Canon

Does it matter?

2010, Photography


Does it matter why you or I photograph? Does it matter why you or I developed (or are developing) a personal style, a vision? Does it matter how you or I compose and see? Does it matter what gear you or I use? Likely not.

For many it seems so, but even if they knew I wonder how much it really matters. It matters to me what I do and I maybe only like to know what matters you when I try to understand what you do.

It matters to me what techniques I use, how I compose and expose. And yes, it even matters to me what gear I use. Not because I get the best image quality and the perfect photograph, but because I know how it enables me to make the photographs I envision. You know, possibilities and limitations.

I think it all matters to the execution and not to the eventual photograph. Everything else is probably only a justification.

But I have to apologize for not posting so regularly. Today I was finally able to ingest, select, and edit some of my photographs from the last three weeks. And then some say all the fun about digital photography is all about immediacy.

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma

Square view

2010, Photography


I like photography and I am glad many others do so too, but every time I am in a zoo I am surprised by the incredible equipment people take with them. Some even look like they are going on a game drive or something.

I like going to the zoo too, but I like to photograph my kids there. Their joy and excitement is wonderful and inspiring. The animals are secondary to me.

In the meantime I like to share a recent winter scenery from a week ago. Incredible that the snow is already gone, but it has been a pretty cold winter so far for a country in the midst of a sea climate.

Photograph by Wouter Brandsma

Don’t leave

2010, Photography


I seriously want to return to one photograph per post unless I have some photographs that have things in common or are part of more lengthly series. While looking for inspiration I searched the web too and found a suggestion to lock yourself up in a room and take 50 photographs. I extended the room to my house, but still wanted to make sure I took 50 photographs in total.

Last night I finished with 19 photographs in my first selection and than carefully started to edit these photographs. Around mid night I had settled on 7 photographs and this morning I reduced it to my final edit of 5 photographs.

I first started to photograph everything I noticed, but after an hour I started to notice the light fall at subjects. Instead of the subjects, it was the light that started to intrigue me.

It was a good practice I think. Not only to see common things differently, but also to be more selective in my editing. And I am determined to this more often until the light and inspiration is back. There is no necessity to leave your house, district, or country to find photographic moments.

All photographs by Wouter Brandsma