Early on I was so driven to do landscape and wildlife work that I told myself that I would never be interested in macro or flash photography. I think that making a statement like that was driven out of fear of not being able to do it correctly.........but then I thought about the early days of learning exposure, composition and the artistry of doing your own thing. I was afraid of not doing that right either, but I had this undying desire to learn. The more comfortable I got, the more experimental I became and that's when you become a true artist. I no longer look at something for only what it is but also for what it can be.
The same goes for your photographic knowledge. This year I started to use my macro lens a little more and then eventually figured out how to alter the shots in interesting and imaginative ways. I then started playing with my flash from a fill perspective but since then have purchased a 30 foot cord to allow me to try many different lighting angles. My fear of getting it right disappeared as I began to produce photos that looked the way I wanted them to look. Right or wrong didn't matter anymore and the art of the experimental took off. I have spent entire weekends shooting nothing but macro and flash altered pictures.....no landscapes or wildlife to be found......and it's ok!!
I know who I am as a photographer and I think I know what people expect out of my work.....but I don't ever want to feel trapped into only producing certain types of pictures. I may live in the landscape world but will always venture into whatever I find interesting.
You may look at my new work and be slightly disappointed that it's not a grand landscape.......but I know that you will always find it interesting and hopefully emotionally moving. At a recent show, a visitor to my booth told me that looking at my photographs gave them "Goosebumps". To me, that is the ultimate compliment.
Another visitor viewing this photo http://bit.ly/1961mzh asked why I am only showing half the flower. They thought that it was a very interesting picture..................I rest my case.
I get asked all of the time if I do portraits or weddings. I am an outdoors guy. I like the freedom of doing my own thing.....besides, the thought of doing portraits and weddings terrifies me..........................hmmm, could that be my next frontier??? For me, learning macro and flash was like climbing to the top of Devil's Lake........Doing weddings......makes me think about Mt. Everest........the desire to learn says yes. The verbal abuse from an upset relative says........well, maybe : )
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