Photographer Clay

Tag: teach

  • Sometimes photographers make me sad

    Sometimes photographers make me sad

    Sometimes, I find myself engulfed in a deep, reflective sadness when I consider the journeys of photographers, rather than just the images they create. My heart goes out especially to those who engage these individuals, as their stories often run deeper than the photographs reveal. This article aims not to criticize photographers but to gently remind them of the profound connections and emotions behind their art, and the experience of others.

    Two days ago, another photographer and I ventured out for some landscape photography, while my companion was busy working on a cinematography school project. As we immersed ourselves in the beauty of our city’s iconic area, we encountered a few fellow photographers. We had settled in a spot often regarded as the “money shot” for this location, and it brought us joy to share this incredible space with the first photographer we met. Just then, I noticed a group that seemed to be a wedding party, adding a touch of magic to the scene.

    The second group was quite large, consisting of a dozen or more people. The photographer arrived with just a camera, which was surprising given the circumstances. It was a bright, early summer morning, and the sun was quite intense. Unfortunately, the wedding photographer positioned the group with the glaring sun in their eyes, aiming for a view of the fountain behind them. However, that backdrop included a lot of traffic, signs, and signals that would distract from the special moment. As we were wrapping up at our prime location, we kindly offered it to them. It seemed the photographer may not have fully appreciated our gesture, as we didn’t suggest avoiding the bright sunlight that caused squinting and harsh shadows; we simply made our spot available, hoping it would enhance their session.

    My companion and I share a deep passion for both landscape and portrait photography, and we’ve learned through experience that it’s easy to make similar mistakes. This is why I often feel a sense of sadness for both the photographer and the group in situations like these. I kindly ask that you don’t take offense when others offer gentle guidance, as they genuinely intend to help and support your session without trying to take control.

  • Photographers and artists that stop learning are failing

    Photographers and artists that stop learning are failing

    A bold statement from an old photographer that has decided to continue to learn and grow in order to become more creative and artistic. I suspect many will disagree with this statement but I’m not sure that it is something I’m going to worry about, but I encourage all to think about.

    One of the reasons I bring this up is because I haven’t written in a couple of weeks. I’ve been busy between a short trip, some out of town guests, working with an upgraded tool in Photoshop and taking a Photoshop course.

    The photograph that I have included in this post was taken a year ago while I was driving back from the Pacific Northwest. I pulled off the highway at a scenic overlook of the Columbia River. In this part of Washington State there had been some wildfires resulting in smoke in the air. This scene also had some faint clouds in the air. According to the in-camera light meter the exposure was within the acceptable range, however, when I viewed the photograph, the smoke was barely visible, and the clouds were practically invisible. When I incorporated the training and through the use of a upgraded tool those elements were as visible as they were to my eyes.

    What is unfortunate is that there are those who believe that some of the techniques I utilized render my photograph-altered artwork is not worthy of being called a photograph. Typically, this isn’t an issue that overly concerns me. What concerns is the lack of understanding and the lack of motivation by others to learn and grow. The lack of motivation to understand and learn concerns me because I believe it stagnates the progression of art and photography. Please, don’t stop learning, experimenting, pushing the boundaries of your art and photography.

  • Sometimes we think too much about creating art

    Sometimes we think too much about creating art

    In previous posts I’ve discussed how we often lack planning when we go out on a photographic adventure (Flying by the seat of your pants). How much planning and thought is too much? That, my friends, is a question to ponder.

    I’ve been guilty of overthinking a photo outing or shoot and ended up with subpar results. It is often very easy to overthink the creation of art as well as to under plan. The balance between spontaneity and preparation can be delicate, and striking that balance is crucial to achieving great photographs.

    On one hand, overthinking can stifle creativity. When we become too focused on the technical aspects or potential outcomes, we risk losing touch with the emotional and spontaneous elements that make photography an art form. For example, in some of my earlier outings, I meticulously planned every shot, analyzing the lighting, angles, and even potential subjects. While this may seem beneficial, it often led to stiff and lifeless images that lacked the spirit I was aiming to capture.

