Today I am sharing my passion for photography.
The portfolio posted is a traditional version developed for an intro digital photography course. It was designed to show a variety of kinds of work.
Frankly, there are a few clunkers in the mix. Another flaw is a repetition in subject: i.e. three close-up shots of windows. This serves as a good reminder to edit portfolios to include only 12 to 15 stellar shots.
And the slideshow format used on Blogger is poor. See how the images are not shown full frame? The top and bottom of the photos are cut off. In addition, there is no way to enlarge the viewing screen. YouTube is a better option for posting shows because you have the capability to show the slides full screen.
I decided to post this basic portfolio here as an educational tool for others.
For creative inspiration, I always recommend reading the books of Freeman Patterson, a photographer with the spirit of a poet. "Photo Impressionism and the Subjective Image", "Photography and the Art of Seeing", and "The Photography of the Natural World" are just a few good titles. Although the books may reference pre-digital technical stuff , his personal philosophy, practical exercises, and refreshing vision make these books timeless treasures.
Check out "Doing Documentary Work" by Robert Coles for thought provoking writing on the ethics of photography. While I may not agree with every point made, there are valuable insights that prompt dialogue about our right to photograph others and our responsibilities to those whose pictures we take.
And another classic that always has a place on my bookshelf is John Berger's "Ways of Seeing".
I end with some quotes I enjoy related to this pursuit:
You don’t need to go anywhere to go everywhere. I can think of no situation —none whatever– where exciting visual possibilities do not exist. —Freeman Patterson
…to stop rushing around, to sit quietly on the grass, to switch off the world and come back to Earth, to allow the eye to see a willow, a bush, a cloud, a leaf, is an “unforgettable experience.” —Frederick Frank, “The Zen of Seeing”
I think a good portrait ought to tell something of the subject’s past and suggest something of his future. —Bill Brandt
…the sight of stars always sets me dreaming just as naively as those black dots on a map set me dreaming of towns and villages. —Vincent Van Gogh
And another classic that always has a place on my bookshelf is John Berger's "Ways of Seeing".
I end with some quotes I enjoy related to this pursuit:
You don’t need to go anywhere to go everywhere. I can think of no situation —none whatever– where exciting visual possibilities do not exist. —Freeman Patterson
…to stop rushing around, to sit quietly on the grass, to switch off the world and come back to Earth, to allow the eye to see a willow, a bush, a cloud, a leaf, is an “unforgettable experience.” —Frederick Frank, “The Zen of Seeing”
I think a good portrait ought to tell something of the subject’s past and suggest something of his future. —Bill Brandt
…the sight of stars always sets me dreaming just as naively as those black dots on a map set me dreaming of towns and villages. —Vincent Van Gogh
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