What IS it about nature photography? in Large Format Posted January 5, 2002 Here is an essay I wrote that is on my website that stresses my thoughts on the matter. <p> Hometown Safaris <p> To what distances would you have to go, to find subject matter that has the feel and flavor of exotic fair, of places on far in which to photograph? As you pour over the many books and magazines loaded with breath taking landscapes, interesting details, folklore, candids of the natives, you wonder if you would ever be able to go there yourself on an excursion of self discovery. Would you have to fly half way around the world, a quarter, or any other fraction there of? Remember, what seems exotic and unusual to the tourist, is common place, every day to the locals. It all depends on your point of view. <p> If you keep a few common premises in mind that is true no matter where you live in the world, you will be able to find rich subject matter to photograph. These premise are, that there is only one sun in the sky, that rises in the east and sets in the west, that there are weather patterns, seasons, storms, no matter where you live in the world. What it requires is the same for all great photographs, a point of view, desire, discipline, hard work, careful planning, and getting out of bed early enough to be at the location you want at least one hour before sunrise and staying long past sunset. <p> Familiarity is key, by exploring your backyard, your state, the parks, seashores, old buildings, historic sites, extensively and repeatedly over the course of time, years, seasons, weather conditions, keeping notes, mental or written, the landscape will reveal itself to you. The point is, you have to be out there and in position when those magical moments happen, because they can happen at almost anytime, no matter where you live in the world. The more times you visit a spot, the better your chances. You also have to be ready to shoot and know how to interpret what you're seeing and translate it into a finished, successful photograph that says what you want to say. <p> One most recent example is the cover photograph on the 2002 Down the Shore Lighthouse calendar of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. This location is about 20 minutes from my home in NJ. I used to work there summers for the National Park Service during college and have gone there many, many times with the intention of making publishable photographs but never found such a rare and glorious site as: "A Rainbow in December!" <p> It was a lazy dreary Sunday afternoon and I was looking for something to do, so I decided to take a drive to "The Hook" and see what there was to see. Fortunately, I decided to grab (but have not always done so) my 4x5-view camera and bag. A cold front was coming through, it was breezy and getting chilly. I scouted around the park for possibilities, and settled on the "same o same o,"�the lighthouse. Yaaaawwwnnn, I need some variety in my subjects, was running through my mind. I set up, composed a few shots, but did not expose any film. The sky was pretty much over cast and I thought of leaving to go to Twin Lights Historic Site, 5 minutes away. But, I decided to stay, thinking there would be no difference. Besides, I was just looking for a little change of scenery to pass the time. <p> I broke down the camera, got in the car and waited, turned on some classical music and did a little reading. After awhile, I looked to the horizon, there was a break in the clouds coming. A window of sunlight would soon open up. Still not expecting anything special, I set up and waited and waited and�the first rays of sun hit the top of the tower. A telephoto lens close up was good; a few frames shot off. Then the sky over the lighthouse darkened and a few sprinkles hit the camera, just be patient, I thought, and waited longer�.Then ... and �.. THEN!... AND�.. THEN !!!!!!!!! WOW !!!!!!!!!!! THIS INCREDABLE RAINBOW WAS FORMING�RIGHT OVER THE TOWER!!!!!! I started with a wide angel shot, then changed lenses and moved closer. This rainbow was incredible! It was just not going to quit! I was able to get off a sequence of 3 different views before it was all over. <p> A moment in time like that is what I call a "Once in Eternity" opportunity, when all the elements of time, weather and circumstance come together and the landscape reveals its sublime glory. It has about the same chances of happening again as there are of finding identical snowflakes. Sure, there will be rainbows over Sandy Hook, NJ in the future. But will they appear as intensely dramatic, will they appear as a rarity in December, in winter, will they appear right over the lighthouse, and most importantly, will a skillful photographer be there to interpret it?
What IS it about nature photography?
in Large Format
Posted
Here is an essay I wrote that is on my website that stresses my
thoughts on the matter.
