Did a pre-dawn run to help create some marketing images for Red Rock Jeep Tours with the Jane Zane Ad Agency. Worked in a great spot that allowed us to have a view of the red rocks in the background. It was wonderful collaborating with Jane. This is the first time I’ve worked with her and look forward more photo shoots in the future…
Red Rock Jeep Tours jeep in early AM light.
Another view of Red Rock Jeep
Images captured with the Lumix GH4 and the 35-100 f2.8 Lumix Vario glass. Exposure 1/80 sec f9 ISO 200. Multiple images were made to control contrast of the scene and blended together…
A conversation that often appears in forums or where artists or photographers gather is one of is photography art?
From Wikipedia – Fine art photography is photography created in accordance with the vision of the artist as photographer.
I absolutely believe it to be true. Look at different photographers through the generations and you’ll find there are several that stand out in different aspects of photography head and shoulders above the rest of the field.
Why? For some it is the pioneering of new techniques. For others it is the subject matter chosen. For still others it is an ability to see light where others find it not. I know early in my career I was hanging out with another photographer and watched him take a photo. I was not sure what he was seeing. Turns out it was a picture of the ground and some shadows created from multi-colored lights. It was captivating! And I never saw it…
Vision. Technique. Tools. All of these things make it possible to create something. Some can push the limits and make the ordinary extraordinary. That my friends is the art of photography. If you give the same camera, lens and subject to 10 different photographers you will receive 10 different photographs. Will all of them be art? No. Will any of them? Possibly. It depends on the skills of the maker with that particular subject, lighting skills.
“…it does seem to me that Capa has proved beyond all doubt that the camera need not be a cold mechanical device. Like the pen, it is as good as the man who uses it. It can be the extension of mind and heart…” – John Steinbeck.
Is my photography art? Some is… but not all.
That’s why I continue to pursue education, to attend classes and conventions, study images, study the classic painters, photographers and cinematographers, read books and magazines on photography, painting and color, experiment, practice and teach. (cause I learn a ton when I teach – I also love to see the lights go on in someone’s eyes as they begin to understand new concepts)
Let’s check in with other art genres and see what they have to say…
I have discovered photography. Now I can kill myself. I have nothing else to learn. – Pablo Picasso
I have always been very interested in photography. I have looked at far more photographs than I have paintings. Because their reality is stronger than reality itself. – Francis Bacon
What are your thoughts on photography as Fine Art?
Butterflies! Even the name kind of pushes you to run back to childhood. Especially when you walk in and the first thing that happens is a butterfly flutters around your head… and then lands on your nose! Really!
I decided to take the Lumix FZ 1000 because of the long reach, 4K video and fast glass to see what I could see…
This moth caught my eye. The warm tones and patterns with the cool colors toward the center really worked for me.
The long zoom allowed for some really nice bokeh.
A more traditional butterfly capture of a monarch on a flower.
I told you the butterfly came to visit up close and personal. Thanks to fellow visitor Phyllis Pardoll for capturing
the fleeting moment and sending me the quick snap before my visitor departed.
OK you know me and even though nature is beautiful in her own right I had to play to see what I could do to push the patterns of the moth to new places. Let me know what you think!
This is still a work in progress. Experimentation rules!
Hope you don’t mind but I want to take a few minutes here to introduce you to and do a salute to my best friend, girl friend, business partner and wife.
Her name is Holly and she makes it possible for me to accomplish the things I do.
You may have noticed in some of the last few weeks posts on my blog, Facebook and twitter that I have been fortunate enough to win some awards for my photography from Professional Photographers of America, American Society of Photographers and our state group Arizona Professional Photographers Association.
Holly is my sponsor at the Ceremony at PPA convention in Nashville receiving the Master Artist Degree.
(Thanks for the image sequence from Robin Swanson Photography)
Holly is the bookkeeper for the business and our personal finances. She makes sure all the bills are paid on time.
Holly is the maintenance engineer for the house. If there’s a dripping faucet she’ll grab a wrench and know which washer to get from the hardware store.
In her life before we met she was a landscape designer and so the area around our home is always looking manicured because she doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty and making sure all is in order. (including cleaning up after the Javalina that have decided our yard is their lavatory)
Holly feeds the hummingbirds and sets out water for the other birds and wildlife that frequent our yard. (Often getting up early to make sure the bowls are thawed from overnight freezing)
She’s takes care that I look spiff and professional taking care of the laundry and not letting me wear the comfy shirts out in public that are, shall we say, ‘Past Their Prime”? (you know we guys don’t notice that stuff)
When I travel for business all is packed and proper because of her attention to detail.
Meals are wonderful. Sometimes she’ll even let me help clean up.
She has been my biggest supporter and cheerleader over the years and should I let any of the accolades go to my head she’ll be the first to make sure my ego is held firmly in check. (think of the ‘head smack’ Agent Gibbs gives to his team on CBS’s NCIS)
They say that behind every successful man there’s a great woman. My great woman is Holly. (look good in red doesn’t she?)
Holly does even more but I think you get the idea… My creativity in making images, service to the photography profession and service to our community is possible because of her.
I can’t tell you how fortunate I am to have someone like Holly in my life and I give thanks every day.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – I’d love to hear about who has helped you and supported you in your endeavors…
OK let’s take a look at the actual video that I pulled the stills from in the previous post. The Lumix FZ 1000 is quite impressive. This video is about 30 seconds short and worth a quick peek and probably tells the story a little better than words alone. Check it out.
Lumix FZ 1000 video captured in Nashville at the Imaging USA Convention
For infrared conversion of my cameras I use LifePixel. Infrared allows you to put an older camera to use and opens up a new time time of day for productive image creation.
Learn Photoshop in a fun environment. Aaron Nace applies the right amount of fun with easy to understand and follow tutorials. Actions and brushes are included with lessons!
Lightning, waterdroplets, sound, time-lapse, HDR sequences, smiles and much more control for your camera!
Cameras Get Smarter -
A High Speed Smart Camera Remote
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