quick survey of photographic discussion forums might lead one to believe that nature photographers live in perpetual limbo, always in doubt, always in fear of doing the "wrong" thing, always struggling with questions of gear and technique and morals, always seeking other people's opinion on whether their work is worthy, whether the light is "right," whether it's "allowed" to do this or that in Photoshop, whether they should photograph the sunrise from this requisite spot vs. the other, whether an image captured on a product designed by chemical engineers is more or less "real" than one captured on a product designed by computer engineers, whether an image fits with a "personal style," whether it will win a high score on an Internet site, etc. - so much to get preoccupied about! So much that has nothing to do with merely being creative and inspired.
 Certainly there's nothing wrong with soliciting opinions and seeking critique and asking for advice on how to improve one's skill, but it's important not to get carried away. It's a worthy exercise to squelch the chatter for a bit and remind ourselves, every so often, why we practice nature photography to begin with. Every single nature photographer I know picked up a camera because they enjoy being outdoors, because they are inspired by natural beauty, and because they want to share their experiences with others. Do you remember the first time you were out in the field with a camera, all that time ago, and how exciting it was? How unencumbered you were by all those nagging topics that make for endless debates among photographers? Imagine having that same excitement, now that you actually have some skill! It can be done, if you get out there with the same state of mind. There's beauty out there to be found.There's a magical world out there to discover.
Heed the warning signs: if you find yourself in the field feeling like there's nothing worthy around you because it's not sunrise or sunset, or if you're convinced that your images will not be successful because you don't have this model camera or that red letter engraved on your lens, or if you'd rather go to a "sure thing" spot you saw a picture of somewhere, rather than explore and discover on your own - you are in danger! You are at risk of becoming jaded and frustrated and of losing the very thing that got you into photography to begin with.
Learn to let go of what other people say or think and let the scenery do the talking. Let it lure and seduce you and reveal itself to you. If you love what you do, it will show in your work, and if it shows in your work you will reach those people who can relate to the same beauty. There will always be those with ideas and thoughts on your art and your medium and your methods that are different from yours. There may even be those who will violently disagree and mock what you do. Accept it as inevitable and move on. There will also always be those who will appreciate the beauty you create.
Remember: when it comes to art, there are no absolutes. There are only opinions. It is the artist's prerogative to decide which opinions to accept and factor into their work, and which to discard. Decide for yourself how to practice your own art. Nobody else has the right to do it for you.
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