Last Thursday I zipped over to Worland after work to attend a free photography class at the new library. Sponsored by Lifetime Arts, with support from Hahnemuhle Fine Art, the teacher is award winning artist, Barrie Lynn Bryant. The class is entitled, “Accessible, Meaningful, and Purposeful Photography”
It goes for eight weeks and I think it will give me more of an insight into the ART of photography. The examination of “purpose” will also help… I try to tell many stories with my photos. The problems I have is that I am *in* the activities I capture. That doesn’t give me time to artfully frame the subject, think about the intricacies of light, and reshoot when something is not working.
There are plenty of western photographers I admire, but often I’ve seen them working *outside* their subjects. “Hey, ride your horse by me again. The sun is setting, ride to the top of the hill.” I guess it gives you practice on how to capture things when they do happen to you, but my photography has had to just be a point and shoot and hope something turns out method.
From my old OOPE method way back when, to today’s non-style, I’ve always just had to keep working. Often the camera had to disappear as the excitement and speed increased. I can’t hold onto a camera when I need two hands for my reins! Even in the side by side or pickup or on foot, my emphasis has to be on working, not the art of photography.
Since my first class, I’ve been thinking about being slower and more deliberate. I spent some time looking through my cameras… and I stumbled across a setting on my iPhone that I like. Portraiture with hi/lo lighting is a favorite of mine… so I’ve been playing with it.
What do you think?
It will be wonderful for you to gain more information and techniques to use in your photography and I look forward to seeing them. However, as you are telling the story of your ranching life your current photos are a true reflection of that. Whereas getting someone to repeat something to make it a more perfect photo detracts from the ‘real thing’. There is room for both.
Wow. You’re starting out with great photos. You’ve definitely got the eye, even if life has to come first. I enjoy all your pictures. Keep up the good work and enjoy your class.
Sounds like an interesting class for you. You can apply the new things you learn in many ways, I think, since you already have a very artistic “eye”.
I like your photos!
You could teach a class, your photos are so good.
LOVE it!!! Phone cameras are pretty amazing these days. And it isn’t the equipment as much as the eye that matters. I think you have the eye. Can’t wait to see what you do!