Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/04/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ted Grant wrote: > Colin J offered: > Subject: Re: [Leica] why we photograph? > > > My photography improved very much after I > took > > drawing classes at the local college. I took > the > > classes to help my architectural photography > but > > it made me think more about composition > always, > > not just in shooting buildings. When I can, > I > > now take more time to previsualise.<<<< > > Hi Colin, > I'm sure "previsualizing" has much to do with > the variations of subjects we > all shoot. > > The action of previsualizing a subject has > never been part of my photography > and even though I've read of this action by > many, I must shoot in an > entirely different manner and mind set. > > Mine is generally like the action of, "Jeeeeesh > look at that, click!" I > suppose because my photography is primarily > people, actions and things > happening there's hardly a second to > previsualizing because if I did the > action would be over. > > But I find it interesting when I read > photographers "previsualize" a scene > then shoot. I can understand why in many cases, > none moving things, but it's > extremely rare I have. Maybe I should change > subject matter and slow me > down a bit. ;-) Ted, Whatever you do, do not change. You got it right! Your photos include very many outstanding shots. Most of these, if you tried to previsualise, you would not have got. You would have missed the "decisive moment". For me, learning to draw, and to previsualise, applies only to architecture (and still life and flower shots, but I don't do those). In other words, things that don't move, as you say. It could never work in photojournalism, because that involves an immediacy (right word?) that you have to respond to just as quickly. I try to previsualise formal portraits (my day job) but I don't have much time. I would be surprised if I ever make a portrait as good as yours of Jackie Kennedy. That is an iconic image, maybe one of the ten best I have ever seen, it really is that good. It almost defines Jackie Kennedy to me. I bet there was no time to previsualise that! Someone of your ability can see a shot and make it happen in a moment, producing an image that people all over the world will remember. That ability is very rare and the results are precious. For me, I have to take my time because I am learning, and I don't have your ability to make fast response. Maybe one day! But slowing down has helped my architecture shots. I want to do large format too and that will slow me even more. Thank you so much for your comments. Reading your words here on LUG is a great pleasure. Colin ___________________________________________________________ Win a BlackBerry device from O2 with Yahoo!. Enter now. http://www.yahoo.co.uk/blackberry