Why Photography? Part II

Late Bloomers © 2010 Bo Mackison

(Second in a series on why I chose photography as my creative medium and the basis of a new career.)

#2. Photography allows me stretch artistically.

Each time I take my camera out in the field to photograph a subject, or work on a photo during post-processing, or practice getting a photograph to print exactly the way I see it in my mind, I expand my artistic abilities. There is something to be said for practice. When I look back at my first digital photographs taken in the summer of 2007, I appreciate the obvious effort that went into the production of the photos. I knew nothing about digital photography, I had only a vague idea what most of the settings and dials on my camera actually did, I could barely navigate a computer. But I was able to capture some of the appreciation I had for my subjects.

When I first began to shoot, one of my goals was to post a daily photograph on my blog for a year. Slowly I learned. The mere fact that I  committed to posting daily made me pick up my camera on days when I didn’t really feel like it. But once I began looking for a subject to shoot, my enthusiasm generally increased. I always got a photograph, and I was always happy I had made the effort to keep that daily promise to myself.

My photographs have changed a lot over the last few years. At first, I worked on the basics of composition and focus and pleasing subjects. Now my photographs vary greatly. One photo may look painterly, the next may be a macro study on the color orange, a third will be a refection study of a garden pond. I love to experiment. I love to see how far I can stretch the photographic experience that my camera can produce.

I truly love to have a camera in my hands, ready to capture my vision!

Why Photography?

Seattle Waterfront © 2010 Bo Mackison

Today I begin a series of blog posts on why I have chosen to make photography my passion, my art medium, and my career.

Following my series, I will also run a series of guest posts from other people who feel that photography has been a positive influence in their lives, too. Some of these people are photographers who are passionate about their career, some are artists in other media who also enjoy photography, some are casual photographers, but all have one thing in common. Photography has had a positive impact on their lives.

#1.  I love photography because it constantly provides me with opportunities to build new skills and learn new techniques.

Life is a never ending learning experience. Photography is a great discipline in that there is always something new to learn. So many new things, always fresh and inviting. I could learn a new thing about photography every day (and I often do) and I will never discover answers to all my questions. How thrilling is that?

For example, here are a few of the many photo-related items on my explore list for the month of September:

1. I want to explore the use of neutral gradient filters.

2. I want to compare the different methods of sharpening in post processing.

3. I want to choose one photograph and print it on the four types of paper I have, plus print it on canvas.

4. I want to find a resource or two that explains the different equipment that can be used for macro-photography.

5. I want to read the book Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision by David DuChemin.

6. I want to catch up on editing my photographs from my early summer trip to Seattle.

7. Research how to best take photographs of thermal features including geysers, hot pools, fumaroles and hot pots.

8. Make a map of the thermal features to photograph in Yellowstone NP including best times to photograph in October.

I may not get all of these items crossed off my September list, but I’ve made a good start. After all, learning is a never ending process.

Dreamy – Day Lily

Abstract Pastel Lilies

Dreamy © 2010 Bo Mackison

Day lily. Dreaming in pastel softness. Photographed at Allen Centennial Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin.

Lovin’ Yellow – Autumn Sunflower

Sunflower Photographed at Allen Centennial Gardens in Madison Wisconsin

Lovin’ Yellow © 2010 Bo Mackison

Another view – autumn is a comin’.

Photographed at Allen Centennial Gardens, the University of Wisconsin horticultural gardens, in Madison.

Waving Brown Eyed Susan

Waving Sunflower © 2010 Bo Mackison

Autumn is fast approaching. Last week, Wisconsin had temperatures hovering in the low 90s. This week the thermometer is registering in the low 60s.

Suddenly I’ve discovered I don’t have to rush out of the house in the early mornings and late evenings to see what newest flowers are blooming in the many nearby gardens. The autumn flowers are blooming, even the purple asters which usually don’t bloom until October.

So this seems like an appropriate photo for the season. Yellows, rusts, browns – the palette of autumn. Sunflower photographed at Allen Centennial Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin.