One of Many Ways
One of the things I love most about photography is that two photographers can shoot the same location and come away with totally different images. The tools of the craft allow for two photographers to be literally standing side by side and yet produce very different work. This is due to the variables in capture – lense choice, focal length, aperture, shutter speed, flash, focus etc. as well as the semingly endless variables in post production. We all see the world around us in our own individual way. I think one of the great lessons of photography is an appretiation for this very fact. My way of looking at things is just that – my way. It’s not necessarily the best way and it’s definitely not the only way. It’s one of many. Photography teaches me humility. I love when I come across work by fellow photographers from locations I too have shot and my reaction is “wow!”. I get to see the familiar from a totally different perspective. That’s exciting. Walking in another person’s shoes is very educational. (Here’s a joke to hopefully bring a chuckle to your Monday – Before you give your opinion, walk a mile in another man’s shoes. That way if he doesn’t like what you have to say you’re a mile away and you’ve got his shoes!)
Below are two images from a recent trip to Calgary. I was walking with my son along Stephen Avenue and we came across these structures which are commonly known as the “Steel Trees”. Their purpose, besides adding interest to the downtown area, is to reduce wind drafts between the buildings. I spent about two minutes figuring out a composition that worked for me and then we were on our way again off to grab treats at Tim Hortons.
Check out these links for images by Samantha Chrysanthou and Royce Howland. Big time “wow!” moments in both cases. I’ll have to return to the “Steel Trees” one day without little people in tow and when I have more than two minutes because these two wonderful photographers have shown me I haven’t come close to doing this location justice.
