It’s “Guest Blog Wednesday” featuring Laurie Excell
Creativity lies within each of us. Anyone can learn the technical functions of a camera, it’s the unique vision we each have that brings a personal touch to our images. Too often photographers get caught up in the technical aspects of photography wanting to capture the perfect exposure & composition. More important than what aperture we select or which lens we choose, is digging deep down within ourselves and creating the image we see with our heart and our mind. Knowing what it is that we want to communicate in our image will help us to decide the technical details and select the appropriate equipment that will help us to bring our vision to life both in the camera and later in the digital darkroom.
Photographing things we love is a great place to start. If we have a personal involvement with our subjects, our images will improve. Familiarity breeds an understanding of our subjects that allows us to anticipate when the light will fall just right across the scene or the peak of action as a grizzly climbs from the river to the bank and shakes the water from his fur. It’s this knowledge that takes us to the next level in our photography. And that knowledge is gained from spending the time learning about and observing our subjects.
Today’s cameras are technological wonders; accurately reading the light value and automatically adjusting the white balance to give us most technically perfect image possible however, our cameras are inanimate objects without emotions or a personal connection with our subject. It’s up to us to add our own creative touch when deciding which aperture/shutter speed combination best captures the essence of the moment or which lens allows us to include the elements that tell our story.
It’s the love of my craft and a deep passion for the subjects I photograph that is the driving force behind my photography. I enjoy the planning and anticipation of visiting a new location to photograph new subjects, deciding which camera, lenses and accessories will help me to realize my vision in the form of images that I can share with others. I love every aspect of the image making process, immersing myself in the sights, scents & sounds of the environment, waiting for the composition that best captures my emotions to reveal itself. It may be the quality of light falling upon my subject that first catches my attention, or the sheer force of a storm that draws me in. Bright colors and patterns may cause me to isolate my subject capturing intimate details within scene rather than that of the overall landscape.
The blossoming image may lend itself best to B&W or other techniques that I will use to finish the image later in the digital darkroom. All these thoughts swirl through my mind just below the surface of consciousness as experience drives me to make decisions to create the images that I see in my minds eye making them uniquely mine. There is nothing like the feel of a camera in my hand, looking at the world through the viewfinder and clicking the shutter. Who doesn’t love the sound of the motor drive rapid firing as images are recorded to our compact flash cards. Little snippets of time captured and preserved forever.
Adrenalin courses through my veins as the image in my mind comes into sharp focus. I depress the shutter and begin clicking continuously as each wave crashes against the rocks, the spray is ghostlike in the tumultuous storm. The wind and rain pummels me, nearly knocking me to the ground with its sheer force. I feel more alive than at any other time, knowing that I am capturing the power of the storm, imprinting an image forever on my memory. I can hardly wait to get back to the digital darkroom to finish the image. I already know that I’m going to use the NIK B&W Infrared #2 on this image to convey the power and force of the storm on this monochromatic day. Image making doesn’t end with the click of the shutter, the creative finishing touches continue in the digital darkroom where, I can simply remove a color cast to finish an image or I can let my creativity run wild using Photoshop plug-ins like NIK Color Efex Pro 3.0 to bring my images to life.
or OnOne Photoframe Pro 3.0 to add the final creative touches to my images.
I love helping others to achieve their vision through their images as well. It is very rewarding to see the results when everything clicks and the final result is exactly what they were after. I guess that’s why I enjoy running the gear desk answering questions from all the NAPP members about which lens, tripod, flash, accessory will best suits their needs. I love teaching at DLWS, Photoshop World, Cruising Through Life as well as leading my own safaris to photograph wildlife not only for the photo opportunities it provides me but also to help others to improve their photography and ignite the passion within.
Photography is all about having fun. Don’t sweat the details or agonize over the perfect image. If you follow your passion, the rest will come. And most importantly…keep smiling!
–Laurie
What Laurie wrote hits home. There seems to be two camps in Photography. One says that the photographer’s vision or creative desire is much less important than the ‘actual’ image or the ‘true’ image - a reproduction of exactly what was there. This is certainly stressed in journalism photography. The other goes in the direction Laurie goes here, seeing the final image more as a work of art rather than an actual reproduction. She writes of adding things to the ‘true’ image. True objectivity is something that can’t be obtained in photography, in my view. We crop an image, thus we eliminate much that was actually there. We saturate. We use the tools Laurie writes about to add something like atmosphere to our image. We alter reality constantly. We can’t help this with photography. Some people say to ‘get it right in the camera,’ yet Laurie suggests there is more that can be done, and should be done, after the shutter is clicked. This is the direction I like, and it’s good to see it said by someone like Laurie. Thanks.
