Thoughts & Theory

May 20th

2008

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CategoryPosted in: Influences, Thoughts & Theory

On the right track.

howcantgetyouthereThis one’s not very newsy, sorry. Totally uninspired, I wracked my brain for something to give you, feverishly surfed the web, and in the end decided it was a toss-up between not posting at all, posting a few rubbishy little details about coming products, or giving you something to chew on related to your craft. Chewing won out, so here’s some reflections along the lines of why technique alone (the HOW of photography) can’t get you all the way to where you want to go. I know, I’m a one-sermon guy these days.

When you find yourself beginning to feel a bond between yourself and the people you photograph, when you laugh and cry with their laughter and tears, you will know you are on the right track.
- Arthur Fellig

Some of the great pictures, you just look at them and you marvel at them, for the subject matter and somehow they struck a chord in you. But it’s rarely about the technique. It’s not about the lens, or the film, or the light necessarily. It’s really just some story in that picture. Some emotional element which you connect with.
- Steve McCurry

Let us first say what photography is not. A photograph is not a painting, a poem, a symphony, a dance. It is not just a pretty picture, not an exercise in contortionist techniques and sheer print quality. It is or should be a significant document, a penetrating statement, which can be described in a very simple term – selectivity.
-Berenice Abbott

Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.
-Don McCullin

May 15th

2008

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CategoryPosted in: Thoughts & Theory

The Artist and The Geek: A Turbulent Romance.

There’s been some excellent discussion online and off, about our addiction to the “HOW” and the fine art of finding the balance in our geek:artist ratio. If you missed it, check in here first. There is a danger, in any reformation, of going too far. In our reaction to “HOW,” we can abandon technique and [...]

May 13th

2008

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CategoryPosted in: Thoughts & Theory

Addicted to "How"

Sorry to keep throwing these think-pieces at you. 5 years in theology school as a young man and the preacher is bound to come out eventually. Feel free to just take a nap and put 5 bucks in the offering plate as it goes by. I think we’re addicted to technology and technique. I think [...]

May 9th

2008

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CategoryPosted in: Thoughts & Theory

On Something Like Objectivity.

I’m constantly telling people to shoot what they love. I stand by that advice and I will go down on that ship if I have to. But there’s a danger in only shooting what you love. It feels easy. And it’s easy to mistake a bad photo of something we love for a good photo. [...]

May 5th

2008

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CategoryPosted in: Books, Current Affairs, Influences, News & Stuff, Thoughts & Theory, Travel

NEED Magazine, New Baggage Rules, New Lighting Book…

Aspiring humanitarian photographers will want to look into NEED – The Humanitarian Magazine. This is a first class magazine with excellent photography and a strong focus. It’s not filled with ads, just great stories and great images and a really elegant layout. If you’re looking for inspiration, this is it. Subscriptions start around $30 depending [...]

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