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?
Seeing the World of Beauty
I'd rather immerse myself in what makes the world lovely instead of what makes me sad. Any day of the year is a good day for this.
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.
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.
Philosophy
If you want to change the way you take photos you have to change the way you think. Photography is not just about F-stops and shutters. You cannot shoot what you cannot see.
China Photography Tour
Landscapes and people are just the beginning for this two week exploration in China. From the imperial elegance of Beijing's palaces to the hand ploughed fields of terraces in Guangxi. We take the time to enjoy the culture of China and immerse ourselves in a photographic feast. The people of China are as friendly as they are artistic - take inspiration to cultivate your own expression on the journey of a lifetime.
Peter Henry Emerson
I believe that all photography is art. As with all arts the medium in which it is expressed changes the ability of the artist to express themselves. 120 years ago another photographer named Peter Henry Emerson struggled with the truth about art and photography, and overlooked the beauty of his own work.
Transformation
Curation is not just about finding a balance, it’s about finding a story. Your story.
Blurb Restores Photography to Reality
Blurb has been a wonderful development for me because now I can see more of my photographic expression converted to the printed media for which cameras were originally intended. The digital age has made photography more relevant and more accessible, but Blurb and other sites like it have returned digital photography to the essence of the art - sharing a printed image.
Gear is good - Vision is better
Wise words from David du Chemin have made this website something of a success story. David's nuggets of wisdom are liberally sprinkled across the PixelatedImage Blog, along with PDF e-books priced at just $5 each.
Photography is My Family
Someone recently commented to me, “I don’t know how you do it all!” Which seemed kind of funny because most of the time I feel like I’m not doing nearly enough. I’m also aware how lucky I am to have the luxury of dedicating myself to my photography in a way that not everyone can. It’s not that I don’t have time for friends and family, it's just that photography IS my family.
Get Closer
The most recurring theme for a travel photographer is to seek to understand something about your subject before you photograph it. The first step is towards understanding is physically getting closer to your subject.
