On Sunday March 18th, I had the chance to attend National Geographic Traveler's Nature Photo Seminar at the Seattle Library. I was excited the few days leading up to it but even more so that morning as I rode the ferry over to the city. The two photographers who were speaking were Eddie Soloway and Michael Melford. They are amazing nature photographers who I had a lot to learn from and I did. Even now I wish it had been a multiple days so I could just pick their brains clean.
Eddie started the seminar with a story that I found something I feel like I tell people around me. So I wanted to share it with all of you. I even wrote in my notes, "write in blog." He began by telling us about his earlier years as a photographer and going around to different art shows around the country. I believe he was in Chicago. He got the question, we as photographers get, when people see our work, "what kind of camera did you use?" Once you answer they ask, "what kind of lens?" And on and on asking all sorts of questions about the equipment. He had a man asking him these things and wasn't getting the satisfaction he wanted from Eddie's answers. The man walked away and the Violinist, who was playing next to Eddie's booth, went over and told Eddie that he was at a show once and when he was done playing a man asked him what kind of violin is that, it makes beautiful music. The Violinist holds the violin out and says I don't hear anything. It's not about the equipment you have but the eye. Later on Michael told us of a couple he came across. The husband had all the gear and his wife was just sporting a point and shoot. His wife was kicking her husband's ass with the photos she was producing. These stories gave me some comfort. I am poor and don't have the money to buy the newest and greatest camera gear. I do believe I have the eyes though, which is the important thing.
There were a few other techniques that both artists pointed out that I feel I can say I already do that helps make their photos and careers successful. One in particular would be being able to read light in the way that I can, which is change my vision black and white to figure out values. I mastered that by only shooting in black and white. I feel its something that a lot of photographers today lack, due to they don't have to shoot in black and white. There is all this color but by doing so you get a more full understanding of values, so when you do shoot in color they are rich and luster.
One of the other ideas was from Eddie and that is to have a child's sense of wonder and curiosity. Which these things get me in trouble sometimes but can lead to awesome outcomes. He said if you have trouble to borrow a 4 year old for a day and you will learn a whole new world. I am someone who doesn't want to just take the normal shoot. Sometimes I will be bend over backwards to get what I want.
I learned so much from both these amazing photographers. One thing is when it's mid day, cause on a sunny day it sucks to shoot at that time, to use that time to scout out potential photo areas when the light changes. Pepper Spray works well on bears. With wildlife the photo is in their eyes. I have 6 pages of notes! I could go on and on.
In the end I was so happy I spent the time and money to listen to Michael Melford and Eddie Soloway. I even had the courage to give each of them my business cards. Was my heart pounding or what! As I was walking down the streets of Seattle, a feeling came back to me that I have felt like it was missing, and that was I can make it.
- Heather
Adventure is Everywhere
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