Stan Rose

Thanks for an excellent and informative article. As someone who is constantly trying to develop a more cohesive, unique style i found these insights very helpful. I think your statement about shooting icons is a subject worthy of much discussion; I do not feel it is difficult to shoot iconic locations with a unique perspective or style, the problem is that people are used to seeing an icon in a particular way, so your way may not be well-received by the viewing public. I would also caution a general audiance about "rule-breaking", which is commonly cited as a strate

Fascinating and very telling article, Alain.  As one who has struggled with finding an audience not only for my photography but also for my photo-art, and my music (too many hobbies, too little time...) it was nice to see such a deatiled discussion of the subject.  Finding a balance between staying true to your personal vision, while recognizing the need to reach out to an audience to bring your vision to other people, is a very challenging and delicate process!

'Abstract' is like 'Pornographic'--you know it when you see it! Seriously, i like these semantic discussions, must be the writeaholic in me. I often refer to subjects that are nearly whole or quite recognizable, but still strongly built on basic form or pattern, as "semi-abstract".  BTW, those are some real nice abstracts, Darwin!

Thanks for the insights, Arnab! Meticulous planning and careful thought with previsualization are definitely important. Some of my best experiences have come when things do not go according to plan, however.  It's those unexpected 'twists' that sometimes really make things interesting for me, I think you alluded to this sort of thing towards the end of your article.

Tahaks or the informative article, Richard. Im curious as to some conclusions, however. Take the DOF issue, for example. Do you think there are cases where a shallow DOF would be effective in preenting a wide view, and if so, what would those cases be? Or do you think that it should be as the camera sees it and not the observor.

Excellent article, Alain, it really has me wanting to go out and try something new and challenging! You make a number of very good suggestions. I'd like to expand a bit on your comment regarding a target audience: I agree it is important to focus on an appreciative audience that encourages you, but add that this idea can be taken too far, and the danger is that you end up feeding your own delusions or weaknesses (think, American Idol contestants who think they are World class talents when really they are tone-deaf!). Sometimes the best way to grow creatively is to give serious attention t

Wow, what a great article--tons of info here! Those nightime lupine shots are absolutely crazy! Ive got to try some of this out soon, too bad my lowly 5D cant handle the high ISOs...sigh.

Great article Ian! Great photos too--i especially like the crab foreplay!  I wholeheartedly agree with you, its those magical moments that make photography great for me. The flip side of this article is that beauty and magic can also be found in mundane conditions and subjects too--and in my opinion the photographers who can capture that kind of magic are the truly great ones. BTW, i do have a photo of Delicate Arch with a dancing polar bear and lightning, it was just some great luck, i'm holding back on showing it though--will post it as my 1,000th post on NPN

Nice article, Sam! Im just the opposite--never carry a cellphone or gps, never tell anyone where im going, leave home many of the 'essentials' if it saves me weight...all the things most people would consider stupid, and even i acknowlege are not the wisest moves, but i wouldn't have the same good experience if i put much thought into protecting myself. Ive just been lucky so far, with only a few close calls. Well, if i ever get stuck and am forced to cut off my own leg or arm to get out, at least i'll have a good story to tell and maybe can retire on the speaking tour mon

Good article on some solid compostional techniques, Ian. As a musician, I especially appreciate your discussion of counterpoint, something any profficient musician is aware of but may not consciously think about with photography. While I don't own any pitchforks, I routinely point out when someone ignores the ROT, because often they ignore it either because they didn't even consider the rule (which often has no relation to how experienced they are) or because they purposely ignore it, for the sake of ignoring it. The difference is, when you ignore the rule, you can verbalize a good r

Very well put, Sam!  You've made some excellent points. The flip side is that despite the abundance of "shoot different or be damned" articles, the vast majority of phtoographers still gravitate to the familiar, and i'm not sure it's always because they just like what they see, i think it's also because it's the "easy" thing to do.

