A friend asked me this question couple of weeks ago and I don`t have an answer yet.
But maybe some of you have. Be it a classic Weston, Ansel etc. , or something ultra modern, a shot of your own or maybe a fellow NPN-r or maybe a portrait of a loved one... Is there a favourite? Could there be one at all?
p.s.
I know it`s awfully subjective and I`m not too serious about this - just wanted to spark some non-technical talk, aguess.
Posted by Nathan Buck on April 10, 2006 at 3:57 PM
Whew! Hmm...I don't think that I could ever have a favorite, especially of my own. I find that as my vision changes and my skills change that I like shots that I take for different reasons. I don't know that I have a favorite of anyone elses; just lots of favorites.
I'm thinking of a specific family photograph that is my favorite because of the people and place portrayed. As far as a favorite nature photograph - that changes about every week or two
If you can, pick up a recent copy of Lenswork. The publisher lists his 10 favorite images and the reason he chose them. Very interesting selection, some classical works and some a little more obscure (at least for me).
My favorite image right now is:
Tamara Lischka's image of baby kittens in the current Lenswork, very moving on many levels.
I tend to find my favorites change as I discover new artists, or rediscover old ones.
Cheers,
Alex
Posted by Roger Rouch on April 10, 2006 at 4:31 PM
Coming up with just one is a tough one. As many flip-flops as I can do over nature photos, one that I've come back to over and over is by O. Winston Link. It's a 1950's drive-in scene with what looks lile an early jet fighter plane on the screen and an old train in the background. I searched it up and it's called "Hotshot Eastbound". There are some Ed Curtis photos that probably come in at or near the top, too.
Roger - I just Googled out the "Hotshot Eastbound" and it`s great! For some reason it reminded me some lyrics from an Ani Difranco song called Self Evident:
"...shoo away the swarms of commuter planes
and find that train ticket we lost
cuz once upon a time the line followed the river
and peeked into all the backyards
and the laundry was waving
the graffiti was teasing us
from brick walls and bridges
we were rolling over ridges
through valleys
under stars..."
ps. for anyone who knows the singer or the song: some other parts of the song are very political but that`s not what I have in mind... though there are some some bits about planes.
ps. 2 obviously I like alt/indie music. maybe even too much... nah, not possible
Posted by Mark Windom on April 10, 2006 at 11:02 PM
A seemingly impossible question...this week I would have to say that Craig Blacklock's "Mountain ash tree, north of Thompson Channel. June 1991" grabbed my attention. Next week it will be something else.
Posted by Marc Adamus on April 11, 2006 at 2:18 AM
Great question! Just by pondering over it for a few moments it really made me think about how images effect me emotionally and why. Even 'favorite photographer' would have been extremely difficult, let along favorite image by any photographer. It would have to be an image that really moves me on many levels, such as Galen Rowell's famous 'Rainbow over Potala Place' image. It's an impossible question for me to answer and I'm sure that I will never know when I have seen that ONE image, but yet I continue to puruse it with a relentless passion for the art form.
If seems it`s not possible at all, maybe we`re just thinking too hard I`ll try if I can come up with mine... well... soon.
Although not surprising, it makes me wonder that nobody would dare seriously propose some of their own images and yet pulling off a great image (in your own eyes) can bring such a rush of positive emotions... You all know the yeehaww! feeling when you come back from a hard and seemingly fruitless hike and then find a real keeper. With other photographer`s work, you can never empathise with their sufferings for the art, at least not on the same level.
Are we lost too deep in self loathing to appreciate our own work or is it just a bow to those who inspire us?
Posted by Mark Stahlke on April 11, 2006 at 11:46 AM
My favorite photograph ever?
That's easy! It's the next one. I'm sure the next photograph I make will be my favorite. That's what keeps me going.
Cheers,
Posted by Nathan Buck on April 11, 2006 at 11:51 AM
Ott said "Are we lost too deep in self loathing to appreciate our own work or is it just a bow to those who inspire us? "
I don't feel this way. There are many of my own shots that are my favorites...at least for a time, but as my vision changes, and as I learn more I find others that are my favorites.