    On the flip side, under-planning can lead to missed opportunities. Without some level of preparation, we may find ourselves unprepared to connect with our subjects or to capture the right moment when it arises. It is essential to have a general idea of the location, what gear to bring, and the kind of shots we want to achieve.

    In essence, a successful photographic adventure requires a balance of planning and a willingness to embrace the unforeseen. Perhaps the key is to set a foundational plan while staying open to the spontaneous moments that can transform an ordinary outing into something extraordinary. It’s in this blend of thoughtfulness and freedom where we might find our most authentic and compelling work.

  • Sometimes the sun shines through a storm

    Sometimes the sun shines through a storm

    For the past month or so, my desktop computer has been experiencing a frustrating memory management issue, which has resulted in the machine unexpectedly rebooting at the most inconvenient times. It has been particularly exasperating, especially when I was immersed in gaming sessions or processing photographs, where any interruption could ruin my focus and waste valuable time. A couple of days ago, feeling a wave of hope despite my frustrations, I decided to perform a diagnostic test to pinpoint the source of these disruptions, and I learned that there was indeed a serious problem with the computer memory. Unlike my typical luck with tech mishaps, fortune smiled upon me, as I discovered a fantastic sale on memory modules just when I needed it the most. Seizing the opportunity, I was able to double the memory from 32 Gb to an impressive 64 Gb for less than $100. Since upgrading, I have put my system through its paces with early tests using Photoshop and similar resource-intensive programs, and I have noticed a significant improvement in speed and responsiveness. The once annoying crashes have become a thing of the past, allowing me to work efficiently and enjoy my gaming without interruption, truly transforming my computing experience.

    Sometimes in the middle of a storm a ray of light comes through showing you the path to move towards.

  • Flying by the seat of your pants!

    Flying by the seat of your pants!

    If you are like me, we have done this more times than we can count. You have a plan to grab your camera and head out on a walkabout to grab some photos, or a planned event that you want to document, but beyond that, you have little to no concept of what or how you want to accomplish your images. It often starts with a sense of excitement, the thrill of possibility that hangs in the air, yet as you step outside, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the myriad of choices before you. The vibrant colors of nature or the hustle and bustle of a city can be both inspiring and intimidating, leading to a moment of indecision. You might think about the stories you want to tell through your lens, the emotions you want to capture, and the unique perspectives you can showcase, yet the pressure to produce something truly remarkable can feel paralyzing. Embracing the spontaneity of the moment, however, can be where the magic happens; sometimes the best shots come when you least expect them, turning an ordinary walk into an extraordinary adventure of creativity.

    How then can we ensure that we get what we want or envision? While I’m not necessarily a gearhead, we must take into account what gear we need to accomplish our goal. The right tools can make a significant difference in the quality of our outcomes, whether it’s photography, writing, or any other creative endeavor. We also need to be able to employ our skills or be willing to be open-minded and work outside our so-called box. Being adaptable allows us to explore new techniques, learn from our experiences, and ultimately grow in our craft. I don’t know how many times I’ve done it myself, let alone how many times I’ve seen others do it, but so many times I’ve never changed my position when taking photos. You know, from a standing position, which can limit our perspective; often we need to get low or higher, to try different angles and viewpoints that can completely transform the narrative of our work. It’s essential to embrace these varied perspectives, as they can lead us to discover compositions we never thought possible. We need to become more creative, constantly pushing the boundaries of our imagination and allowing ourselves to experiment with the unfamiliar. By doing so, not only do we enhance our skills, but we also create more engaging and dynamic results that resonate on a deeper level with our audience.

    Let us get creative.

  • Motivating yourself as an artist

    Motivating yourself as an artist

    I seemingly lost my motivation a couple of years ago when we were in the process of moving and beginning to travel. For the past year, I have been looking for a way to get my motivation back. I’ve been trying too hard. It is like looking for happiness. You can’t find it, happiness finds you. It is like the old country music song, “Looking for love in all the wrong places“

    What I have found is that the motivation and inspiration is there I’m just wanting it to be extraordinary whereas what I really need is to find the ordinary and make it extraordinary. Art, inspiration, and motivation are all around us. To coin another old adage, I couldn’t find the forest because of the trees.