I make a distinction between my "photo art" and my photography. Maybe my philosophy will change tomorrow, but i see my photo art as an alteration of reality to express a personal emotion, a dreamscape or fantasy. On the other hand, I want people to be able to relate to my 'staright' photos, which they may not be able to do if they're the product of inner interpretation. I want to capture an emotion or vision that is out there floating in space, not one within my head. The danger of the 'anything goes--all in the name of artistic expression' idea is t

Great article, Sam! This ex-lawyer is sticking with his hobby for now, but i would like to get my photos seen by more people, and you've made some good suggestions, thanks!

Thanks, Jim! Your work is very much appreciated. I joined NPN about 5 years ago on a friend's recommendation, when I asked him for suggestions on clubs/groups where I could learn more about photography. At the time, I had only been using an SLR for about a year or so. I can say without a doubt  that my skills as a photographer have improved 1000 percent since joining this network, and I have learned more from this group than from all other sources combined. I have also made numerous friends, both online and off, through my association with this group. I consider it a dis

Ha! Terrific article. You do realize that Miller will probably sue your pants off for trademark violation Now i know what i must do to succeed in the future of photogrpahy...must go write some I-Brain Apps, better go get busy... Actually, i bet you a can of magic shrooms that the I-Brain will become reality in 10...no make that 5, years. Oh, and i seriously think that the 'future photo' looks much more realistic than the Zion sunset...so that gives me hope for the future of digital. If you posted that on ESS (go ahead, the mods wont notice) i gaurantee that it would get 10

Interesting article, Alain. I can relate. I studied fine arts and music in college; on a whim, i took the music entrance exam and failed miserably. It was a ridiculously hard test but i figured I didnt possess the talent to pass it. That may be the case--I could practice my instrument (guitar) 8 hours a day and never acheive the technical profficiency of some naturally gifted musicians. Whether that kind of ability exists with photographers is debatable, i guess. What I do know is that style does not require talent, and personal style is something that photographers seem to avoid, because th

Nice article, some good food for thought! Can you clarify why fine art is a "polarized activity"? I think of art as bringing people together, as music does...

Thanks for a great interview, Richard! Ive been a big fan of Art's especially since my days at UW; I always look to his PacNW books for inspiration.

One thing that has always struck me about the NPN group since I joined 5 years ago is the community aspect of the group, how everyone supports everyone else, even in personal crises in addition to our photographic pursuits. I envision somehow pooling all this varied talent into one collective effort. I'm not sure what form it would take--some have suggested a book by NPN members, or maybe a gallery exhibit, an international convention--I really don't know!  But I'd want it to be big!  As a landscape photographer, I see the more active participants in this group

Ah man--here i was all impressed that Marc had learned some strange new Inuit dialect, and it turns out to be a format error--bummer! I'm still a big fan, Marc

I agree, fascinating interview! Ill definitely be thinking about it when im out hiking in a couple days.

tell me bout it...my 'new' manfrotto is in the shop right now after it recently fell apart. I just got an assignement offer and ive got to pray now that it comes back in time...ive got lots of backups--5 or 6 i think, but theyre either broken too or not sturdy enough for the job. BTW, using a tripod as a walking stick is what has destroyed my 'sticks' the quickest. Good article!

It's even scarier that i agree with some of it, Bill!   Thanks!

Very interesting perspective, Guy--thanks! On the one hand, I'm glad I never had to deal with film (other than occasional efforts) and had no habits to unlearn--on the other, experience and perspective can be a good thing. 'Control' may be liberating, but it can also constrain, because in nature photography, nature is ultimately in control, and as with so many natural things that humanity has messed with, there can be negative consequences arising from the things we control.  I see that as the big 'debate' in photography as art today. It's good to hear a

If i ever make it back to the coast  ill be sure to add BOES to the list--thanks, Floris!  I really like ISO 3200 star shots, they just depress me cause they remind me how bad my night vision is...

