Posted by Michael Lotito on February 23, 2011 at 9:20 AM
I started to ponder the question of what keeps me coming back for more and came up with some reasons.
1) The thrill of the hunt.
2) The quite contemplation as you wait for the magic moment to present it self.
3) The glimpse into my subjects world and the learning derived from that. Observing and not trying to actively engage your subject provides the best insight into that subjects existence!
4) The message a good nature photograph can send and how it can enlighten those who are unaware.
5) The peace and quite afforded by the great outdoors.
6) The marriage of art and science necessary to create a good image.
7) And yes the good people you meet along the way.
I am sure the list will grow but this is my start.
Posted by Terry Sohl on February 23, 2011 at 9:57 AM
#1 - Thrill of the hunt. I couldn't agree more. When I first started in avian photography, I was getting so frustrated, in that it was so difficult to get close to most birds, and difficult to get the shot. Now, I relish the challenge!!
Frankly, if it weren't for the challenge, I'm not sure how much I'd be into avian photography! The photos I treasure the most are those I've really had to work for.
#2 - It's "me" time. We're all busy, and I'm no exception. Full-time job, wonderful wife and little boy, and my photography time is extremely limited. When I do get a chance to go out, every time it's like a kid on Christmas morning for me. It's such a treat, and it's time for me to enjoy my favorite activity.
Posted by Michael Lotito on February 23, 2011 at 10:03 AM
I thought of one I will add:
8) The interaction between the various species. I bickering and interplay can be very entertaining and easily related to the human to human interaction. For example a group of gulls fighting over a fish is not unlike a doorbuster sale.
Posted by Barbara Graham on February 23, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Really good list, Michael!
3) The glimpse into my subjects world and the learning derived from that. Observing and not trying to actively engage your subject provides the best insight into that subjects existence!
4) The message a good nature photograph can send and how it can enlighten those who are unaware.
5) The peace and quite afforded by the great outdoors.
These are the things I love most about it, and #7 the good people along the way are the icing on the cake for me.
Regarding #5, I am just absolutely loving spending so much time outdoors. It strikes me that I could have spent this much time outdoors long before now, even without a camera in hand, but somehow now with the camera in hand I feel that the time spent outdoors is justified. :)
Posted by Lorna Taylor on February 23, 2011 at 4:46 PM
What makes it special for me is just being outside all day and the added bonus of taking my camera with me .Also I love when people see my images and for the first time they see the world they walk by all the time and never stopped to notice. So I guess my biggest high is teaching people to actually see things around them and take the time too notice natures details ! Hope that makes since!
Posted by Dan Borzynski on February 23, 2011 at 6:37 PM
I'm outdoors and I'm not watching network television. How much better can it get?
I began photographing wildlife with a video camera in 1992. At that time my goal was to capture animal behaviour. I wanted to slow down the action to be able to see how the wings of a bird moved and how the fox managed to achieve "single stepping". I did have a sense of composition but no idea of light.
Being out there and finding what nature has to offer that day makes me very happy.
Today is the opening reciption for my new show and the main image is a 36x24 canvas of the late afternoon sun lighting the side of a red fox walking toward me in the snow with two feet raised showing how he "single steps". Very satisfying
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 27, 2011 at 12:52 AM
No cubicles! No structured hours! No co-workers! NO BOSS!!!
Discussion
9 replies1) The thrill of the hunt.
2) The quite contemplation as you wait for the magic moment to present it self.
3) The glimpse into my subjects world and the learning derived from that. Observing and not trying to actively engage your subject provides the best insight into that subjects existence!
4) The message a good nature photograph can send and how it can enlighten those who are unaware.
5) The peace and quite afforded by the great outdoors.
6) The marriage of art and science necessary to create a good image.
7) And yes the good people you meet along the way.
I am sure the list will grow but this is my start.
Frankly, if it weren't for the challenge, I'm not sure how much I'd be into avian photography! The photos I treasure the most are those I've really had to work for.
#2 - It's "me" time. We're all busy, and I'm no exception. Full-time job, wonderful wife and little boy, and my photography time is extremely limited. When I do get a chance to go out, every time it's like a kid on Christmas morning for me. It's such a treat, and it's time for me to enjoy my favorite activity.
8) The interaction between the various species. I bickering and interplay can be very entertaining and easily related to the human to human interaction. For example a group of gulls fighting over a fish is not unlike a doorbuster sale.
These are the things I love most about it, and #7 the good people along the way are the icing on the cake for me.
Regarding #5, I am just absolutely loving spending so much time outdoors. It strikes me that I could have spent this much time outdoors long before now, even without a camera in hand, but somehow now with the camera in hand I feel that the time spent outdoors is justified. :)
Chris
Being out there and finding what nature has to offer that day makes me very happy.
Today is the opening reciption for my new show and the main image is a 36x24 canvas of the late afternoon sun lighting the side of a red fox walking toward me in the snow with two feet raised showing how he "single steps". Very satisfying