Practical Philosophies
The art of photography is not about the camera, it's about what you do with it. Change your attitude to change your photography.
Slow It Down
Walking with a macro is nice, but only works if you adjust your pace to suit the task. Macro photography is process of exploration. Slow it down. Slow. It. Down.
4K for Minimalists
How much gear do you really need to get started with quality 4K video production? We tend to think that better video is about adding more gear, but smaller rigs and zero accessories is fast becoming the ultimate setup for engaging cinematography.
AI Is Not Your Friend
The lines between photography and digital art have never been more blurred. But what happens when you remove the role of photographer entirely?
WrenFest in the City of Melbourne
November is #WrenFest in the City of Melbourne, an event to help researchers attract support for identifying and submitting sightings of the Superb Fairy-wren in our urban parklands. I'll be running an online photography presentation that is open to anyone who wants to learn a little about birds and cameras, plus a photo walk for those living here in Melbourne.
Learning To See
Capturing in B+W is not merely about getting a better handle on light and dark. Given a chance it can drag you much deeper into the entire point of photography as an art form.
Why Is More Important Than How
Sometimes we focus too much on the style and not enough on substance. What motivates us to capture images is far important than the camera itself.
No Bystanders
It can be very very difficult to connect with people, to crack open a gap and peer inside the lives of others. It demands patience and honesty. There is no camera upgrade or new technology to make it easier.
Transformation
Curation is not just about finding a balance, it’s about finding a story. Your story.
What An Image Should Be
How do you know what processing an image needs? I get asked this a lot. “What should I do to make this image better”. The problem is, that depends on what constitutes your idea of better! The answer lies in you, not the pixels.
Camera Not Included
Happy to announce my 80 page eBook for my subscribers to enjoy. It's full of gorgeous black and white images in the Himalayas, and a small collection of new articles. It's been two years since I finished writing "ReIMAGINE", and I had a few more chapters in my head to share.
Documentary Vs Art
This discussion threads itself through almost every chapter of photographic philosophy I have ever written. It was time I wrote something directly on the topic. Where is the line between documentary and art and why does it matter?
Presentation is Everything
Taking great photos is never enough, it’s how you present them that matters. The internet creates an entirely new challenge for presenting photographic work, but also entirely new opportunities.
Priorities
In the space of a fortnight I've had the same story told to me by two different people, both of whom are very talented with a camera. They went to a workshop to learn new skills and came away with less control over their camera and creativity. They were forced to shoot fully manual and ended up moving away from their best creativity instead of towards it.
The Photographic Paradox
Each photograph is a stepping stone on a journey. We think of photography as freezing time and capturing the moment. But what are we really holding onto and where do all those pixels end their journey?
Why Competitions Suck
There are two things in the world of photography I really hate. Weddings and competitions. At least with a wedding shoot you might get paid at the end of it, which therefore makes competitions the most evil thing in the world.
Why We Ask First
Asking permission before taking photos of a stranger is not just a matter of respect, it’s also the path to better portraits and a more rewarding experience for you and your subject.
Don't Jump
A friend of mine was thinking of jumping ship recently, sending overboard his dreams of professional photography in favour of other challenges and loves. His experience gave me pause to consider why we take photos at all, and what can better motivate our creative work.
More Than The Photo
So much of what I see in competition photography is directed inwards to the photo itself. The analysis, the scoring and judging. It’s about the photo. What’s missing in the bigger picture, when all we consider is the picture itself?
