Comments on: Answering The Most Important Question

By: Alec Johnson

Alec Johnson — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:42:20 +0000

Hi Guy, this post is amazing and I’ve quoted and linked to it from my blog. I’ve been preaching this my self for some time, but you’ve articulated your feelings (my feelings) so clearly. THANK YOU.

By: Ars Gratis Artis | Guy Tal Photography Web Journal

Ars Gratis Artis | Guy Tal Photography Web Journal — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:54:13 +0000

[...] the question “what do I hope to achieve with my images?,” referring to it as “the most important question“. It dawned on me shortly after that I should have perhaps qualified it as the most important [...]

By: Erik Stensland

Erik Stensland — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:54:17 +0000

Fabulous article Guy! I often find myself sliding down that ugly path where it becomes all about capturing the image and in the process I forget the very reason why I became a landscape photographer. Instead of finding peace, embracing solitude, enjoying the wonders all around me, my mind is racing through possible compositions, lighting scenarios, etc. Thanks for this great reminder! I don’t want to forget the very things that call to me in the wilderness because I’ve brought my workaholic, task oriented, people pleasing attitude with me.

By: Julian

Julian — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 07:34:24 +0000

Guy, your penultimate paragraph really struck a chord.

Glen, above, talks about the ‘wow’ moment but surely this cannot be the only response to the landscape? What about intrigue? Contemplation? Contentment? Perhaps it has something to do with our technological age where the only two responses to an experience sometimes seem to be either ‘awseome!’ or ‘it sucks’? In the insatiable search for yet more mindless stimulation we seem to have lost our capacity for more complex responses.

But what happens when the viewer can no longer be provoked into a ‘wow’ response? What then? Do you up the ante? And where will all this end? I’d like to think there might be a largescale return to subtlety and depth in image-making but I’m not counting on it.

By: Carl D

Carl D — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:32:15 +0000

Hey Guy,

I think this kind of process is part of many aspects of our lives, be it art, relationship, career, etc. Seeing a little deeper is the task we’ve all been given, I imagine. It’s great that you’re able to so clearly articulate your own progress and share it here. Thanks.

Cheers

Carl

By: Friday Roundup: the week's interesting blog posts and sites |Out of Focus| A blog by Younes Bounhar

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:25:06 +0000

[...] On another order of ideas, one of my favorite bloggers and photographers, Guy Tal, says “…you are there to make images of beautiful experiences. Make it a beautiful experience first, and you will have something to photograph.” Guy discusses a dilemma that many of us come across so often, which what drives to photograph, but mostly how do you not lose sight of the big picture, no pun intended. I highly recommend reading “Answering the most important question”. [...]

By: Gary Crabbe / Enlightened Images

Gary Crabbe / Enlightened Images — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:44:53 +0000

Nice writing as always, Guy. I had to realize for myself that like with many other things, different trips or photographic opportunities call for different mindsets. When I’m just playing the Toucan Sam “Follow my nose” personal photography, I try to have that same sense of openness to experience, with the thought of getting the killer shot helping me along as nothing more than a rough guide. That’s a far different mindset from when I’m photographing something with a specific editorial or commercial goal in mind. Yeah, that “gotta get the shot” mindset can sure suck the fun right out of a trip if photographic opportunities don’t meet with your pre-visualized expectations.

By: Glen Goffin

Glen Goffin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:57:06 +0000

Bravo! Well said. For me, it isn’t until I have had a “wow” moment in my experience that I can take a picture that translates to a “wow” moment for the viewer. Thanks for another great post.