Daily Archives: February 18, 2015

 

 

I’ve seen this done a lot better, but it is still a thrill to see the light cast these shadows in my own yard!

 

Better?   What does that mean?  I look at the work of lots of other photographers and I often say, “man I wish I’d shot that!!”  Just the other day I was looking at Rick Sammon’s work, “Wish I had shot that!”  Then some of Ian Plant’s wonderful landscapes, “Sure wish I had seen and shot that!” Jack Graham and Guy Tal, you bet, same response.  So what’s the point?

 

I can tell you what the point isn’t, outshooting any of these folks!  The world doesn’t need another Guy Tal, or Jack Graham, Ian Plant or Rick Sammon, there is already one of each!  When I was younger I wanted to be John Shaw, or at least as good as John Shaw, but what’s the point?  It finally dawned on me that I need to be Bill Fortney, and the best Bill Fortney I could be.  You see, being the best “you” can be is fun, it’s not a competition, it’s as series of growth experiences, sometimes you fail, sometimes you win, and it’s all fun.  You never loose, and you never come in second in that contest!

 

The questions is “do you make photographs to impress others, or because you enjoy the process?”  I’m not judging, I used to make images in hopes they would be appreciated by others, now I make them because it’s fun!  The real of joy of not worrying about the other guys or gals work is you can genuinely be happy for others when they make great images.  In the past it was maddening to see others out shoot me, now I’m happy, and I actually get inspired by them!

 

Look at this way, in a great old western movie I love, “The Fastest Gun Alive.”  came one of my favorite quotes, “there’s always a faster gun!”  If you were to become the best photographer in the world today, in 15 minutes someone would surpass you.  Seems kind of pointless doesn’t it!?

 

Striving to be the best you can be is a good  thing,  just don’t tie your expectations to what others are doing!  Trust me it will be a lot more fun when you do!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim