Ways Of Seeing Like A Non-Fashion Model Photographer
February 13, 2007
For some time I have been looking through my camera as a fashion and model photographer.
There are different ways of seeing as a landscape, sports, still life, product, documentary, travel, etc. photographer.
Because it is time to widen my photographic horizons and experiment with different styles I have been practicing to unlearn some previous rigid ways of seeing and to learn some new ones.
Photographing boogie boarders on Waikiki Beach has always been a fun exception from the structured model photo shoots.
One of the differences which I must adopt to is that in real life second takes are rare, in fashion photography there can be dozens of takes and similar setups.
My brain and the camera settings both have to be ready BEFORE the moment arrives.
If I have seen a great moment it means I also have missed it.
Many great moments are missed during this learning period but also more and more are caught as a certain rhythm develops along with a trust in my instincts.
One can easily get comfortable with the luxury of being able to repeat setups over and over again.
Going out into the real world can be a shocking and sobering experience … in good way of course.
I have been going to my favorite pier on Waikiki Beach to photography sunsets twice a week on my days off, also to Sandy Beach and to the North Shore.
Great moments do not just come to photographers. Preparation, patience, luck and actually being there are equally important.
First of all I have to be there when “it” happens and since nobody has a 100% success rate it means there are days when nothing special happens. This cannot be discouraging because most likely something will happen next time so giving up is not an option.
Luck has a huge part … luck adds the excitement factor which is easy to get addicted to.
I know I must constantly have a curious eye and an open mind. Looking around in all directions is key … literally and figuratively.
Often I see tourist looking in only one direction (usually into the sunset which simply just hurts my eyes) while other great moments are happening behind their backs.
Most tourists leave right after the sun dipped into the ocean and missing the sky changing many fantastic colors in the next 30 minutes.
During these sunset photo shoot sessions I just tried to enjoy myself. If I did not get a shot there would be another. It has been a no pressure approach.
At first I decided to be patient and to wait for perfect moments. Later I realized that every moment is perfect in nature or in life and I simply started to take pictures anytime I felt I was interested in what was happening around me. This particular thought came to me when I was photographing clouds and ocean ripples.
This has been a liberating experience. I have been capturing some dramatic and also quite abstract images.
I will post more photos and thoughts from these shootings in the future.
such a nice photo!