Never Roses, Kory--that would tarnish my good last name! Jay--you're the exception that proves my rule! Seriously, you give me hope for the future of HDR in photography. Sandy--spelleeng wuz never a consern of myne.

Hey guys, i said it was my list , dont let it stop you from annoying me Seriously, i just got back from the Maroon Bells, one of the most overshot subjects around--i really wanted to hand out cards with 'Peeve #5" written on them to the 100 photographers lined up on the lake shore, but i never would have made it out of there alive...

As always, Alain, a thoughtful article and an important subject. I understand your viewpoint, but I believe you have left out an important aspect of landscape photography, its historical connection to conservationist efforts, for example the creation of our National Parks. It is the demonstration of the natural beauty that exists in reality, not in our dreams, that has driven many landscape photographers (including myself) to pursue their passion for the art. I believe there is art in seeing as well as art in creating, and the former takes precedence when it comes to the goal I just mentioned

Ha! I can so relate Fun article, Kory, thanks for sharing. If you're ever up for an even more grueling hike in the dunes, let me know--ive got some ideas

Nice calendar, Ian! My goal is to shoot 13 significant images this year. It's more biblical, scarier, and more Nigel Tufnelish...

Ok, thanks for the response, Alain. I hear you and certainly understand you. All I am saying is that with freedom comes responsibility. Just as a license requires responsibility. I personally believe that all of us who use the natural world as our subject need to be cognizant of the very real threat that is under. If it disappears, all those beautiful photos you take really will be just a figment of your imagination, cause they will no longer exist in nature. I'm concerned that if 'artistic license' is seen as a race to see who can manipulate the most, then the public might lo

...nobody cares how far you hiked, how much your backpack weighed or the effects of giardiasis you suffered from drinking untreated swamp water... I dunno, Guy, there's a lengthy tradition of tormented artists who prematurely die in pursuit of their passion, and  thus become posthumously recognized for their suffering. The more untreated swamp water you drink, the more likely you are to die in your prime.

You're free to make up your own list, Mark   My point is that you should do what  you want to do, and not shoot long water exposures or whatever because Mark Metternich does it and since he's a respected photographer he must be doing it right. IMO, from what i see over and over again, too many photographers do just that (abandon their vision for sake of doing what's popular). That's what i "disdain".

I prefer to say: "tell the truth" Then I can honestly say: "this is the scene, as I saw it " So long as you keep true to yourself, and are open about your methods (that's where you'll hear the disagreement--the old 'magicians/artists need/should not disclose' nonsense) then there should be no issue.

Whenever i visit the ancient Anasazi dwellings i always marvel at how resilient they must have been...and yet we kid ourselves about how blessed and brilliant we are with our cell phones and power plants. Ha!

Well, not all photographers 'create images to express how they feel', some of them claim quite vocally that what they are presenting represents an objective reality, even while they clone and manipulate the heck out of their photos. Those photographers ought to fell guilty, cause they're lying! That is why I feel it is important to be open about our methods and goals. I also studied painting long before I picked up an SLR, under master artists in New York. I personally have no desire to turn my photos into paintings, and no desire to turn my paintings into photos--they're

If I photographed Mesa Arch upside down, standing on my head--would that be a technical or artistic decision? My shot would probably be unique (at least until some other moron copied me...) but nothing would distinguish it from the photos of the other 30 photographers that morning except my 'angle of view'

Amen, Guy.  I was in the Bisti 'Wilderness' the other day--i'm not sure how it qualifies as wild since cell towers and fences are visible from most of the high points. I didn't bring a GPS, compass, or even topo cause i really wasn't too concerned about losing my way--the washes are all pretty obvious and so long as you know east from west there's really no danger of being lost. On my way out I watched as other visitors frantically checked their waypoints, and studied high res images on their digital devices. It's all very foreign to me, and like you

Cool, i didn't realize Jenaya was so young, her photography is very advanced. Nice story.

Great story, Brad! You can count on my support. Keep up the good fight.