I recently attended a workshop hosted by "A Bryan Photo" in Birmingham Alabama. This was a workshop for fellow creative's who are in business and striving for more simplicity in their life. This workshop was also based on all things film related, so bring out the Leica and Rollei cameras. The owners Bryan and Ashley Johnson, were wonderful hosts and mentors.
I attended this class for the sole purpose of redefining who I am as a photographic artist. Capturing imagery with film makes you slowdown and process your thoughts more clearly. Digital has made the "right here right now" syndrome an epidemic for all photographers. I thought I would never shoot film again but lo and behold I am still in love with the process and the end results. It is kind of funny that so many Photoshop actions for making digital files look like film are available. Workflow wise I cannot stand living in the computer when the outside world is happening without me being there to capture it. There is just something to be said about exposing of all the film and sending it to your lab. The anticipation is intense and every time you or photographing with film you understand the importance of each image in the quality from which camera model in film type you choose to use.
I learned a few things that were life changing for me as an artist. It's obvious to me the style of photography that fits me the best can be summed up into one word...movement! Life moving around me is a story waiting to be captured. On a wedding I am constantly seeing people interacting allowing me to find the right angles to better tell the story of the image I wish to capture. All of your surroundings play an active role in telling the story within an image. I love seeing the entire scene before me then carefully selecting how and where to create the best photograph. Whenever I find myself having to pose people I always direct them with creating movement that provides me the moment I'm looking for. If a wedding couple is just looking at the camera they tend to be more stiff and plastic looking. I would rather get them in the position I want them in, then tell them to talk to each other or move together which always provides me a real moment worth capturing. The following image was literally a one shot click and get back out of the street before the cars came.
Minolta 35mm, manual focus
Nothing about the above image was posed. I was watching this scene take place in front of me with the car headlights along with the rain, so when the moment was right I said, "Quick run out in the street and kiss your girl!" The below image is what was happening right before my image was taken.
I realized creating from my soul was capturing the movement around me. The static poses just aren't me! I can pose all day long if needed but my heart thrives on movement. With this new found love for my inner artist I plan to showcase only the imagery that best represents my true style of photography. I'm excited to use my film cameras and help keep the nostalgic imagery alive. This workshop helped me realize Timeless imagery is my true love and Movement is the style which keeps me inspired to create, capture and share!