PhotoCapM

Inspired by Scott Bourne’s Seven Things To Ask Before You Take Your Next Photograph « Photofocus. Please visit this link before reading the article below.

As some of you know I have been a huge fan and proponent of Scott Bourne and his work since I attended one of his seminars last November. In the short article linked above from his blog, Photofocus, you will find seven questions that I know I will be asking myself in the future. It amazes me how remembering just a few things as you go out to be a "picture maker" can influence the purpose behind your photography as well as the photograph itself.

A week ago Saturday I set out to photograph an area in downtown Salt Lake City. My original intent was to capture some architectural elements (a series I am beginning this year), streetscapes, and maybe a few people walking around town for the PhotographyBB Online photography assignment inspired by David duChemin. As I got in to the car to leave, I remembered something that changed my course of action in relation to what I had decided to photograph that day.

Last year I wanted to do an entire series on the homeless in Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah. My desire was to raise awareness of this population’s needs and plight. I wanted to bring to you, the viewer, images that would impact you in a way that might inspire you to help.

I really thought about the series as I drove in to Salt Lake on that Saturday and made the conscious decision to begin shooting it. As I grabbed my camera bag and left the car, I wanted my photography that day to have a real purpose and tangible meaning. Two of the results of the walk were photographs of Elmer (shown above) and John (shown below). Do not misunderstand me on this point, because I believe in the past I have made purposeful images, mostly illustrative composites, that have had deep meaning, but this was something new.

That something new was a determination to “make photographs”, real photographs and not illustrations, of those who are real and less fortunate. I thought about how I wanted to share with you and demonstrate to myself those who are sometimes ignored and/or avoided and should not be. I was on a mission to show you and remind myself that we need to care deeply for those in circumstances that we may not understand, nor be able to ever understand.

I do not remember ever seeing  Mr. Bourne’s list of questions until this morning. It may have been part of his seminar last fall, but to be honest there was so much information to take in I cannot remember. I do know that these seven things will make an impact on the images you make, because his judgment can be trusted about such things.

Part of me thinks that this list of questions are common sense for those who go out to photograph with determination and a purpose in mind. I know that in seeing these questions today some of them contain points that I really have not thought about in great detail. However, I will be thinking about them in detail going forward. As a matter of fact I have listed them in the little notebook I carry with me everywhere I go. Why? Because, I want to be reminded about what it takes to be a “picture maker” who has been “elevated…from snap shooter” according to Scott Bourne.

Mr. Bourne is a world renowned photographer whose work is incredible, because he knows what to do and how to do it. More importantly he cares about what to do and how to do it. I also believe he cares about you, the photographer, and has demonstrated his willingness to include you in his photographic venture by seeking to inspire you to do greater things with your photography. This list of questions is an example of that.

I would encourage you to visit Photofocus right now and read as much as can about what Mr. Bourne has to say regarding how you might improve your abilities as a purposeful photographer. I also want to personally thank him for being a real inspiration to me. I have no doubt that if you will take the time to read and listen to what he has to say, he will be an inspiration to you too.

You will see more photographs coming out of this series over the course of this year as I shoot them. And, with each you can rely on this; in the pictures I think about making I will be asking myself at least seven questions before I even approach the subject. I hope you will consider doing the same.

Until next time…

CbyM