What sets us apart?

I know it's silly, but don't you all think there is something that sets a person who takes the time to photograph a subject, whatever it might be, and does so without chopping people's heads off or removing the subject from the picture, apart from the rest of the world?

I remember in my single days when I would stop on the side of the road for a field of corn, or turtles on a log, or even the simplest of weeds...all things the general populous would never notice. All of this without thought or concern of time. Oh what a time that was.

I'm getting back to that mind-set. Not the single part, but to the vision and appreciation of the world around me. Does that not bring deep and powerful thoughts to you?

I love life, and I love all those things we are too busy to see...I long for the days of not being that busy...days spent on the road, looking for THAT shot. You know what I mean.

How many of you photographers play some kind of musical instrument or write poetry, or draw or paint?

Are we not connected to our feelings if we are shooters? Or do some of us shoot solely for the payoff? What I shoot; even when it's poor quality, is about the feeling. Does being connected to feelings, make us artists, at least of a sort? Or are we just silly dreamers?

Are we not kind of special? I like to think so.
--
I'm an opportunist, not a photographer.

http://mapleleafphoto.smugmug.com/q

…well I've been known to play some music and write stuff; many of my friends who take photographs excel in one or another of the arts.

Some people may feel a need to balance aural with visual, and photography can fulfil that need. Yet others may need to be encouraged to explore their visual side to help round out their life experience.

Sometimes, it requires heroic effort to overcome the artificially induced mentality of the clock work life foisted upon us by the western consumer lifestyle. Even the most artistic and gifted among us can find this a challenge.

You are very right, we are a breed who look at our surroundings with a

different perspective and of course this does consume time - with out our knowledge.

There are days when travelling back from office, I have enjoyed the sunset, the changing colors of the evening sky, the shadows of a structure, etc. mainly because of photography. As the famous indian photographer C.Rajgopal used to say - we follow the line of light.

The shear joy of enjoying the surrounding world is different.

Once spend few hours photographing a grasshopper and few days later when I was showing the slides - I didnot say this insect was there - instead I used the word - this fellow was in our garden. - photography changes the way we look at the world. -
there is so much joy in capturing those moments of colors.

--
Dr.Rajamurthy
FZ5, Raynox DCR-250

Amen to that one.
--
I'm an opportunist, not a photographer.

http://mapleleafphoto.smugmug.com/

I can find an hour's worth of joy trying to capture rows of corn! My husband just shakes his head. Oh well.

Our hobby brings joy to both ourselves and ultimately, when you share the fruits of your labour, it can bring joy to others. Whether it is photography, music, writing or drawing.

Share, and you might make someone happy.
--
I'm an opportunist, not a photographer.

http://mapleleafphoto.smugmug.com/

I used to play the guitar a little, not so much anymore. I operate by inspiration, if I like it I photograph it. I don't care a lot whether others like it or not, as long as it suits me.

I know all the rules, and quote them to others. But seldom play by them myself.
--
Steve Owen.
Three old outdated cameras, Two Fujis, and a TZ-1.
http://steveslandscapes.50webs.com
http://boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?user=landscapesimages

I'am with you..

Keep on shooting memories...

That's pretty much my rule too. Art is the only place I can be truly free from rules. I play my guitar the way I like, and rules be damned, I shoot what I like. Even if the recent portrait of a little garter snake grossed my mother out to no end. I don't generally like them, but he was calm and didn't move when I walked by. I thought he was kinda cute.



--
I'm an opportunist, not a photographer.

http://mapleleafphoto.smugmug.com/

We used to catch those little critters, and carry them around in our pockets. Reason: to freak the girls out.
--
Steve Owen.
Three old outdated cameras, Two Fujis, and a TZ-1.
http://steveslandscapes.50webs.com
http://boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?user=landscapesimages

Ah, you're such a guy! If you tossed one of them at me, I'd still freak.
--
I'm an opportunist, not a photographer.

http://mapleleafphoto.smugmug.com/

I really like your photo gallery. I get into old barns, but you might think to dust out that computer.
--
Steve Owen.
Three old outdated cameras, Two Fujis, and a TZ-1.
http://steveslandscapes.50webs.com
http://boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?user=landscapesimages

I think innate curiousity and perhaps a little ADD help. Staying aware of one's visual surround and maintaining the capacity to be in awe of nature's show, the large and the small of it.

Took this gal about a minute and a half to tank up. I let her fly off to enjoy the fruits of her labor.





Emma Louise
--
http://www.pbase.com/fluzichik
Panasonic toys at present: FZ-30, TZ1, TZ3, TZ5 and
HDC-HS9.

Thanks a bunch Steve. That computer was the funniest thing I'd ever found! It's my boss's computer and he got quite the chuckle out of it too. I never did find the spider who made it though.

There's something about barns and old buildings and old rusted out vehicles that really speaks to me. Dunno why.
--
I'm an opportunist, not a photographer.

http://mapleleafphoto.smugmug.com/

Yeah, the ADD must have something to do with the fact that I can still turn tail and follow a butterfly around like a kid.

Love your mosquito shots.
--
I'm an opportunist, not a photographer.

http://mapleleafphoto.smugmug.com/

Oh yes! old rusty vehicles, in fact anything old. I guess its because like me, they are old, rusty, and pretty much usless.
--
Steve Owen.
Three old outdated cameras, Two Fujis, and a TZ-1.
http://steveslandscapes.50webs.com
http://boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?user=landscapesimages

Yeah...that MUST be why we like them...kind of like twisted self portraits. Especially the really beat up ones!
--
I'm an opportunist, not a photographer.

http://mapleleafphoto.smugmug.com/

There is nothing more fulfilling, than watching rocks grow.

--
Henk

Donde una puerta se cierra, otra se abre

--
I'm an opportunist, not a photographer.

http://mapleleafphoto.smugmug.com/

Oh yes therer is - watching a flock of termites eat a telephone pole. Now that's a real opportunity! for some really good time lapse photography.
--
Steve Owen.
Three old outdated cameras, Two Fujis, and a TZ-1.
http://steveslandscapes.50webs.com
http://boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?user=landscapesimages

Ok, now you're just talking crazy. ;-)
--
I'm an opportunist, not a photographer.

http://mapleleafphoto.smugmug.com/