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Health & Fitness

Homebody Photo Tip: What I Didn't Like About Photography

     When I really started to apply myself to digital photography several years ago I really didn’t care too much for the sharing part.

     That’s pretty crazy, right?  After all, probably one of the most important reasons to take a photograph is to show it to others.  What bothered me was that after taking the picture and sharing it with others, they came up with all these interpretations and observations that sometimes were totally different than what I intended to convey.

     Or, I would share different versions of one photograph secretly hoping they would favor the version that was my choice.   Or, I’d enter three photos in a contest hoping that one, my “favorite child,” would be selected.  Of course, many times they did not favor my version or select my favorite child.  I was invested in my favorites and the fact that others were not really bugged me.

     And it really bugged me when they missed my message and came up with their own!

     Over time I gradually started to come to terms with this situation.  Lately, I’ve come to accept it more.   And, if truth-be-told, I have to admit that I’m starting to like it.  A little.

     I recently read an interesting quote by Ansel Adams.  Ansel Adams was a great landscape photographer who photographed many of our National Parks and other public lands in black and white and invented the “Zone System” of photography.  You may not recognize his name but it’s a sure bet that you’ve seen his work.  His work was so valued that, some years ago, someone paid $600,000 for one of his photographs.

     Adams said, “There are always two people in every picture:  The photographer and the viewer.”

     And just like any two people they may have different perceptions, different experiences, different opinions, and may not always agree.  I guess there's not too much anyone can do to change that.   But my favorites are still my favorites!
 
     Kings Park Photo Club:  Our next meeting is on Thursday March 13, 2014 at 7 PM at the Kings Park Library.  Mike will be making a presentation on Street Photography.  Check out our members’ work on display at the People’s Bank on Indian Head Road.

     Thanks for reading, if you have any suggestions for topics please post them in the comments.

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