I’ve been reading Steve McCurry’s Blog lately, and it’s forced me to rethink what I want to accomplish with my photography. I know we can’t all travel the world and evoke complex emotions with each shutter actuation, but I’d like to think I’m shooting with purpose.
When I got my first point and shoot, and then when I got my hands on a DSLR (thanks to David), I took pictures of anything and everything. But now? I don’t know. I think more before clicking. Perhaps that’s why I haven’t been posting as much lately – it’s not so much being busy as just wanting to take things to another level. I’m not sure what that next level is yet.
I’ll have some time to think about this in a couple of weeks when I travel back to Ireland. Ten hours in the air with no entertainment other than B movies that haven’t yet made it to DVD provides a lot of that. Also, it turns out Steve McCurry has an exhibit in the Temple Bar area of Dublin while I’m there, so I’ll need to check that out! Maybe Bono is wrong and I will find what I’m looking for?? 🙂
Jolene's Life in Focus 
I love this! I spend most of my time searching for subjects like this. I love your composition, and the lighting here.
Thank you! This was a great find – almost at the Canadian border! The Semihamoo/Blaine area has a lot of interesting subject matter like this.
I’m adding it to my places to check out as we speak. 🙂 Thanks for the tip!
Nice shot Jolene! I have to agree with Nigel, the bright sky in the upper left is a bit distracting, I would have used a negative gradient in Lightroom to lower the exposure in that area a bit, but I love the composition. Your progression in photography now needs focus, using “challenges” are usually a good way, but I have to tell you, Bono isn’t wrong, when you find what you “think” you’re looking for, there’ll always be something be something else on the horizon beckoning to you 🙂
Hi Michael – I don’t have Lightroom, but I do have Photoshop. I haven’t really done anything with it yet except for some light editing. I’ll have to look around and see what I can find. I know I’ve seen the negative gradient – just haven’t played with it. Thanks for the suggestion! I agree with the challenges. When I first started photography, it was all about composition, but now I’m more interested in learning the technical aspects, which I actually find more challenging, but in a good way.
Think you would make a good photo-journalist. You have an eye for a good shot, but also for putting together a story.
Maybe the purpose of your photography is simply to express yourself creatively. And maybe it’s about sharing images of the world as you see it, and the purpose is then wanting others to see the world through your eyes–having them take a moment to stop and see the beauty in something that might not normally be considered beautiful.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to grow as an artist, to become the best that you can be. . Perhaps struggling to figure out the purpose is what is blocking you — maybe you know the purpose, but feel as if “because it’s what I want and love to do” seems to esoteric to be a serious purpose. But, maybe, ultimately, the purpose is simply doing something that brings you great joy and happiness. And that’s quite a noble purpose. Or, maybe I’m just a babbling fool…
I really like this photo, especially as it’s one of those types of photos that makes you ask questions: like how did the canoe get there? was it placed purposely, or left? One can make up an entire story just looking at the photo.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for a thought-provoking comment! I don’t think you’re a babbling fool at all. I know I over-think everything, and oftentimes I just need to settle down and enjoy what I’m doing. It really is about sharing the world as I see it…and you see it…and the fact that there’s a story behind every post.
Im sure you will figure it out, probably when you least expect it though :). Have a safe trip!
Thanks, Morgan! You are probably right. 🙂
I was just there tonight with Cait! I am sure you will find the appropriate level. 😀
I like your shot too, David! It’s great that we can see something different in the same subject.
What an expressive photograph–with the boat buried like that, so close to shore–the way life is sometimes: we can be so near, but end up being buried by the sand…
Very expressive; dramatic and fabulous use of colour and lighting. Think you’re doing a great job so far of living up to shooting with a purpose.
Thank you for your encouragement, Heather…and I appreciate your thoughts on the photo. 🙂
Great shot Jolene! And definitely an interesting self study subject to think about.
Thanks, Jim. I think it’ll be good to reflect a bit and see what happens. 🙂
I like the image. I also think you’re going in a good direction – thinking about what you want to be doing and progressing from casual shooter to photographer. I’ll be interested to see where you go. 🙂
Thanks, Mike. Time will tell!
I’ve often found myself asking the same question! It’s exactly how I started taking pictures and developed that into a passion for photography!
I sometimes worry that I don’t take enough pictures but become overly critical of my own work when I start to shoot anything I see. Finding a balance and a subject that interests me has really helped.
I love working with people and as a result I think my photography has developed considerably from those early days. Still a ways to go though!
Safe trip over to Ireland!
Thank you, Anthony! Questioning ourselves is good – it helps us to examine our work and to improve upon it. You hit the nail on the head with finding a balance and a subject that interests you. I think we do our best work when we’re engaged in the subject. As much as I like inanimate objects because they sit still and let me think before shooting (ha) there’s something really fascinating about photographing people and capturing their expressions. I’d like to do more of that in the future.
I like this very much… I wonder if slightly darkening the tone of the sky would change it drastically…
Thanks, Nigel! With the way the sun was reflecting off of the clouds, this was a difficult sky to capture with the equipment available to me at the time. I’m hoping I can get better sky in the photos I take with the new lens I just ordered.