I like to keep my photography varied, as varied as possible. Browsing through my stream, one would definitely notice that I prefer to post landscape and other scenic style shots, and honestly, those are probably the ones I enjoy taking the most. In no small part because those are the type of place I enjoy - being - the most. But I like to always keep my eyes open to new perspectives. Interesting and intriguing can come in many forms and be found in many different places, such as a nearly empty parking lot one late evening in downtown Portland, which is when and where I found this.
I definitely see the logic in arguing that a photographer should concentrate his efforts, work on a particular style or subject. There is certainly merit to this, particularly if you want to develop a strong body of work. I think there is merit to keeping your style, and necessarily, your vision, varied. It does promote a much wider body of work, that can lack depth, but the exercise it gives you in seeing is invaluable.
And though I may never print and frame a shot such as this (does not mean I do not like it enough too) I do greatly appreciate the ability, or the desire to practice the ability, to always be on the lookout for the odd and the unique as well as the scenic and the beautiful. I am almost as fascinated in hunting down these little vignettes of life that can be found in the nooks and crannies of our daily life, as I am awed by standing under a certain bridge at sunset.
This shot also has a bit of personal significance. I once worked with a very creative and exuberant photographer by the name of Josey Peterson at Blue Moon Camera. And when you work with someone six days a week in a store as closely knit as Blue Moon is, there becomes little difference between co-worker and family. Josey had a fondness for butterflies and had once purchased a pair of giant butterfly wings, which she was quite fond of. You would have to have known her to understand how well they fit her spirit. This piece of graffiti reminded me of her on this evening two years removed from her untimely (isn't it always) death. It is a shot she would have gotten a good chuckle out of.
I hope I do not sound overly idealistic, but the world needs more photographers. People who will stop, or at least slow down, to notice what is happening in the nooks and crannies, and even more importantly, to make photos that allow others to share in the odd, unique, scenic or beautiful.
This was taken with my Leica M3 and TMAX 3200 film, the combination of which is great for walking city streets at night without a tripod or flash.
Loading contexts...