I attended one of Laurie’s classes at Photoshop World and I was amazed at how great of an instructor she is. The vision and creativity she wrote in this article captures what she taught us back there… I’m a big fan!
Laurie - thanks for inspiring us!
I have taken two of Laurie’s Photo Safaris and have signed up for two more next year. She is a wonderful person to be with - generous and knowledgable - and she will get you to wonderful locations to see amazing wildlife. I would highly recommend signing up for any of her photo trips.
Thanks Laurie for hitting home with some good sound advice. Cheers Mate
I went on the Hawaii cruise this past August with Laurie and Moose. I didn’t attend any of Lauries classes, but asked several questions while on location and around the ship. She is a wealth of information and creativitiy. If any of you get the opportunity to go on one of the cruises or photoshopworld or anything else, do. You will be glad you did.
Thank you Laurie for all I learned from you in a very short week!
Mike Reeves
Inspiring! Thanks so much.
Thanks for this article! I absolutely needed this today.
I am a new photographer - just discovered my passion over the last year. I took some engagement photos for a friend over the weekend. I had a great time, after getting over some initial nervousness. But, after downloaded the photos and getting a few critiques, I quickly felt a huge deflation. I was so upset that my photos were filled with technical imperfections. I know, in my mind, that I am still very much a newbie. I know, that this was just a free “practice” session for me and perfection was not expected. I know that just having this opportunity was a great learning experience. But I still felt so angry that I had to dump so many shots and so few, if any, were “professional”quality.
Laurie, you made me remember that I need to try to do my best, but foremost, I need to continue to enjoy my passion and not put so much pressure on myself to become an instant professional. I think, I hope, that will come with time and experience if I continue to do what I love and continue to LOVE doing it.
Thank you so much!!!!!
Laurie’s guest blog entry certainly rings true with me. I have seen many arguments flare up in various forums online and I have had my share of disagreements with my friends that are artists over the subject of adding a creative touch or not in the “digital darkroom”.
In the end, my emotions prevail and Laurie’s last paragraph sums it up perfectly for me! It’s our personal expressions and interpretations that can make all of our photos unique.
Love what you do, do what you love.
Thanks Laurie!
Hi Laurie,
What a great article! Thank you so much for sharing your love for photography. Your descriptions for viewing the shot in you mind is just great, and not being afraid to use the darkroom tools. Thank you for your inspiration to go out and shoot, shoot and shoot! I just got back from vacation to Teton National park and Yellowstone, and that is just what I did shoot, shoot and shoot. Very time I looked up, down and around there was an amazing site to shoot. Our country is amazing and beautiful!
Thanks again!
Dennis
Irene, Remember we were all newbies at one time! I had a similar experience as you did, but mine was for a wedding. I felt terrible about most of the shots, but the customer was just fine with them. Some times we put to much pressure on ourselves. Just keep shooting and learning.
Dennis
Hey Laura,
Great to see your post here. The DLWS trip up in the San Juan Islands was a highlight of my summer and I appreciated the critique time. Love your style and thanks for being such a great inspiration!
Michael S.
WOW, What you just said, took every thought that has been in my head and put it in this column.
I just began teaching a college photography course this semester and I’ve stated some of this, but it’s good to know I’m teaching them the right things.
Very good column and very quote heavy. I do a Photography Quote of the Day every morning on the white board, so I’m sure I’ll be borrowing a few from this column.
I love the freedom that I have with photoshop, Some of my favorite pieces are very photoshop heavy, However, every picture I take, I try and take the shot thinking photoshop isn’t an option.
Great article and great website as well!
-Dan Francis
Laurie,
Just wanted to tell you thanks. Thanks for todays inspiring blog post. (By the way with last weeks post by Ben and yours today, maybe Scott should call this “Inspiration Wednesdaysâ€) Also thanks for the pre conference class you taught at Photoshop World Vegas 2007. It’s been a little bit over a year since that class. I didn’t digest every bit of knowledge you offered (and there was a bunch) but you changed the way I shoot. I’m a graphic designer and total Photoshop geek. I think of Photography as a tool from my graphic design too box. Thanks to the information you provided in your class, my “photography tool†has stepped up technically level and creatively.
