It’s been a busy couple of weeks with trips up and down Lincolnshire, and Derbyshire and Nottingham – plus a two days out in South Manchester. I’ve spoken to a lot of photographers who have been to my talks, and it’s surprising what topics come up. The same things seem to get rehashed over and over, but sometimes something surprising crops up.
We were talking about photo comparisons, and how people put images on Facebook, or Instagram, or what have you…. And ask which image is best – the black and white or the colour….. and I know we’ve chatted about this before on here, but it’s worth reiterating at this point, that the best image is the one the photographer likes best.
Someone mused to me that maybe Leonardo DaVinci might have asked his compatriots which smile the Mona Lisa should have – big beaming, no smile at all – or should I go for the enigmatic one?
Interesting to think though – did he decide on his own, or did he ask someone? I willing to believe that by this time in his career, he made his own mind up…..
And so should we…. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, we need to stop worrying about what other people think. I know that we want to feel ‘accepted’, but we also need to be brave, and experiment – don’t let rules get in the way of your photographic life, and your vision. Nothing these days is completely original, we are all standing on the shoulders of giants. To copy is to learn.
Decide what you love, and copy what you love. Don’t be afraid, blend your ideas.
When asked which picture is your favourite….. the answer has to be “the one I will take tomorrow”.. because when you spend too much time trying to please everyone, in the end you will please no-one, not even yourself.
Today though, is cold and wet, the clouds are scudding by, and it’s a bit too cold for me out there. The dogs are damp and the sound of snoring (albeit gentle) comes from behind me. The girl dog snores, the other silent till a dreaming rabbit goes past……. We’re back from breakfast out with friends, and I think of things that I love..
Of course, breakfast with friends, clouds in the sky, dreaming dogs – twitching in their sleep – comfy beds, hot tea, chocolate straight from the fridge, improving weather and bike rides…… and the possibility of some photographs to come…….
Bring it on…………
Photographic Musings......... Or 