A friend, who also is a photographer, recently wrote on her Facebook page, "No strobes or umbrellas, just natural lighting is the secret to GREAT photos and of course the right lens and (a) smart photographer ;)".To be honest, I went through a ton of emotions and thoughts after reading that, mostly because of recently becoming an "Alien Bee" owner and huge convert to the "Strobe Lovers of the Universe" religion. First and foremost, I was angry that another photographer could make such a statement. It was like a cook saying "No beef or chicken, only seafood is the secret to Great food and of course the right pan and a smart cook!"
I just couldn't figure out what would make another photographer say such a ridicules thing! I mean, we all have our preferences...likes and dislikes...and that's all well and good, but to say that what I am doing is the ONLY way...the BEST way...what the heck?!?
The more I thought about it, though, I think I figured out what was going on and we've all been there in some form or the other I believe.
When I first picked up a camera, snapped that first photo and looked at the result, I REALLY thought I had just done something special. I was a photographer of huge proportions and this photo of my girls was one of the best images that was ever made! I honestly deep down in some part of my psyche felt that way...and in some respects I was correct! I had just captured a piece of time and stored it for generations to come...something that no one else on the planet could replicate...something completely unique to me, my subject and that instant in time. That IS a pretty amazing thing.
When I look back on those photos now I can not believe how bad they are! Why?...well, the eyes are dark and in shadow, the colors are over saturated, the composition sucks, no depth of field... on and on and on!!! But at the time...they were GREAT! I was so ignorant...I was an untaught baby to photography and art.
Hopefully we are always growing and learning...opening ourselves up for criticism and discipline from those who not only may have more experience but those who have never held a camera before but understand art and light and whatever else there is that can make us a fuller, more understanding person/photographer. But to do that you have to be willing to say I Don't Know...I Need Help...I'm Not The Best...I Actually Suck Sometimes.
Sometimes it's just too scary to say that...way to vulnerable of a position to put ourselves in.
Sometimes we just don't know enough to understand how little we know!!!
So why did she say that? Of course I'll never know for sure, but my guess...is fear of the unknown. It's just so much easier to think that where you are is the best place to be than it is to think that I still haven't even scratched the surface of things to know and I'm a raving ignoramus!
I hope I can always stay an ignoramus...they learn sooooo much more...
Jeffrey Morris
p.s. above photo of Kirstian with absolutely no natural light...
