Love Story

Quietly Remembering

I awoke heavy-hearted this morning, realizing it was 9/11.
I poured some coffee and pulled out a dusty photo album. One I hadn’t wanted to look through in many years, containing snapshots taken 8 years ago during a month-long solo road trip. So many memories. I now silence my words to remember all things I am so very thankful for.

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Henri Cartier-Bresson's beautiful imagery and philosophy on his approach to photography has always been a huge inspiration to me.
A French photographer, some considered him the father of modern photojournalism, however, I'm certain some would argue this point.

Interesting... as I began writing this blog entry, I had no idea how personal it would become. I just woke up this morning feeling the need to search for a little inspiration. Oh well. This pretty much says a lot about me. At least about who I am today.

"To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy".
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
~When I'm truly engaged in a moment or an image, I hold my breath. I don't realize it until I become light-headed. I cherish those moments because something else takes over me... nothing else matters. I crave that escape from reality. When I'm on commercial assignments, I very rarely experience this and have to go and search for that passion elsewhere. Without this "re-fueling", which I do often, I would not enjoy being a photographer. I was burned out recently for quite a while, but, I'm feeling the heat again.

"Photography is nothing--it's life that interests me".
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
~I've met many photographers who take themselves way too seriously and I've also witnessed photographers who treat their assistants and crew less than respectfully (and that is stating it mildly). My personal feeling is that we are lucky to do what we do. Get off your high horse, you aren't saving lives here just because you own a fancy camera and nobody will die if a celebrity doesn't have Gummy Bears on set! I take pride in in my professional, yet easy-going and fun vibe on set. Life IS the interesting part...

"Think about the photo before and after, never during. The secret is to take your time. You mustn't go too fast. The subject must forget about you. Then, however, you must be very quick. So, if you miss the picture, you've missed it. So what?"
-Henri Cartier-Bresson
~I completely agree and I often find myself tricking my subjects. For example, I'll fidget with the camera settings, asking them to just give me a second to adjust something and it's often during that split second moment, when they think I've stopped, that I actually capture the image I was looking for. Again, he's humble and real here, not taking himself too seriously. I've never felt I was better than anybody else. We're all human and moments are missed by the best. It happens- so what?

"…it is seldom indeed that a composition which was poor when the picture was taken can be improved by reshaping it in the dark room".
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
~OK, I have some strong opinions, both good and bad, about digital photography. I'm old enough to have learned the old-fashioned way... developing my film, printing in the darkroom, getting the composition just right in camera, and waiting! You wait to see what the film gives you and you learn to make adjustments next time. I so often hear from other photographers now, "Oh, don't worry, we'll fix it in Photoshop", "we'll fix it in post". Digital photography will make you a lazy photographer, if you don't keep yourself in check! I was guilty of this and I really disappointed myself when those exact words came out of my mouth on a shoot about a year ago. I thought about it for a long time and decided that I would not allow myself to be that photographer. Also, just because anyone can now go to Costco and purchase a good digital camera, does not automatically make you a photographer. Ask questions, learn through trial and error, know the rules and when & how to break them, be inspired to do better. Listen, I'm not pretending to be the most talented photographer in the world nor would I try to be anyone that I'm not, for that matter... anyone can do what I do. On a daily basis, I look at photography that blows me away and I think to myself, "wow- now that's talent! I'm not worthy and don't know anything!"... but, rather than beat myself up, and wallow in self-doubt, I use it to grow and learn. Life is a constant transition and I'm just along for the ride. I hope to look back in a few years and truly be proud of moments I've captured. This is what I'm searching for.

Ok, have a wonderful Sunday. Go out and capture the magic in your day. :)