Deceptive Simplicity
I recently saw an interview with the great travel photographer Bob Holmes. With a thoughtful economy of words he noted, “Photography is deceptively simple.” His succinct statement resonated with me and gets right to the root of my intrigue with photography. This maxim underscores the boundless possibilities offered by the camera as a medium for expression. It also opens up discussion of the myth that the point-and-shoot era of photography has made the professional-eye obsolete.
The autopilot functions of modern dSLRs broaden their accessibility, but they also narrow one’s creativity. Don’t get me wrong, I celebrate the fact that cameras are becoming more user-friendly and affordable. In fact, one of my biggest pet-peeves is the insecure professional who rants about the flooded market of amateur shooters. Everyday I read photographer updates and tweets touting how invaluable their work is while griping over the inexperienced competition. Personally, I think that your work should speak for itself, and if your clients can’t tell the difference perhaps they shouldn’t indulge in it.
Why is photography such a guarded art form? Why do many photographers spend much of their time defending their rates and complaining about newcomers to the trade? This attitude seems to run counter with all other expressions of art. Perhaps the answer lies in Mr. Holmes’ observation about photography’s deceptive simplicity. While I celebrate the accessibility of photography, I’m enamored by its complexity. It’s an art that you can dive right into on day one, yet continue to discover and uncover as a seasoned professional.
While I don’t think that there is only one right way to take a photo, I do abide by some basic guidelines to achieve the shots that speak to me. Ansel Adams is famous for saying “you don’t take a photograph, you make it.” This notion touches on the creative flexibility that the camera offers us. If you let your camera make all the decisions, you surrender this freedom. When we “make” a photograph, we’re creating a piece of art. I’m trying to create a reflection of my vision rather than simply xerox a moment in time.
What I personally try to achieve in my work is a pleasing and deliberate minimalist image that’s subject-focused. While the foreground and background are important in shaping the scene and putting things into context, I try to strip them down to their bare essentials. One of my favorite ways to do this is using a large aperture creating a shallow depth of field. Advances in low-light performance are not going to make heavy glass obsolete, because there’s no substitute for an f2.8 telephoto lens when you want to make your subject jump out of the print. I read my share of photography articles and I do not hear much discussion about this method for shooting wildlife. The tipsters are always focused on tack sharp shooting rather than artful documentation. Yes, its a lot easier to find focus at f8 and beyond, but they forget to mention the flat and forgettable textbook image this tends to create.
I took this mourning dove photo against a snowy backdrop last Spring. The bluejay and doves in the background give perspective, while the freshly fallen snow eliminates any distraction.
You’ll have absolutely no competition from the likes of me. To me the camera is much too complex for my muse. I’m indebted to point and click and gladly give up control to the camera to capture enough of the moment to give me a memory to work with when I get to my own media, pencil, pen and ink. To me the tactile act of body/eye/mind working together in a flow of creating a line is my thing.
So I gladly acknowledge the complexity and the wonder of your art… of the eye you have for framing your subject, for your incredible passion that lights the mind to manipulate the image to bring out the amazement you saw in that moment.
I’m so glad for the differences. There’s a unique place for each of us if we only follow our own muse and leave others to follow theirs. I’m so glad you share yours with us. It’s a wonderland to be sure.
September 12, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Thanks for sharing your kind words and insights! The great thing about photography is that it is fun on day one whether you intend to master it or just enjoy its simple pleasures.
September 12, 2012 at 6:56 pm
yes, deceptively simple maybe, but obviously complex as well. Your photos are stunning and as a one of those amateur shooters I love to look, and learn and find works that inspire me to learn even more. I see a photograph and after I enjoy its beauty my first thought is how’d they do that? I do the same thing when I see a fine work by a glass artist or a potter, two other areas I enjoy working in.
September 12, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Thanks very much RedRoadDiaries…I look at photography in exactly the same way. I can’t look at a photo without imagining the photographer behind the lens and their experience at that moment. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
September 12, 2012 at 6:59 pm
Not a big lover of snakes – had a bad experience on a school trip and it still make me feel a bit sick when I see any snake – but somehow I’m very fascinated by green snakes. Fantastic photos again – but I wouldn’t expect less from you Chris – for my the photographer is my eyes and he catch and borrow for me only *smile With a camera in our hand we look at things around us in a different way then others do … without a camera.
September 12, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Thanks Viveka.
