“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”
Ansel Adams
The Work of Photography
While being interview by some high school students considering media and the arts as a vocation, I was asked, “who is my competition?”. To the which I replied, I compete with ignorance and apathy. I blame the cell phone and social media for the dumbing down of the civilized planet when it comes to recognizing the value of a well made image and the work of photography.
For example, a year ago I was asked to photograph the “Pit Crew”, the members only club at Third Wheel Brewing. The concept was modeled after a painting Leonardo da Vinci made. Then recently the ownership decided a 5 foot print would look nice in the “back room”. Here’s the image.
And here’s the final product. A 60 inch brilliant image printed on metal. It finishes the wall over the bench seat and definitely captures the character of the space.
Try doing that with your cell phone image.
The work of photography is a labor of love.
Wrapping Up the Year
I won’t burden you with all the other stuff that went into the image like studio lighting, directing a dozen people who’ve already had a couple, post production and printing. That’s what I get paid for. And yes, I had a couple beers – it’s the work of photography!
I will leave you with a couple images I shot from my friend, Caleb Hunter’s Cessna airplane as we flew around St. Louis on the evening of the winter solstice, December 21. And yes, it was work too. Work that I love.
Thank you for dropping by today. Patty and I wish you the happiest of holidays however you celebrate.
See you next year.
Mike
P.S. What is the most recent printed photo you have of your loved ones? Is it something you’ll cherish later on, or wish you had after it’s too late? If it matters, contact me here and I’ll be happy to discuss making a photograph you will love and cherish.
P.P.S. Leave me a note or comment down below.