|  Beauty Divide, Zion NP
Making better images takes Time. I love to watch people looking at my images, regardless of where it is a gallery, an informal showing or even in my home. I enjoy standing back and being a fly on the wall, keeping my ears open to hear their honest reaction. When my true identity is revealed however I’m often asked how did you do that? Or Wow, what kind of camera do you have? The ladder question is generally followed by a tale of the person’s own experience of trying to unlock the secret to a great photograph. Many people think the type of camera you use is the key to unlocking that secret, they feel that using the same camera as a Weston or Cunningham will make their images on par with the masters. As most readers of this my column know, the camera is only a tool, the artist lugging that camera around thru hot sand dunes or thick winter snow is the real secret to a great photo. It’s the eye of the person behind the camera and the passion they feel that makes a picture. There is something else though that all photographers need to make a great image. The one thing that without it there would be no photography…no I’m not thinking of light (even though that is correct) I’m thinking of the one thing that even with all the light in the world you still need; time. Making better images takes time, but not just the ½ second it may take to capture that new, great picture, there’s a lot more time related events that go into making a great photograph. In fact there’s, let’s say, 7. - 1) Time for Inspiration: All great images come from somewhere, a location, a feeling or emotional connection within you. Often the best pictures are made when you’re excited about making new images, when you can’t wait to get out and create. That means you’re inspired. Even the best photographers find inspiration in other places or by other photographers. So spend some time to explore and find inspirations, maybe your inspiration will be found in an afternoon walk or by visiting a gallery or museum. Don’t be afraid to look around at other’s work and see what potentional is out there for you to lend your unique and creative perspective to. This is a great segway to number 2.
- 2) Time for research: So, you’ve found your inspiration and you think California’s Big Sur Coast is the place to use that inspiration. Great, now is the time to research, research, and research. Taking the time to get to know the area in which you’ll be working lays the foundation for a successful day of image making. Start by searching the internet for other artist’s work from the area. What locations may lend itself best to photography? Note any information that may be given with the images, what time of day are the most successful images from this area made, what time of year does the vegetation bloom or change color. This is the time to check weather forecast, driving directions, high and low tide times, hotels etc, any piece of information you may need to familiarize yourself with the area. Once you feel comfortable with an area you are free to create and not think about what might be around the next corner.
- 3) Take the time to create an itinerary for yourself: It doesn’t have to be anything too exact. Perhaps it’s as simple as listing the mornings and afternoons you have available to photograph, and a list of locations which are ideal for each time of day during the time of year you’ll be there. Spend the middle part of the day checking the other spots on your list or finding new ones. Scout for any interesting subjects that may be the foundation for that great image at another time of day.
- 4) Time for creativity: We all have our own style; with some of us it’s well developed while others are still uncovering it. But part of that discovery of your style is creativity. Be creative, take chances. You wonder what the image would look like with the sun in the frame. Try it. This is sound advice for any photographer, even the ones with a well developed style. It’s always good to push the envelope and see what happens, you never know, you may discover something new and it will be named after you. Take a look at some of William Neil’s work, he’s one of the finest photographers working today but he’s never afraid to try something new. So, give it a go, after all its only film or pixels or…time.
- 5) Take the time to nail the image: You’ve been inspired, done the research and your attempt in pushing the envelope has paid off with a “Wow!” jump for joy, hug anyone that may walk by you, composition in you viewfinder. Now how disappointed are you going to be when you review your images later and the exposure is wrong or a very distracting branch ran into the corner of your image? You’ve done all this work, so take the time to practice the technical part of your craft well. Meter carefully, check those highlights and shadows; are they going to fall where you want them? Do you need a graduated neutral density filter, polarizer or warming filter? And remember to add any filter factors and adjust for reciprocity failure. In the excitement of knowing you have something great it can be easy to overlook the hard to see. So take a deep breath, meter carefully, set your exposure, browse the edges of the frame and in ½ second it will be all over.
- 6) Time for Darkroom/Photoshop mastery: Once you have your image on film or a digital card its time to make a print. This is where an image becomes great. Great darkroom printers like John Sexton and of course Ansel Adams use the printing of an image as a chance to create their final vision. It’s an opportunity to take your image and turn it into Wow! Carefully adjust color and contrast and dodge and burn the image to bring out subtle details; use all your skills to make the image into the piece of art you envisioned while taking the image. You’ve spent a lot of time leading up to this point so don’t cheat yourself now.
- 7) Time for the perfect display: After you have your print, only one thing is left to do. Ready the print for display. This can come in many forms, from a traditional over mat and frame to canvas or something much more exotic. The only rule is pick the best display for your image and take your time to do it right. I can’t tell you how many wonderful images I’ve seen in terrible frames and/or mats and the image losses all its power. So take some time and finish the image properly and elegantly and all your time will have been well spent.
Photography isn’t something that should be rushed, it’s something that should be thoughtful and enjoyed. These are the steps I follow to give myself the opportunity to make the best images possible and I think I’ve been at least somewhat successful in doing so, give them a go and see if they help you as well. The image above Beauty Divide, Zion NP is a perfect example of taking the time to create an image. My trip to Utah's Zion NP was months in preparation, planning and research to select the best locations, the best times of day, the best routes and times of year. This particular image was created while on a hike to the Subway, which itself took a lot of time not to mention effort to get to. I made sure to not rush things during the creation of the image, I spend a great deal of time composing, metering and exposing the image. Once home and the film was back I spend a few days scanning and adjusting the image in Photoshop to create the image I wanted. |