September 12, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Great discussion and I enjoyed reading your perspective. I find it interesting that many photographers concentrate on the technical aspect of the photo rather than the subject or the artistic value. I know many people who value their knowledge of the camera much more than they value the final outcome of the photo. I believe that the camera is simply the necessary tool that enables the photographer to make the photograph. It is easy to see the nature of the photographer’s “eye” in every photo, and I think almost every photographer would set the camera differently anyway.
September 12, 2012 at 8:01 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed the post Mandy, and thanks very much for adding to the discussion. I think you’re right, and often find that people hide behind their work with technical rhetoric. I say image first…insight second!
September 12, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Financial considerations prevent me being anything but a point-and-shoot type of guy, although I experiment with the features my camera does have. As such, I’m a bit limited in the type of photo I can “make” – I’ve rather given up on trying to capture birds from a distance, for example. However, I’ve found that I can do a decent job with macro-type shots of insects. Overall, I’m happy with enough of my photos to not get discouraged, and at the same time I’m constantly inspired to see what more I can do. There are some fine photo-bloggers – you included – who provide that inspiration. That said, I’m trying only to please myself; validation from others is a bonus, but isn’t crucial to me.
Thanks for a smart post, Chris – I always appreciate your photography and accompanying descriptions, and this discussion confirms the respect I have for your work. Great stuff!
September 12, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Thanks Sid, and I must say that my work is validated by people like you taking the time to both check it out and offer your opinion. I’m not sure what you’re shooting with, but sometimes a simple cell phone camera will do the trick for me. Glad your having fun with macro and hope that dSLRs continue their accessibility trend for interested shooters like you.
September 13, 2012 at 5:07 pm
As with every trade, it is bound to ‘flooded’ with amateurs or wannabes.
But my concept is, if one is good/expertise at one does, he/she need not fear the lack of true appreciators.
And ultimately, all is in God’s grace
Something simple is not easy to manifest. A lot of thought process goes into creating it, making sure that it comes out ‘perfect’, because flaws will be easily seen and it takes an mature hand of the trade/skill to refine it.
Once again, your photos here are all exceptional and inspiring to behold.
It evidently displays what goes through the mind of the person behind the camera, and that’s you
September 13, 2012 at 1:28 am
Well thanks very much Jeannie, and I tend to agree with you. I, in fact invite the wannabes and wish them the best – who’s to say I’m not one of them. Like I said before, the work you produce is your truest spokesperson.
September 13, 2012 at 5:11 pm
A great article with brilliant photos. Photography has never been simple for me. I am am a painter. Have used a 35 mm camera that I found difficult. Now I have a cannon rebel t2i. I know enough about it’s limitations. I mostly use it to photograph my art, but finally can take a picture of what I see. Point and shoot are excellent for snap shots. But I was always disappointed because I could not capture what I see, which is not always what others might see or care about. I am still an amateur and may never be anything else. But I find the camera as a once mysterious and difficult tool, to now be a friend. I love learning about it. Your blog is excellent. I feel and see your passion.
September 13, 2012 at 11:12 am
I enjoyed your post and photos very much, Chris. My feelings toward wildlife photography are very much as yours. I shoot what I want when I want, but after 40 years, I still sometimes have trouble getting the same result that I am seeing. I get the shots, then sometimes I come away dis-satisfied. Much the same was as when I was a professional jazz saxist. I would blow my heart out, then feel frustrated that I still feit unfulfilled after the last note. But boy, when I do nail it, either with the camera or with my sax, the satisfaction makes it all worth it.
By the way, I shoot with wide apertures pretty much most of the time, and always strive to get the eyes focused. If a bird’s or animal’s eyes are blurred, it is a throw-away shot. Occasionally, I err, such as in the photo of the heron in flight in yesterdays blog, I grabbed the camera, and later realized that I had accidentally moved the f-stop to somewhere around f16. Got all of the foliage too sharp in the background for my taste. But if I had taken a second to double check the setting, I would have missed the shot. But that is the way it goes. Can’t be great all the time. But it sure is a blast trying……:-)
September 14, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Well, we are very like-minded Bob. Capturing ones “vision” is the ultimate reward, and I’m still striving for that. Thanks for your great contribution to the discussions here.
October 6, 2012 at 3:20 pm
just amazing!
September 20, 2012 at 7:10 am
Thank you much!
October 6, 2012 at 3:20 pm