Comments on: Driving Ms. Camera

By: prashant khapane

prashant khapane — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:56:13 +0000

what Dan said above.

By: Dan Baumbach

Dan Baumbach — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:57:41 +0000

As always, articulated with such beauty and precision. You already know I agree with you 100%.

- Dan

By: Bob Cornelis

Bob Cornelis — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:32:01 +0000

Great post on an interesting topic – I particularly like your metaphor of being the cameras chauffer!

I have written about this topic several times on my blog as well and it’s something I continually struggle with. While I do not worship the “cult of the individual” I do prefer to see the artist in the photograph rather than just the subject being photographed. The latter doesn’t tell me anything I couldn’t learn from seeing that object or place myself. What I’m interested in is how this particular artist has seen and what they want to tell me about it.

I think it is particularly difficult to accomplish this with landscape photography. It is such a mature subject that it is almost impossible to convey something new and personal. And, as someone said above, it is so easy to take a shot that conveys some of the scenic wonder without saying anything more.

In my own work, I have moved more toward “constructed” shots where I am composing the scene and lighting more. Having more control gives me greater freedom to say something more personal.

By: Jim Goldstein

Jim Goldstein — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:58:14 +0000

This reminds me of some thoughts I had last October when I wrote To Pay Tribute or To Strive For Originality and in Feb of 08 in relation to Creative Debt. Beyond finding your own voice as an artist, nature photography offers an added benefit of enjoying your surroundings. The experience of exploring is both an activity accomplished with and without your camera. One other note I do find that photographers like to embrace both familiar and safe subjects. The familiar is easy to access and reproduce, while the "safe" subject is one that they are most likely to receive praise for. Praise often comes from the familiar and more rarely surfaces when you're pushing personal or genre boundaries. Seeing that photography is so subjective I think a lot of folks take the route with less confrontation or risk of criticism. Once again Guy an excellent subject of discussion and one eloquently expressed.

By: John O'Connor

John O'Connor — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:42:29 +0000

The idea of landscape photography as art has been on my mind lately. Like you said, there are those that believe it’s enough to record a moment without imparting some sort of vision beyond the click, and stamping “fine art” somewhere, somehow in relation to the photograph. I’m guilty of this. I think the surge of mobs we’re seeing is due to digital photography being so accessible. It has become an extremely easy hobby for those to pick up that want to express their creative side, which they had not been able to express before. Digital cameras have become so easy to use and the instant feedback is wonderful for improving on the spot. These new creatives have seen what works and try their hand at it, capture/copy something well but done, print up an 8×10 and bring it to the office. Co-workers are impressed because they themselves are not photographers and so they’ve not seen anything like it. The ego is fed and the cycle continues. But, there are still some that wish to move beyond the tripod holes and push their work to new levels. I hope that I am growing into one of these photographers. Even in most original compositions, locations, light, etc. these days there is a level of “safeness” or routine that is common place in landscape/nature photography that is holding the image back from transcending to the the realm of “art”. There is nothing more being said than “hey look at this that I found”. Where are the risk takers, the failures, the ones pushing the boundaries with something meaningful to say? They’re out there and they’re producing amazing work, but they’re not getting much play in the industry media monster because it’s not what sells to the mobs. I don’t know, maybe I’m being too critical of the work out there now, mine included.

Any ways, another very thoughtful/thought inspiring post. I’d love to hear your thoughts, as well as the other commenters’, on this loosely related article about David Burdeny copying Sze Tsung Leong’s work. http://bit.ly/dt5UNY

By: Greg Russell

Greg Russell — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:34:05 +0000

Guy, I wanted to take a second to write and comment on your post before leaving on my trip to–haha–Death Valley tomorrow. This is something that’s been on my mind as well, and although I will continue to shoot the “icons”, I think its really important to turn around, or look over your shoulder, because we might all be surprised at what we see.

Like, Dan above, some of my favorite Yosemite images are things that other people may not necessarily be “wowed” by.

Then, there’s exploring your own places. I think that ultimately gives the greatest satisfaction. Your portfolio is a living testament to that, and as my style crystallizes, I hope mine will as well.

Well, off to DVNP. I hope to share some images of things you haven’t seen before

Cheers,
Greg

PS-I’ve also blogged about this recently, about shooting the Icons, and taking the time to look over your shoulder. Yours is much better said.

By: G Dan Mitchell

G Dan Mitchell — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:25:39 +0000

I was there – Horsetail, that is – and I made photographs of the thing. But that was just for a half hour in the evening. The Horsetail photos are, uh, just Horsetail photos – interesting perhaps but not all that satisfying.

My favorite photograph from my most recent visit to The Valley – what I was really there to shoot – wouldn’t even evoke thoughts of that location in most viewers: http://gdanmitchell.com/gallery/d/4011-3/WinterFernYosemiteBW20100214.jpg

Dan

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:03:53 +0000

Thank you for being a photographer that stops and pauses to think and for relaying your thoughts to us. It’s a refreshing change from the gear-driven nature or minutiae-of-the-craft focus of a lot of photography blogs.

By: Robert Rodriguez Jr

Robert Rodriguez Jr — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 02:48:26 +0000

This was the entire point of my talk at a local photo club last night titled “Beauty Within”. What is most important in my opinion is having an emotional attachment to your subject, and only then can that be conveyed to a viewer. I’ve rarely been asked by a customer the location of an image as a basis for their decision to make a purchase. More often then not, they don’t even know much about the location. It’s how the image makes them feel that matters most to them.
Great post as usual, and truthful in so many ways – thanks.

By: Joel Truckenbrod

Joel Truckenbrod — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:30:49 +0000

Great read and some excellent points. Thanks Guy.