The First 12 Months
Today finishes my first 12 months in my new photographic life. It was a year ago today that Lin gave me my birthday present of a Canon 350D with which to take up the photography hobby that I put down years ago. The intention was for me to document our lives, get out more and take some nice pictures. I don’t think either of us could have imagined the journey that we were beginning.
I have read more books and articles than I can remember, moved from shooting landscapes and insects to building a fully equipped dedicated studio and shooting the revealed soul of my subjects. I have moved from the 350D to the professional 5D with L series lenses. But most of all I have changed the way that I look at the people I photograph.
I guess that my photographs will mean more to me than anyone else because each one reminds me of the person who was photographed. The point at which our lives touched for a few hours and we shared a vision. My aim with my photographs is to take that point of contact and immortalise it in a way that allows the viewer to also feel that they are part of that moment.
It’s not all been plain sailing.
When two people change their way of life, to encompass previously unimaginable territory, there is bound to be friction. But this friction has brought us closer together and given us a greater understanding of both each other and ourselves. Despite all the friction though, Lin has always given me 100% support, without which I would not be were I am today.
We have also had a lot of fun. It is a great experience to meet people. Photographing people without the armour of makeup and clothes, while bringing out the essence of who they are, seems to make people more willing to connect. Thus we both feel that after a year we have made many new friends who, I hope, we will see again.
What lies in the future? Who knows? Given the changes that have occurred in the last 12 months it’s anyone’s guess. Let’s hope that it continues to get better and better in the way the last year has.
I have read more books and articles than I can remember, moved from shooting landscapes and insects to building a fully equipped dedicated studio and shooting the revealed soul of my subjects. I have moved from the 350D to the professional 5D with L series lenses. But most of all I have changed the way that I look at the people I photograph.
I guess that my photographs will mean more to me than anyone else because each one reminds me of the person who was photographed. The point at which our lives touched for a few hours and we shared a vision. My aim with my photographs is to take that point of contact and immortalise it in a way that allows the viewer to also feel that they are part of that moment.
It’s not all been plain sailing.
When two people change their way of life, to encompass previously unimaginable territory, there is bound to be friction. But this friction has brought us closer together and given us a greater understanding of both each other and ourselves. Despite all the friction though, Lin has always given me 100% support, without which I would not be were I am today.
We have also had a lot of fun. It is a great experience to meet people. Photographing people without the armour of makeup and clothes, while bringing out the essence of who they are, seems to make people more willing to connect. Thus we both feel that after a year we have made many new friends who, I hope, we will see again.
What lies in the future? Who knows? Given the changes that have occurred in the last 12 months it’s anyone’s guess. Let’s hope that it continues to get better and better in the way the last year has.
posted by Richard at 1:41 PM
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