While young, most people favor big and bold - the bigger, the bolder, the better. We want that “Pow!” factor that forces us to stop and take notice, sports, cars, music, - all items that must be the biggest, the loudest, the “best”. Everything becomes eXtreme, and a quick flight from one big adventure to the next. It is certainly not uncommon for this pursuit to include alcohol, thus seeking out the strongest beers, the strongest liquors, and the strongest wines. It soon becomes that the goal is to overindulge and to press the limits, taste at this point is almost irrelevant.
As we age, many find that their tastes change, and find that there is much joy in the small intricacies. Some become more selective and realize that there are other enjoyable factors beyond alcohol content. An awareness of the nuances of a great bottle of wine - the color, texture, the small attributes that make it palatable, it becomes something to savor. To accentuate the “essence” of the ingredients many fine wines must be opened and “breathe” for a time before consumption. The goal is now subtly and taste, a slow, deliberate experience.
As photographers pursue their art, many have found a parallel their development. In the beginning there is the goal of photographing that “Pow!” factor - big, bold, and dramatic. The journey becomes a where one large landscape image leads to another leaving the photographer a grand scenic alcoholic. In the end it is about getting that one shot, it’s not about journey.
As these photographers review their goals and work, they consciously or unconsciously make a realization and admit that they have a compulsion for nothing less than the slap you in the face, yelling to the world, almost belligerent images. This breakthrough can facilitate a change – joy is found in the simple things, spurring a desire a different kind of image, a different type of photograph. These are compositions that when processed and opened to “breathe” are more and more desirable with each viewing. These are the images that are now allowed to age and become even better with time.
So am I insinuating that there is something wrong with bold, grand, large, impressive? Not at all, there is room for all types of alcohol and of course, photographs. One can have the wide-angle “Hey everyone look at this, isn’t this cool!” type of photograph, but there is a place for the close-ups, the small nature scenes, and the contrasts, shadows, and patterns studies. I have come to feel that as I have aged the old adage holds true - everything in moderation. Now where did I put that beer?
Technical Details:
Canon 5d, 70-200 f/4l @ 70mm, f/8, 1/125 sec.
Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada
This photograph can be viewed on my website at: http://www.journeyoflight.com/journey06/photo.asp?pictureid=ForestFocus&xmlfile=/journey06/xml/color/northwest.xml&x=18
