Hey, this is a fun philosophical topic to think about. Maybe someone would like to research it and make a presentation to the Photo Club this season. Bring your ideas to the Education Group and see what they think.
Since Bob Hazlett sent some great photos of his travel this summer – in Cape Cod and Hyannis – I wanted to introduce them in this blog – So, I started to think why I was so glad he sent them – I went to the internet and thought a little about it – You know, I think our Club should learn more about why we enjoy seeing photos – I bet if we all think about why we photographers photograph, we will become better photographers and enjoy our sport a little more.
From the Internet:
Didn’t have a camera by my side this time,
hoping I would see the world through both my eyes.Today I finally overcame,
trying to fit the world inside a picture frame.Maybe you should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes;
it brought me back to life.—John Mayer, “3×5”
That does not sound right because here I am the leader of the Photo Club I take photos every day – some times every hour – I could have ask “Why take photos?” So I went to the internet and ask that question. I found many articles and essays on the subject.
Here is a portion of just one essay I found:
“During my last vacation, I avoided reaching for my phone to take pictures. Though I was conscious about this choice, I slipped up a few times. Every beautiful sunset, every Wyoming sky, every rushing Montana river, brought with it the twitch, an urge to reach for my camera-phone and seize the picturesque setting. I resisted, though, and after an instant of hesitation, I was able to enjoy each event for all its worth—not attempting to put a piece of it in my pocket to save for later. I took it all in—right then, right there—enjoying the experience for what it was: a perfect moment.
Don’t get me wrong: I think photography is a beautiful art form. When well-executed, photos are breathtaking. Furthermore, we’re a visual culture, so pictures play a large role in the way we communicate. I’m not going to stop taking photos altogether, but I am going to remain more cognizant of my surroundings. I’m going to enjoy the experience first and embrace the impermanence of the moment. And if an unobtrusive opportunity arises to snap a photos, then I will. Maybe. Or maybe not. It’s okay to be on the mountain without proving to everyone else you were there to see it.”
I am not sure I like the tone of that essay – Here is where it sent my mind:
So, do you snap photos to prove you were there, to refresh you memory of the moment when alone six months later in the dead of winter, or in the dead of winter does your photo help you tell a story at that social cocktail party.
My thought is: If you are on a photo shoot looking for birds, taking a walk around the TGO community/nature trail, on a travel to Cape Cod, or enjoying life on my Great Lake called Naadowewi-Gichigami (Lake Huron), enjoy the experience first and embrace the impermanence of the moment, them snap photos often. You will have time to enjoy the moment and snap photos. Then use your photographs – Share them to encourage others to enjoy photography, share them to let others simply stay in touch with you, share later over cocktails to serve as an aid to telling your story, in the dead of winter refresh your memory of the moment, and look at them anytime and marvel that your photograph is a piece of art that you and your friends love. Why we humans love art is another whole topic but we do love to look at art.
So, say I, keep that shutter going on every trip – not just in your motor home, but on those trips through all the hours of your life! Where ever they may be.
08 20 2019 Bob Hazlett, Hazletts
08 20 2019 Bob Hazlett – Hazletts and Spains are moving north.
08 20 2019 Bob Hazlett,
08 20 2019 Bob Hazlett,
08 20 2019 Bob Hazlett,
This photo is unmodified – it is as I took it – A Sea Gull pooped as it flew over my concrete drive and this is what happened – Is that Gull and artist or what!!!
This chimney is all that remains of Ford Drummond – built by the British in 1812, or thereabouts, after being driven from Mackinac Island. I took my canoe around the point of land across the bay. It then took an hour or more hike for me to locate this chimney – which I knew was there somewhere – It is on private land – they came out and sort of questioned me – They were nice about my intrusion but I only took one iPhone photo and quickly exited their property.
Since I spoke of using the photos to tell stories – the first two photo I used to tell you the story of my artistic Gull and of my long hike on Drummond. Then, I decided to show you how much fun I have making art from photos – Here I used PhotoShop to integrate 6 photographs to make one photo art.
As you swing thru life – Take your camera with you at all times – use it often – maybe every hour and then make use of the photos as I discussed my thinking above. Then tell me of your own reasons for the photograph.
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