Dancing Branches, Lake St. Clair Metropark, MI
I tend to be a fairly solitary photographer in the field, with not much around other than my subjects and me. I usually have a lot going on in my head – mostly internal pressure to find something to photograph as I know something must always be out there, it is just up to me to find it. Tossing around ideas, concepts, trying to remember that thing I was supposed to remember, working against time and changing light.
But every now and then, the spots I pick have other people around – walkers, joggers, hikers, dog walkers. If I have a long lens, you will get questions if you are photographing “an ant on the moon,” but more often than not people wonder what the heck I am photographing. The subject perhaps isn’t always so obvious. I suppose I can’t blame people for being curious. It is not everyday you see some guy with a tripod extended more than 6 feet up leaning against a tree looking upward. Despite the disruption in concentration, or perhaps the rapidly fading light, I try to be polite and just tell them. But I’d rather not get into a long explanation explaining it.
The funny thing is – sometimes I get a reaction like “Oh…” Then silence. I figure they either don’t want to ask further questions, or came to the conclusion this guy has missing some screws. I may be actually asking myself the same question – why the heck am I photographing this??! But I’d rather come to the answer on my own. That happened when I was photographing these trees. A couple of elderly ladies were out for their morning walk, and saw this guy with a tripod precariously leaning against the tree above. I answered what I thought was rather obvious “This Tree.”
Yep…. I got the “Oh…” And they just stood there looking at me. They have probably walked past this tree hundreds of times, but from where they were standing on the boardwalk off to the side, it probably just looked like… well – a tree. 🙂 Now I am feeling pressured to elaborate. I told them “I thought the design of these branches was really interesting.” One of the ladies responded “Yes, trees are beautiful,” and they moved on. I may not be 100% confident I even know what I am doing at the time. But in this case, I was happy with the final resulting image. Now, if I could only find those ladies to show them.
I think so many art forms are solitary endeavors. Painting, sculpting, photography. No two artists see things alike and the gap grows even larger when non artisitic people fail to see the forest for the trees.
I’ve often had my camera set up facing some tallgrass prairie widlflowers only to be asked what was I filming.
I think maybe since some of my subjects are small, people not familiar withi photography or filmmaking don’t realize how you can isolate a subject with a busy background and make it stand out. To their eyes all they see is a jumbled mess.
That jumbled mess is what it is all about right? I guess I feel a privilege, and a little bit of a curse in trying to make some order out of these messes. 🙂
I did a lot of thinking after reading this post. It really is a privilege to be able to see through the jumbled mess and isolate a detail that becomes a beautiful image.
I started taking pictures with my iPhone after I was done filming something to show the general scene where I had filmed. It’s amazing to look at the iPhone picture and be barely able to see the final composition.
I guess somehow photographers and filmmakers are able to shut out the distractions and find the needle in the haystack. Not quite sure how it works but for me, I’m glad it does! 🙂
Being an introvert, photography is the perfect pastime for me. It’s not a team sport and I would think that being with others would put a crimp in your photographic style. You’re responsible for your own vision and other can just get in the way.
Same here Ken, and it is my “recharging time” as introverts so desperately need.
Luckily for me the questions usually come when I’m waiting for the light versus actually shooting. Interruptions do happen and in a couple of rare instances I’ve asked people to wait just a bit for me to answer. Most are just happy to be recognized and answered whether there is a delay or not. Great post and wonderful photo!
I know that situation well Jim – unfortunately it is sometimes from chatty photographers. I feel like reminding them – “Umm – the light is happening here, are you here to shoot the sh*t or shoot the photo?” 🙂 Thanks much.
A great shot, Mark. I also am a solitary photographer. There is a spiritual/therapeutic experience involved for me. Even when shooting on the streets people will look at me and wonder what it is I’m focusing on. And, some will not see what we see even when told what I’m looking at. Nor, am I able to express it in words. Oh, well, it’s for me anyway.
I am much the same way Monte.
I am convinced that no two people see the world exactly the same (certainly no two people can ever have the exact same perspective at the exact same time so that fact alone tends to support that view) and because of that it’s not always easy to express to others what has caught our eye. In any case I like what you saw in this tree.
I can see where some people standing side by side ~might~ end up with very similar images. But when you are talking about a photographer and a non-photographer – sometimes you think they are on different planets in what they describe and see. Thanks for the remarks on the tree Cedric.
Love that tree shot, Mark. Looks like it would make a killer large print.
Hey Gary – thanks for stopping by. I hope that someday that opportunity to print it large comes along.
I usually am solitary also, Mark. But recently while at Acadia I spent time with a couple of different photographers. While talking with one other at a spot next to a water body called the Tarn which is right along a state highway, I was asked why photographers were at that spot and what we were photographing. It was a bit dumbfounding. Firstly, the park was officially closed so photographers were many other places…it turned out we were also allowed to walk in but I did not know that at that moment. Secondly, it is a nice spot with a mountain backdrop covered with changing trees. And finally, the Tarn itself was peppered with large tufts of grass and reeds all surrounded, at that time, with golden foliage reflected light. Seemed obvious enough. I’ll post one of the images shortly.
This is a cool look up into your tree. I like that you take us right up the trunk before wandering around within the branches. Monochrome is perfect for the patterns you’ve composed.
Thanks Steve. From what I read on your related post, it seems to be a common experience to some.