Great article Laurie. I totally agree that so many photographers get hung up on the technical rather than the inspirational. But if you read Irene’s comment, it’s easy to understand why people tend to get hung up on the mechanics. The one piece of advice that I would give new photographers is to spend some quality time learning not just their equipment but the basics of photography. Having a base knowledge will really open up the doors to their creativity. Then when they see a scene that inspires them, they will know how they should shoot it to realize their vision. Being completely comfortable with your equipment and the photographic process will allow for more creative expression in the field.
Jeff
Very inspirational blog Laurie, and thanks for the links at the end of your column. This is a great summary to go and review your tips,and find information about what you wrote.
When I worked with my 35mm (pre-digital period) and used “film” to record my images, my teacher wrote on the blackboard: “Don’t Be Afraid of Your Emulsions.” He used to work for Kodak labs, and lived in a dark room.
Anyone born after the 35mm Photographic Film/ASA period approx from ( 1932 thru 1990) may not understand his remark today in this digital period of Pixel semiotics; ISO; White Balance; downloading; photo software manipulation; etc. but your blog was really inspirational to reflect his historical remark.
Thank you.
Laurie,
You are such a great instructor! I just bought a Nikon d300/battery pack/ and lenses and I just got done watching your training on it from Kelby Training. You helped me out so much and I really appreciate it!
I did want to throw in a tip for Nikon users (might work for Canon too, not sure):
An awesome way to check your white balane.
Open Live View and then go to your WB settings, You can see exactly what it is going to look like in real time before you even take the test shot.
Maybe some of you already knew this. I just thought is was great and something cool to share.
Hope you don’t mind Scott.
Thanks again.
John Beyer
ps. i’m gonna be in your area at the begining of the year, how can we hook up.
What an outstanding, outstanding guest column. I really needed to read this today. As summer fades and the days become shorter the frantic summer pace also fades and this is such a grounding point for the coming fall and winter season. I have always been slightly ‘technically’ challenged, I do enjoy the technical side of photography very much but the comments Laurie made are where my heart sits. I was shooting in a part of town that I don’t get to often and the 2-3pm light was just extraordinary.
THANK YOU
Let me add my voice to the chorus praising Laurie’s teaching talents. I recently attended a DLWS with her, Moose and the rest of the crew. While all of the instructors are remarkably talented, it was Laurie’s suggestion that led me to take two pictures that are in my personal 10 best list and it was her suggestion for post processing on one of them that put it in my number 1 position. Her eye for the kinds of images I love (such as reflections) and her willingness to share her talents and skills made me into a better photographer.
I whole-heartedly encourage any reader here to attend her training, whether online or at photoshopworld or, best of all, at DLWS with Moose and the gang.
Thanks again,
Steve
Laurie/Scott - this was a great post- it’s not about the equipment - it’s about seeing. If you have the chance check out the Wired 10.14.08 spread on the balck and white railroad. It fits well with what Laurie is saying, and the text with the photos is great.
This is so inspiring especially for a real newbie…I am going to be at the DLWS in Montana and look forward to learning from everyone there.
Great to hear everyone’s comments and learn from them as well!!
sandy
Wow, what a great into…thanks, Scott. I’m honored to be a guest blogger. Sharing my passion for photography with you, possibly igniting a little flame, a spark of interest for photography in someone else is an incredibly rewarding pursuit. Your positive comments prove that we all really do have that passion for something inside of us. The adventure is in the discovery and pursuit of that passion.
I took her beginner class at Photoshop World. Although I have been passionate about photography for 30 years, it was a really valuable experience. Sign on to what she says and you’ll advance.
Laurie,
First rate blog! What is striking is the consistently positive chord that you struck inside of so many people. The love, the passion, the creativity, that is what draws most of us to photography.
Scott - every Wednesday, the guest bloggers that bring in offer us their very best; what a gift!!
Oops! Meant to say, “that you bring in. . .”
TOTALLY inspiration! Thanks Laurie for clearing up my sometimes foggy vision.
-Bob
(Boston)
Oops to me as well…Inspirational!
-Bob, again
Well Scott Kelby, your going to have to dig pretty deep to beat this Blog…Thanks for having Laurie , and talking about Photography, this is quite refreshing. WOW!!!
Well written post and a series of stunning compositions to go along. I enjoyed it and agree with you completely on this post
Laurie, What a great post! And, thanks, Scott, for bringing another fascinating Guest Blog Wednesday to us.
I was fortunate to be on Laurie’s Florida birds safari earlier this year; it was a great learning experience. Laurie has a real talent for combining the technical stuff (and explaining it in plain English) with the creative outlook. Plus, she’s just fun to be with!