rlketcham.comThe have been a lot of posts written the past month about self assignments and I figured I’d throw my take on the issue into the mix. To often I see a take on self assignment that involves technical issues, the idea of only using one lens or fstop or something that has to do with the tech of making an image. This is great for learning the gear but it won’t make better photographs from a vision point of view. Technique is fine but isn’t a substitute for something to say. I am as guilty as the next guy for making technically good image that isn’t something that you really want to go back and look at twice. One of my mentors in sculpture Gerry Conaway once told me that “Great art was art you saw something new in every-time you looked at it”. For what it is worth I believe these should be words to live by if you want your work to mean something and stand the test of time.
I know not much of an image it is for illustration purpose
So for a self assignment I have reached back into something I used to do in the old film days when I was broke and a student. I take an old ‘not so worth keeping’ slide (I’m pretty sure most of us have a few) and cut out the film then slip it into my wallet. When I see something that may make a decent image I take out the slide and frame the image and then once I have an idea of what I am trying to say here I think thru the tech of Dof, exposure etc. The point is to see the image without all the tech stuff getting in the way.
The most well lit, perfectly exposed image can also be the most boring thing I have ever done if all it has to go on is the technique that was used to make the image. Less gear!- is the rally cry that seems to be gaining momentum and I think it should be- Right gear for your voice! I don’t think they built the Taj Mahal with using just a hammer. Gear gets in the way to often I will agree but using the right tool for the job is also what good craftsmanship is about. So I say learn your craft and gear, but first develop the eye and vision then buy the tools to make telling that story in the best way possible. Don’t let gear drive the vision, let vision drive the gear. Using a piece of paper cut out for your aspect ratio or an old slide to see thru, then using your arm as a focal length will cut down on gear for learning and using your mind and imagination to build the image before you ever take the camera along will in my mind make you able to see better.
Give it a try it only takes up a little space in your wallet and it is always with you. Besides it isn’t as noticeable as a camera and will get you plenty of space in the coffee shop if it is noticed.
I do so frequently
There will be more on this if I can ever get the ringing in my ears to stop from all the head banging. Make new mistakes today, it is a sign of progress.
Excellent advice, to use a slide and evaluate a view that way. Looks lot less pretentious than using your hand as wannabe film folks do… By-passers could take it for that you’re actually trying to read what’s on the slide.
Well, I think that building a house with just a hammer is a novel idea, personally!
Of course one should have an arsenal of tools to use; however, having so many choices does, at least for me, lead to analysis paralysis at times. Further, just because you use only one lens/one camera won’t make a hoot of difference if you don’t know what it is that you’re trying to say, or more to the point, what you are interested in. I do think that perhaps starting out with one lens and one camera is a good idea when you are learning and later when you want to try something different.
Ray, this is such a freaking brilliant idea, I just luv ya for it.
Question: how much do you think your background in sculpture affects/influences your photography?
You’re right. Anything that gets the gear out of the way and out of mind is worth a try.
@Chris I don’t really know how much the sculpture work influences my photo work. I do know I approach a lot of things from that fine arts perspective I gained from my mentors. Even the whole computer, programing, web thing wasn’t really from a tech direction. I related the computer things to magic where if you knew the arcane symbols and put them in the right order cool stuff would happen. I read between the lines a lot on photography writing and feel that for many it is approached from a technical instead of a creative direction. To much emphasis on the how and not enough on the why or what is being said. So in that way I think that the fine and abstract art world has a lot of influence on what and why I think/see.
A wonderful idea Ray. I know there are times when I don’t have a camera with me and wonder about different compositions I see and if they would work. I’m definitely going to do this my friend!
This is a great idea!
But I don’t carry a wallet – I’m a money-clip kinda guy. Hope this doesn’t exclude me from the club.
Not sure if you saw that video clip I posted of Jay Maisel the other day on Twitter, but he was essentially saying the same thing about too much gear = less photos taken. If you didn’t see it, ping me and I’ll try to find it again.
Hey, Ray, the slide frame is now in my wallet. Thanks for the tip! Really like the moody capture of that pic today from Pope Marine Park and your ideas as well.