    I’m not saying I’m back to where I was, that will never happen because I’m not that same person. As time moves forward we must move with it. We can’t stay in one place forever, that is why we have the ability to move. Unlike a tree or plant that is stuck in one spot we have the ability to move forward.

  • It isn’t always about you.

    It isn’t always about you.

    I have pondered this post for a couple of weeks now. In fact, I started to write it and gave it a title, then I stopped because it was going to be too much of a rant on new or beginning photographers and selling their services to customers. I ran through several wording styles in my head and then finally deleted the entire post this morning.

    The reason I wanted to start over was that I have been reading a book, Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy, and yesterday I came upon two quotes that resonated with me. The first was, “if all you see is chickens and chicken scratch, it doesn’t matter if you are an eagle; flying won’t be part of your world.” The second was, “expect nothing, prepare for anything.”

    These were very powerful messages for me, igniting a self-reflective journey. Instead of concerning myself with what others were doing or how they were marketing their photography services, I needed to focus on mastering my own mind. By doing so, I would subsequently empower myself to master my unique vision and skills in producing the art I truly want to create. My obsession with the perceived failures of others was clouding my judgment and inhibiting my own self-mastery.

    Rather than rant about this publicly, I realized there’s tremendous value in working to demonstrate the message I was attempting to relay to others. The true path to inspire and be of service to others lies in action rather than mere words or criticisms. By focusing on my inner growth and honing my skills, I could transform the frustrations I feel into motivation and clarity. In doing so, I pave the way to uplift others in their journeys, reminding them that personal excellence often stems from a place of introspection and self-awareness.

    This renewed perspective has encouraged me to cultivate a mindset where I expect nothing but prepare for anything. Embracing this principle allows me to navigate challenges without getting bogged down by the comparative metrics that often stifle creativity and joy in the craft. Each photographer’s journey is unique, and by staying true to my own path, I can create visuals that reflect my personal story, thus leaving space for authentic connections with others who appreciate my work. Through this reflection, I turn the quest for excellence into both a personal and collective endeavor, fostering a community where creativity thrives.

  • The Internet – What a strange and often fascinating place.

    The Internet – What a strange and often fascinating place.

    I am entertained on nearly a daily basis at some of the comments I see made throughout the internet. So many times, I see comments that profess to be facts but are merely an opinion. I will give you that an opinion can be a nearly a fact but only after some designation that the opinion is given by an expert in the particular field for which they are expressing an opinion.

    Recently I expressed some thoughts on a question in a photography forum where a member asked a question about laptops versus desktop computers and which was “better”. Wow! What a can of worms that opened up. Most of the replies were merely opinions, nothing wrong with that, a few attempted to make their opinion a fact, with clearly biased information. I could tell where the anti-laptop person was going from the very first line of their “opinion”, “Laptops are crap for editing”. Well, that may have been the case a few years ago, but times have changed.

    I use both a laptop and a desktop. The quality of my output is the same on both computers. I’ve used Mac based systems and Windows based systems. Looking at the image above can you tell if it were edited on a laptop or desktop?

    The problem, as I see it, is that so many times new photographers or artists can easily be confused by these “so-called” experts. I should add that the person who stated that laptops were crap in a photography forum had no examples of their photography, no links to examples, and provided no evidence or facts to support their claim.

  • Look for the small things

    Look for the small things

    Landscape photography is not always about the grand scene, the sunrise or sunset. It is sometimes about the small details. I am frequently amazed at others who miss seeing the small details of the forest, or landscape scene.

    While I would not say that I don’t miss some things I do try to make a conscious effort to see small details when I’m out wandering about.

    Try it the next time you venture out into the world, look for the small elements and you may be surprised at the things you never noticed before.

  • Photographic vision

    Photographic vision

    One of the things that I have discovered about photography is that you must learn to see the world around you. On many occasions I have been hiking through the woods or along a trail and had other people ask, “getting anything good”? What most of them have missed are the wildflowers, small insects, the colorful leaf, or the way the sunlight highlights a scene. So much of it is being able to see the world with a different perspective and to pay attention to the details of our world.

    It matters not your genre of photography. What matters is the ability to see and capture the unique world around you.