It’s “Guest Blog Wednesday” featuring Bruce DeBoer!
Looking at photography is one of my favorite pass-times. It’s awesome how the great photographers can make me actually feel the moment of capture. I enjoy the greatness of their talent. What a trap.
As if photography wasn’t full time enough, lately I’ve been charging head down in an ancillary effort to learn what drives people to create. Research, writing, listening and conducting interviews across all disciplines while dissecting my own work.
Most photographers I know can recall nearly every click of the shutter, and those book-worthy gems capture more than just a replica of the moment. We own the image more than the others. There was nothing tentative about the instant we pressed the shutter. There it is – Got it.
My latest talk was with one of the most gifted guitarists I know; a long time professional of both studio and live performances. Recounting the time when he first entered the studio after touring live, he shared a moment of struggle to get something respectable on tape. What probably seemed harsh at the time was sage in its simplicity:
“It all starts from your fingers, I’m just trying to get on tape what you’re sending me” – was the curt response from the engineer.
Since I’m not a musician what I heard was, “It all starts at your eyes”. It doesn’t start at your camera. It doesn’t start with the file download or the choice of a good post artist. I’m a photographer, it starts at my eyes.
It took a musician to remind a photographer that ignoring a seemingly trite perspective can make one tentative. There’s no truth in your work unless you not only understand that it starts from your eyes, but own it like a born again evangelist.
You can view Part II of Will’s interview here.
The trick to looking at photographs is to surround yourself with the art – the emotion. The moment questions start, abandon the effort. Comparisons keep me from starting the photograph from my eyes. Comparisons turn me tentative. Could I do that? No. It’s a trap, there’s no truth found by going there.
You can view Bruce’s photography at DeBoerWorks.com, and read more of his thoughts on creativity at his blogazine PermissionToSuck.com
It all starts with your eyes is so true. If you don’t first see it there is no way you can take it. You must have the vision to take a scene and eventually turn it into a great photo.
I listened hard but could not see
David
Keep your friends close, keep your photographer friends closer. I love todays blog, it reminds me that i can’t always shoot as good as a lot of those I see but brushing shoulders will make me better.When I’m shooting an event or whatever the great thing is that when I click the shutter and its a good shot I usually know it instantly. I go back to my digital darkroom knowing that one particular shot is there. Thanks for todays blog.
I am fairly new at trying to take photos and always looking at people’s work when I find the opportunity. I am riveted by your pictures. You take the ordinary moments, the simple ideas and gestures and make them into art. Thank you for sharing, you are so talented and tuned into caring about the people you photograph.
In the video, Will McFarlane speaks about music and the creative process. Everything he shares translates to photography and the processes of learning, putting yourself out there and creating. To me, what he speaks of makes me ponder and evaluate myself in the same way that Zack Arias’s video did. Thank you.
Neon
“Comparisons keep me from starting the photograph from my eyes. Comparisons turn me tentative. Could I do that? No. It’s a trap, there’s no truth found by going there.”
There is so much truth in this statement…it speaks to me on so many levels.
Could I? I know I can, but the comparison stops the flow of the creative. Absorb and produce the emotion that is inside of you. If the result wasn’t what you were hoping for at least you created…and learned something about your work…yourself.
Now I’ll watch the video.
Thanks for sharing your work and this brilliant interview. There are so many take-aways and applications. Thank you.
I agree “It all starts at your eyes” I remember my old Photographer friend use to say that the camera is just a tool. it doesn’t matter what camera that you use. its that what you see. Thanks
Great interviews (parts 1 & 2).
Will, thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience of creativity and the evolution of your creative process. Your insight speaks directly and profoundly to the photography arena.
Thank you, Bruce, for bringing this rich and vibrant tapestry to us.
In the fall of 1996, during photography school, I began interning at a studio embodying three extremely talented photographers. One of of them was Bruce DeBoer. The first day was a commercial shoot with Bruce for Audi. I learned more in that one day than from numerous other “school days” combined. I was blown away. 13 years later, and 2000 miles away, I’m still learning from him. Great post B… keep em’ coming.
“It all starts at your eyes” yes this is true. However, the heart is moved by emotions. If it ends with the eyes, you only end up with pictures that are composed nicely. Emotion is the 3rd compositional element is that missing in so many pictures.
Great blog …. thanks E
Will McFarlane is a force and one of the most respected people I know. If someone so obviously talented can feel the way you and I do about our work, I’d say there is no excuse for us to trust our eyes.
Thanks for all the great comments.
Excellent blog post. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while!
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audio: 32 bitrate stereo @ Nero AAC
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Such a great site. I am bookmarking this page.
I somehow dont agree with a few things, but its great anyways.