<p>
Hometown Safaris
<p>
To what distances would you have to go, to find subject matter that
has the feel and flavor of exotic fair, of places on far in which to
photograph? As you pour over the many books and magazines loaded with
breath taking landscapes, interesting details, folklore, candids of
the natives, you wonder if you would ever be able to go there
yourself on an excursion of self discovery. Would you have to fly
half way around the world, a quarter, or any other fraction there of?
Remember, what seems exotic and unusual to the tourist, is common
place, every day to the locals. It all depends on your point of view.
<p>
If you keep a few common premises in mind that is true no matter
where you live in the world, you will be able to find rich subject
matter to photograph. These premise are, that there is only one sun
in the sky, that rises in the east and sets in the west, that there
are weather patterns, seasons, storms, no matter where you live in
the world. What it requires is the same for all great photographs, a
point of view, desire, discipline, hard work, careful planning, and
getting out of bed early enough to be at the location you want at
least one hour before sunrise and staying long past sunset.
<p>
Familiarity is key, by exploring your backyard, your state, the
parks, seashores, old buildings, historic sites, extensively and
repeatedly over the course of time, years, seasons, weather
conditions, keeping notes, mental or written, the landscape will
reveal itself to you. The point is, you have to be out there and in
position when those magical moments happen, because they can happen
at almost anytime, no matter where you live in the world. The more
times you visit a spot, the better your chances. You also have to be
ready to shoot and know how to interpret what you're seeing and
translate it into a finished, successful photograph that says what
you want to say.
<p>
One most recent example is the cover photograph on the 2002 Down the
Shore Lighthouse calendar of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. This location
is about 20 minutes from my home in NJ. I used to work there summers
for the National Park Service during college and have gone there
many, many times with the intention of making publishable photographs
but never found such a rare and glorious site as: "A Rainbow in
December!"
<p>
It was a lazy dreary Sunday afternoon and I was looking for something
to do, so I decided to take a drive to "The Hook" and see what there
was to see. Fortunately, I decided to grab (but have not always done
so) my 4x5-view camera and bag. A cold front was coming through, it
was breezy and getting chilly. I scouted around the park for
possibilities, and settled on the "same o same o,"�the lighthouse.
Yaaaawwwnnn, I need some variety in my subjects, was running through
my mind. I set up, composed a few shots, but did not expose any film.
The sky was pretty much over cast and I thought of leaving to go to
Twin Lights Historic Site, 5 minutes away. But, I decided to stay,
thinking there would be no difference. Besides, I was just looking
for a little change of scenery to pass the time.
<p>
I broke down the camera, got in the car and waited, turned on some
classical music and did a little reading. After awhile, I looked to
the horizon, there was a break in the clouds coming. A window of
sunlight would soon open up. Still not expecting anything special, I
set up and waited and waited and�the first rays of sun hit the top of
the tower. A telephoto lens close up was good; a few frames shot off.
Then the sky over the lighthouse darkened and a few sprinkles hit the
camera, just be patient, I thought, and waited longer�.Then ... and
�.. THEN!... AND�.. THEN !!!!!!!!! WOW !!!!!!!!!!! THIS INCREDABLE
RAINBOW WAS FORMING�RIGHT OVER THE TOWER!!!!!! I started with a wide
angel shot, then changed lenses and moved closer. This rainbow was
incredible! It was just not going to quit! I was able to get off a
sequence of 3 different views before it was all over.
<p>
A moment in time like that is what I call a "Once in Eternity"
opportunity, when all the elements of time, weather and circumstance
come together and the landscape reveals its sublime glory. It has
about the same chances of happening again as there are of finding
identical snowflakes. Sure, there will be rainbows over Sandy Hook,
NJ in the future. But will they appear as intensely dramatic, will
they appear as a rarity in December, in winter, will they appear
right over the lighthouse, and most importantly, will a skillful
photographer be there to interpret it?