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andybeel
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Challenge your photographic preconceptions in 2012

I have been thinking about a new photo project for 2012. One new picture taken each week, that’s worth looking at. I did consider a 365 project but my objective is very specific and different to a usual 365 project.

I want to take the opportunity to challenge my photographic preconceptions. If we are going to understand ourselves and reach our highest potential then we all need to think about what we are doing and how we are doing it. Whatever it is. Taking time to think about what is important and not urgent to quote Dr Stephen Covey. See www.stephencovey.com

I am going to use the Freeman Paterson Book – “Photography and the art of seeing” as my guide, which has just been republished. See www.freemanpattersom.com for his books and workshops.

If you Google 365 photo project will find websites that give you lists of things to photograph on a daily basis – that’s not my purpose. I want to confront my preconceptions and learn about myself and my photography by doing the opposite of what I would normally do. Not every picture I make will be a winner or gain acclaim. It is important to review the pictures with the same mindset as when you were taking them. I am searching for new starting points in my photography.

For example I have long been preaching to many audiences that a tripod is an instrument of the devil and a flashgun produces the devils light. What pictures could I make if I used my Tripod and a flashgun? I have a 30-year-old unused small manual flashgun – guide number unknown.

So I invite you a join me for a new adventure in 2012 by the end of it hopefully we will see the world around us in a new and different light. In our brave new world we may understand our relationship to the world in a deeper and meaningful way.

If you have done a 365 project or a 52 week project please share what you learnt and would have been good to know before you started. Thanks

The picture “Shopping Expedition” above challenges a preconception. I normally crop a picture to to have one or three points of interest. My original crop was without with my shadow. It was taken with a f.185 pinhole adaptor and ISO 25600. ISO 25600 means I can use a pinhole adaptor in good light and see the pinhole picture in the camera with Liveview.

Yet another picture made from noise and shadows processed as a Lith Print in Lightroom 3.5.

(c) Andy Beel FRPS

www.andybeelfrps.co.uk/newsletter

10 responses to Challenge your photographic preconceptions in 2012

  1. athyfoto says:

    Sounds like an interesting idea. I often get whatever the photographers version of writers lock is. I need to take time this winter to get something planned out for the new year, I have a blank mind at he moment 🙂 Still a blank mind may be like a blank sheet of paper, here’s hoping.

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  5. Paula says:

    Shall follow this with great interest. I am in Awe that you find the time for all this thinking and action. Am trying to learn from your example, without copying.

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  7. Malcolm Newell says:

    A very interesting idea Andy, I’m looking forward to seeing where this takes you, it’s good for all of us to be dragged out of that comfort zone once in a while.
    I couldn’t agree more that tripods are the work of Satan, did God give us three legs? No. Having said that, I’ve got one of those Gorrilapods, what a clever thing, it fits in a small bag and I can use it anywhere – I tell myself it’s not a tripod, it takes away the guilt!

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  8. danitacahill says:

    I also prefer to shoot handheld without flash whenever possibe. That said, I have both a tripod and a flash gun. Both do have their place.

    I’ve read of this same sort of idea put forth by other photographers – sort of a go-out-of-your-comfort-zone sort of thing. Experiment. Do what you don’t normally do. Might be a great idea.

    Thanks for the reminder.

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  9. andybeel says:
    Author

    Hi Malcom – I’ve always thought a Gorrilapod would as useful as chocolate teapot for a heavy DSLR and heavy Standard zoom lens, it looks fine for a compact camera, is this your experience?
    Thanks Andy

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