Nathan
Posted by Marc Adamus on April 11, 2006 at 11:59 AM
>>"With other photographer`s work, you can never empathise with their sufferings for the art, at least not on the same level".
I can agree with you hear Ott. Each individuals favorite image may be much different from what a quick survey of public opinion might reveal. We often choose our own favorites (if we choose at all) based on personal experiences not revealed to the viewer and not only in a photographic sense. My personal favorite, "Temple of the Clouds", is just that because of the grueling journey it took to capture it and the amazement of standing on top of everything watching the world appear below me from above the clouds at sunset. It was truly an indescribable moment and one impossible to fully capture in any image. The photograph, to me, is a beautiful reminder of that magical moment, but those who did not share that moment with me may not find the same interest in the photograph. In short, I have many images that are more popular with the public audience, but they are not all my personal favorites.
Mine favourites change all the time too. For a long time a number of Ansel Adam's work were what I considered the pinnacle of nature photography. When I first got serious about bird photos some of Art Morris's work really stood out for me. A few images of my own are particular favorites too, including my most recent post in the avian gallery. Usually when one of my own become favourites it's because of how I managed to get the shot or some other memory of the day that all becomes wrapped up in it.
Today I can't say I have a particular favourite although there are many memorable images I have seen from a wide variety of photographers that stick in my mind. I guess it's like my favourite flavour - it changes frequently. But tomorrow I'll really get the ultimate image...
Discussion
13 repliesBut maybe some of you have. Be it a classic Weston, Ansel etc. , or something ultra modern, a shot of your own or maybe a fellow NPN-r or maybe a portrait of a loved one... Is there a favourite? Could there be one at all?
p.s.
I know it`s awfully subjective and I`m not too serious about this - just wanted to spark some non-technical talk, aguess.
Nathan
Guy
If you can, pick up a recent copy of Lenswork. The publisher lists his 10 favorite images and the reason he chose them. Very interesting selection, some classical works and some a little more obscure (at least for me).
Of his picks I loved Minor White's image called "Moon and Wall Encrustations"
http://www.artnet.com/artwork/423916817/minor-white-moon--wall-encrustations.html
Really makes you see things differently.
My favorite image right now is:
Tamara Lischka's image of baby kittens in the current Lenswork, very moving on many levels.
I tend to find my favorites change as I discover new artists, or rediscover old ones.
Cheers,
Alex
"...shoo away the swarms of commuter planes
and find that train ticket we lost
cuz once upon a time the line followed the river
and peeked into all the backyards
and the laundry was waving
the graffiti was teasing us
from brick walls and bridges
we were rolling over ridges
through valleys
under stars..."
ps. for anyone who knows the singer or the song: some other parts of the song are very political but that`s not what I have in mind... though there are some some bits about planes.
ps. 2 obviously I like alt/indie music. maybe even too much... nah, not possible
Although not surprising, it makes me wonder that nobody would dare seriously propose some of their own images and yet pulling off a great image (in your own eyes) can bring such a rush of positive emotions... You all know the yeehaww!
Are we lost too deep in self loathing to appreciate our own work or is it just a bow to those who inspire us?
That's easy! It's the next one. I'm sure the next photograph I make will be my favorite. That's what keeps me going.
Cheers,
I don't feel this way. There are many of my own shots that are my favorites...at least for a time, but as my vision changes, and as I learn more I find others that are my favorites.
Nathan
I can agree with you hear Ott. Each individuals favorite image may be much different from what a quick survey of public opinion might reveal. We often choose our own favorites (if we choose at all) based on personal experiences not revealed to the viewer and not only in a photographic sense. My personal favorite, "Temple of the Clouds", is just that because of the grueling journey it took to capture it and the amazement of standing on top of everything watching the world appear below me from above the clouds at sunset. It was truly an indescribable moment and one impossible to fully capture in any image. The photograph, to me, is a beautiful reminder of that magical moment, but those who did not share that moment with me may not find the same interest in the photograph. In short, I have many images that are more popular with the public audience, but they are not all my personal favorites.
Today I can't say I have a particular favourite although there are many memorable images I have seen from a wide variety of photographers that stick in my mind. I guess it's like my favourite flavour - it changes frequently. But tomorrow I'll really get the ultimate image...