The Photography Experience
"A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees."
- Amelia Earhart
Bluebells and Fern
Donald McGuire
With today being St. Patrick’s Day, it seems fitting to share not just a photo from Ireland but , more importantly, a memory. It reminds us that photography is as much about the experience as the photos we make.
I am of Irish descent on both sides of my family tree. However, I did not feel a strong identity or connection to Ireland. Even while being surrounded by a relatively large Irish-American community. That changed dramatically when I finally traveled to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. As a photographer, it wasn't the green hills and beautiful landscapes that put me in touch with my Irish roots but its people.
Having been born and raised surrounded by the concrete of New York City, botany was barely something I could spell. Much less something I was interested in. One of photography's joys is that it teaches us to see things that we would not have noticed in the past, with or without the camera. Here there are two bluebells and a sprinkle of ferns. A little research told me that both are symbolic of gratitude, humility, and sincerity. While I didn't know this floral fact as I took the photo, the moment was born in precisely such sentiments.
On the Road
Donald McGuire
It's typical to elevate our heritage. Even joke about the less savory tendencies of those who share it. It isn't this bias, though, but my experience of finding the Irish to be among the kindest and most welcoming of people that I have met on my travels.
Fernagh Cottage, Omagh
William M Park
My twin brother has been to Northern Ireland often and has some favorite photo spots. While together, he suggested we visit a nearby rustic scene, several quaint cottages in Omagh that he had photographed before. Such dwellings have a rich and fabled history in Ireland and the North. The scene I was hoping for was beautifully captured in a painting by William M Park.
Unfortunately, the setting was no longer as pristine as he had last seen. The cottages were being restored, and there was a fair amount of construction and debris.
As we prepared to move on, a gentleman from a nearby property approached us, curious to know what we were doing. I expected the classic 'Get off my lawn, you kids' response. Instead, he had a much different reaction when we told him why we were there - to take photos. My brother mentioned that he had been there before.
The Mountainy Men
Declan Forde
Rather than be skeptical of strangers, our newfound friend spent the next 15 minutes telling us about the history of the cottages. He told us about the joy of the music they made there every Saturday night. The houses came alive as he spoke. He told us to wander the property as long as we wished. He returned with a CD containing the music they had shared. He gave one to each of us. Kindness, above and beyond. It's only one of many such examples I have experienced among the Irish.
When he left us again, I saw this little patch of earth, green and warm, with an elevated mood. It reflected my perspective, the spirit of the Irish people that I had come to know, and the land they call home.
Now and again, I listen to the music that our 'tour guide' shared with me, and it takes me back to this peaceful Irish spring moment.
In the end, it isn't about a good photograph or a bad one. Whatever that means. It's about an experience that impacts us, creating a lifetime memory captured in a second.
Photo thoughts -
Let your mood dictate your photography, don't let the photography dictate your mood.
Critical to both the enjoyment and the end result of your photography is your mindset. Indeed, a client-driven photographer has to be keeping a close eye on the end result. However, if you are doing it for yourself, pay more immediate attention to how something makes you feel than how it looks on your LCD. In this case, the warmth of this stranger lifted my mood after the initial disappointment in the setting. That feeling translated to recognizing a warm and inviting scene.
When the scene doesn't look like you envisioned, look for more intimate details.
When your original expectations of a more expansive opportunity aren't met, take a step back from the dominant subjects and vista of what's before you. Look for more intimate details or pieces of the landscape that better reflect how you feel about it. While the cottages would have been quaint, I may have photographed them based on my preconceived notions instead of something that turned into a treasured memory.
Imagine and feel the history of the places you are photographing.
In this case, not much imagination was required as our host told us the story of the cottages and grounds. He shared the memory of the music they made there. It gave me a new perspective of the setting and reinforced my feelings about the Irish people. Even without a 'tour guide,' we can slow down and imagine the backdrop 50 years ago instead of the next 1/200th of a second.
Fences can act as leading lines to draw the eye through the image.
All photographers have individual visual quirks. Things that they always notice and can’t resist. For me, it is a fence coursing through the scene. Not barriers that appear restrictive but calming and seem to fit in with the surroundings. Wood fences somehow don't clash with nature as we might expect a wall. They can also be used to add energy and a leading line through the composition.
Color contrast isolates a subject.
Though they are minimal in pixel count, the bluebells stand out due to their color contrast in a sea of green. The smallest element in a photograph can become a dominant subject.
Further Interest -
Fernagh Cottage, Omagh By William M Park
Omagh: Paintings and Stories from the Seat of the Chiefs, Haldane Mitchell (Author), William Park (Illustrator)
