Why blog? This is a good question to ask yourself every now and then – if you write a blog. I am reading David duChemin’s latest book, “VisionMongers – Making a Life and Living in Photography” and somewhere in the middle chapters of the book he talks about blogging. His discussion got me thinking about my blog and how I may have drifted over time away from my original intent. It has been awhile since I really just talked from the heart and gut about my pursuit of photography. I tend to be a bit of a private person, so opening up and sharing what is going on inside and expressing my heartfelt thoughts in a blog isn’t a totally natural thing for me. I think it is for David duChemin (if you haven’t read any of his books, I highly recommend them).
Open sharing is really the basis for any real relationship and a blog can be one way we relate to others. I have shared at that level at times (if you have been reading along for the past 20+ months you probably know that) but it hasn’t been as consistent as I would like. It is my goal to do more of that level of sharing as I go forward. Feel free to interact and participate in the dialog if you like.
So what do I see this blog being about? For now I see three primary purposes.
- To relate – Share experiences that might just let you know you are not alone in some of the things you go through or feel as a photographer.
- To teach – Share useful concepts, techniques or methods. My new screencast videos fall into this category.
- To inspire -Continue to share new images that might provide inspiration or vision to you as a photographer.
Blog image: Don’t let the rain keep you from shooting. I shot this image through my rain coated windshield (thanks to my wife’s suggestion). It was then double processed through Photomatix Pro even though it was a single image. Should make for a good screen cast some day.
I have added a link to David duChemin’s blog on my list of favorites.
4 Comments
Do you find it hard to open up about yourself through your images?
Kalani, good to hear from you again. As for opening up through images… I would say yes, but the degree differs. I find emotion comes into play a lot when I am post processing an image. I react to the emotion I captured and amplify it.
I was referring more to capturing scenes that amplify a personal reaction and amplifying that reaction through strong composition. I've always felt post processing can add to a good scene but doesn't substitute for composition. I have trouble with getting personal with my images, thats why I ask. I've found my best photos are the ones that I identify with through an emotional personal experience I've had in the past. Maybe it's because I can easily tell if it's off the mark or not. The experience is so vivid in my memory
I can compare right away to how I react to my composition to see if it hits all the elements it needs to capture the story, or alludes to everything it needs too in order to make a complete visual metaphor. I've found it's hard to open up internally and externally to let the sensations flow uninhibited by whatevers preventing them from coming out.
I agree with you that the composition comes first. I was just noting that good post processing can amplify what is there.
As for reacting to emotion – that is a difficult question. I try not to over think too much when I am in the field and go with the flow. When we talk about getting in the grove, I think that is when we have the since of being in tune with the scene and the shots just flow. I think part of that comes from having analyzed lots of images after the fact and determined which compostion best reflected our feelings at the time. That way when you approach a similar subject that creates that feeling you know how to best capture it and communicate it to your viewers. Thats my thoughts on the subject. Anyone else care to jump in…