I've only ever "gone into a shoot" once, and the "shoot" was some lighting and a big white sheet. But for the sake of simplicity I'll use such jargon. I enjoy shooting nature, the organic and inorganic; I enjoy shooting man made beauty or not-beauty; and I'll even shoot a living breathing human as long as it's unbeknownst to them. However, and much to my disappointment, I was required to shoot a portrait of a friend, and I was required to create a situation with him where his personality is shown. I was required to create. This I knew, even before going into the shoot, would be difficult as I do not create, I merely capture. After many failed attempts, and with only a few shots left, I was fairly irritated with my inability to make him more of himself for my camera to see. I gave up and was about to expose the last of my film into a negative I knew I would dislike anyway. I stopped and asked my friend to play his guitar, the prop he brought in to help showcase his personality. So he played, and with my last image I captured him. I did not create a scene; I was required to stand in front of a person who was comfortably himself on his own, without my help. I had a camera. I wound the last of my film into place, lifted the old Nikon to my face, focused precisely, set the exposure, and, gently pressing the little silver button, heard the sweet sound of my shutter capturing an image I would like. Thank you Matt Kwa.
No comments:
Post a Comment