Jump off Point

I believe that there is a point where a photographer looks at an image that he/she has taken and knows that it is a fantastic shot.  He/she is blown back by the result and becomes truly passionate about photography, and is inspired to capture the world around them.  Some people experience this early on, but others spend years shooting what they may consider to be “average” shots, but to their viewers they are amazing.

In my case, the following picture is what I consider to be the image that inspired a passion for the craft:

Sunset Silhouette Tree

The date was December 31, 2004, the location was White Rock, British Columbia, and I had been shooting with my first DSLR for about three months.  I had left my sister, brother-n-law and then fiance at the beach to run back to the car to grab a jacket.  As I turned to start back to the beach, I saw this scene unfold before me.  I composed, shot and hurried back to the beach to watch the sunset.  There have only been two edits made to this image:  very slight levels adjustment and the removal of a very dark “no parking” sign in the foreground that was barely visible.  This image has haunted my dreams, won second place in a competition, and inspired me to learn; to know why that shot worked, and how to reproduce the same results in the future.  This is the image that does not let me stop.

If you had walked up to me on December 31, 2004 and told me that on my birthday in 2009 I would be creating a journal entry about that day while charging batteries for a wedding shoot in the afternoon, and drinking Hoodoo Jo roast from Kicking Horse Coffee, I would have probably laughed.  Today I look back, and am so thankful that I needed a jacket.  As well, I am so thankful for the support of my wife, family and friends.  I have been very fortunate to receive realistic feedback about my photography.  My thoughts on that will have to wait for a different post, but for the moment I’ll just say that honest feedback has helped me to push myself and I’ve been grateful for it.

As always, thanks for reading.  Now get out there and start shooting!

Comments

[Graham]

Yes, I agree. It is worth point out, however, that that image has not yet reached its full potential. It would be prudent to crop a little off the right and a little off the bottom. The image would also benefit it that little black hump (lower left) beside the couple was photoshopped out -- but that's just one person's opinion.

[Graham]

Oh ya, and level the horizon, too.

[Jared]

I love it! Thanks Graham. This goes to show how far we've come. I think the point is that if I were to take the picture now, I would probably compose it differently. What you are suggesting is completely reasonable, and debatable at the same time. I always find editing images with you fascinating as we approach them from different viewpoints. At this time, I'm not going to re-edit this shot, that may change if I were to include it as a print or to submit it again, but for now I'm happy with it as is.

Thanks!

ps. I knew you'd comment on the horizon!

[Kristelle]

As I read your post I felt very sentimental.

I remember this day and the excitement about shooting the sunset. I remember being happy that there was a nice sunset for you to shoot. Little did any one of us realize the importance of those moments. This picture and another fantastic shot you took of Dustin/I hung on our wall in our rental apartment for years & are waiting to go back up on the wall in our Abby home.

Your excitement, desire to learn, willingness to try, and natural ability are inspiring. I am blessed to have been able to witness these attributes and to then be inspired myself. Is there anything better than a younger sister being inspired by her older brother to and then trying to follow in his footsteps for something as wonderful as photography?

I still have much to learn, many things to try and not enough time to do it but you always inspire me to keep learning, trying, and become better - no matter what the timeline.

Thank you for allowing me to remain part of your life, to be inspired by you and to learn from you.

Love you!