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Shooting Up?
| 5.29.2006
Every time I show pictures to someone, I always get asked about my gear. Typically, I either use a 35mm or a medium format, both with 50-80mm lenses (no zooms) I've been taking pictures as long as I can remember. I've never been into telephoto lenses or any other optics that would keep me too far away from the subject matter. There is something kinetic that happens when one is forced (or prefers) to interact with a person or object close up. There is a huge profound difference between being an involved participant and being a passive viewer. If you've ever walked around any city or tourist trap, you'll notice almost every guy (yes, mostly guys) has a huge telephoto lens mounted to the end of their camera. I see them always shooting up or far away. They shoot church steeples, tree-lines, birds on ledges, massive crowds from far away, etc. It's as if they're almost looking over all the great close up action in front of them because they can. Because of technology. Because of cool camera gear. Don't get me wrong. I'm as big a tech head as they come. There is just a huge difference in how a photographer will shoot if they're close up AND a huge difference the subject matter will behave if you're present within 10-15 feet. Imagine shooting a skateboarder on Copley Square from 50 yards away and then 15 feet away. Completely different shot and much more dynamic if within 15 feet.
I did some pro bono work for Michael Stipe (dropping a cool name). He and Patty Smith were touring with their photography show, 2X Intro, and I helped with the marketing for the Photographic Resource Center at Boston University. After the show, I was lucky enough to be invited a private dinner. Michael thanked me for helping out and within our brief conversation, he mentioned that he's been shooting with the same 35mm film camera with a 24mm wide angle lens for years. He loved the fact that it forced him to be really close to his subject matter and that the picture had a "special" dimension to it. I agree.
I'm mostly digital now, but for years, I was toting around my Fuji 6x9 medium format range finder camera. I always got the film developed but never spent the money to blow up each picture as I had thousands of them and didn't have the money. Recently, I found a mail order place on the west coast called myspecialphotos and sent a bunch of my chromes for high-res scanning. Check them out under the photo gallery section. The ones added are Africa, India and Paris/London. Let me know what you think!
posted at 4:02 PM
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2 Comments:
Nice selection of pictures. I see what you mean by being part of the picture such as with the cow on the beach. Nice eye all around.
I agree. I have to be in a very special mood in order to feel comfortable enough to come down from the trees as it were. But, when I do get in there things are usually much better.
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