I think it is interesting. I know I am often guilty of the fast shot and want to "slow down" myself. I also think there is a time and place for those typical fast shots.
I think the author's idea about the camera replacing the need to look at what is in front of us is thought provoking.
He said it very professionally. I, as you likely know, don't mince words.I shoot a lot of film. And when you shot film, you don't just shoot blindly, take 300 photos, and keep 6. You look, plan, compose, and shoot 12 pictures, and keep 12.
I used to spend a lot of money to be at the Indy 500, and I spent the whole time shooting pictures with 3 cameras strapped to me, and never "watched the race" that I paid money to go to.
I now go there without a camera, as I have thousands of images. I enjoy the event again.
I never realized that there was an actual movement... photography has always been about the entire package to me.
That's why I love film, because I don't want to waste any so I'm careful.
@wac that's just to the point - about one year ago I had the same feeling and converted from Nikon to Leica. Leica is all about slow photography with it's all manual cameras and lenses - not even autofocus. Before a used to shoot like a machine gun, nowadays I look and wait for the moment and do two or tree shots. You should try it some day - switch your camera to manual and you have to start thinking again - it's liberating
Through 365 I've begun to slow down and appreciate the colors, textures, angles, etc. I don't capture them perfectly, but I've enjoyed myself as I've spent an hour photographing a tulip tree or 45 minutes out in the rain trying to capture a raindrop. My inexperience with photographing people makes me nervous doing it, so I go too fast. I rarely get what I want from people photos because I was rushing through it.
I definitely agree with that sentiment - it's a real shame when you go into auto-pilot taking quick photos, and realise that you've missed out altogether on the experience while trying to document it.
It can be a really positive thing to slow down and take the time to think more carefully what you're trying to photograph, and enjoy the subject at the same time!
I so much appreciate what this gentleman is saying in the article! I have been shooting exclusively in manual for the past couple of years, with very few exceptions. When you do photography simply for art, it forces you to really know what your camera and your lenses can do, that takes time and patience! You slow down to get the result you want, not just a snapshot of that moment in time.
I am happy you are enjoying this article. I shoot mostly in maual as well and enjoy that feeling of being lost in the moment. I went out today and felt happy when I went slowly - bending down to the level of the sand, looking at the scene from all directions, etc. I still did some snapping but I could feel the difference.
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I used to spend a lot of money to be at the Indy 500, and I spent the whole time shooting pictures with 3 cameras strapped to me, and never "watched the race" that I paid money to go to.
I now go there without a camera, as I have thousands of images. I enjoy the event again.
Nuff said.
That's why I love film, because I don't want to waste any so I'm careful.
Through 365 I've begun to slow down and appreciate the colors, textures, angles, etc. I don't capture them perfectly, but I've enjoyed myself as I've spent an hour photographing a tulip tree or 45 minutes out in the rain trying to capture a raindrop. My inexperience with photographing people makes me nervous doing it, so I go too fast. I rarely get what I want from people photos because I was rushing through it.
It can be a really positive thing to slow down and take the time to think more carefully what you're trying to photograph, and enjoy the subject at the same time!