Daily Archives: February 7, 2015

 

 

I read an article this morning that I found compelling thought!  How I Found My Vision by Cole Thompson.    http://www.tomen.de/how-i-found-my-vision-diy-photography/ 

 

Cole Thompson is a very talented fine art photographer based in Laporte, Colorado.  This article has some great thoughts on how to find our VISION!

 

My favorite line from his article is reprinted here, it is serious food for thought!

 

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During the last review of a very long day, the reviewer quickly looked at my work, brusquely pushed it back to me and said “It looks like your trying to copy Ansel Adams.” I replied that I was, because I loved his work! He then said something that would change my life:

 

“Ansel’s already done Ansel and you’re not going to do him any better. What can you create that shows your unique vision?”

 

Those words really stung, but over the next two years the message did sink in: Was it my life’s ambition to be known as the world’s best Ansel Adams imitator? Had I no higher aspirations than that?

 

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One example that Cole shared  in his article was that in a effort to find his vision he laid out his 100 favorite photographs and divided them into two piles, those he “really loved” and the rest.  He studied the ones that were his most prized and came to a realization that they spoke to him, that the subjects and light had spoken to him, he got as glimpse of his VISION!

 

I did the same this morning and came up with the image above.  I have thought about if for while now and have come up with some fairly quick reactions.  It’s simple, it’s graphic, it’s to the point, and I have a affinity for the subject matter.  I am pretty sure that if I picked a few other of my most treasured images I would pretty much come up with the same list!

 

I post articles all the time about gear;  bodies, lenses what’s new, what is rumored, etc. etc.  The simple answer is that I’m a gear freak, I love the gear, I love testing and playing with it. ….and sadly, I buy a lot of it too!  It’s fun, it’s not sinful to like the gear, but it is not photography, cameras and lenses, tripods and accessories are tools, nothing more.  Will a legendary lens make you a better photographer?  Will more mega pixels improve your images?  No!  In another article by Cole, I’m spending more time on his Blog, he showed a pie graph that says if succinctly!

 

A Great Image Consists of:

 

First a big thanks to Cole for helping me clarify some things I needed to think more about.  Second I would highly recommend you visit his website;    http://www.photographyblackwhite.com/   I plan to purchase one of his Fine Art Prints, but it’s going to take me a while to pick one from among the many truly wonderful images!

 

I’m an addict, and I will continue to talk about gear, but I’m going to be ever mindful that gear is the hobby, but the passion is improving and enjoying my VISION.

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

One  more favorite.