Turns out, bison are big. I knew this, of course, but when one decides to scratch that itch right in front of you, well, it’s difficult not to sit back and appreciate the girth. Another thirty-minute book here, but working with very limited resources. I wasn’t feeling it on this day. Look, I’m just like you. I have good days and bad days. Some days I can’t miss. Other days, I can’t get out of my own way. The light feels too harsh, I find excuses. On this day, after feeling this way, I said, “Okay, dumbass, you have ten minutes to shoot your assignment.” I knew I wanted an “action shot,” a portrait, and some other detail or semi-sterile image that would provide a sense of place. I would grade this a “D” overall. Whatever.
Nicest guy in the world. “Where do you want me?” he asked. The light was SO bad, the background SO busy. Just nailed him in place. The bison provided the action, and the lovely woman in orange, well, that just fell in my lap. The boots are the picture you make because you think you might need it, all the while knowing it’s not great. Working this way reminded me of the newspaper days. Forced into a place, limited time, gotta make something.
Comments 9
The portrait looks great, was that fill on the face from the in built strobe or just bright reflection? If it is an in built flash then the colour balance with the natural light of amazing!
Author
Yep, built in strobe. Love that thing. It’s one of the most important features of the X100 series, at least for me.
Bison are big. Yeah. I once was riding my bicycle past a bison ranch. On the other side of a flimsy fence and a skimpy ditch, a mama bison was giving me the stink eye. Bison do good stink eye even when they’re feeling as amiable as bison ever get, but this was full on. I was seriously wondering if I could ride my bike up the next hill faster than it could run me down and trample me. I’d be pretty pleased with that portrait.
Author
I love watching them drill tourists who are too dumb to know any better. Just when you think humans can’t get anymore self absorbed. They meet Mr.Mrs. Bison.
“I would grade this a “D” overall.” WTf, thought Id told you. Don’t bag your self. That’s our job. The eyes alone rate a B+
Author
Far from my best work. There were a lot better images around. Success is rare.
I feel like I need a devil on my shoulder, or an ear piece connected to a van full of observers telling me to get “X” photo while I’m out and about. Not that I have a desire to be a press photographer, just to have someone focus me. It’s not the type of constraint ever placed upon me in the art dept. side of college photography or even any workshop I’ve attended. Another thing I realized recently is that I shy away from being invasive to other people. Even on a relatively light World Cup day here in Seattle, I got it stuck in my head that if I were the person/s about to be photographed, would I care? It’s almost a quaint notion at this point in the world, as what expectation of privacy is there walking around on city streets? Anyhoo. These are good posts Dan. I like seeing things that are possible in a fast timeframe. It gives us rocks and trees folks something to think about.
Author
Mr. Greer, you gotta get out of your head. Too much thinky, not enough plinky. Oh, see what I did there! Give yourself assignments, deadlines, and editing deadlines. Boom, cured. Photographing people is invasive, but enjoy that process. This is one reason I engage with people and don’t blast unsuspecting people ala some street photog types who seem to take pride in trying to be Bruce Gilden. Plus, if I did that here I’d get my ass handed to me.
Good points. In the few negatives I have that could be loosely described as “street,” I did talk with those people and ask permission, so it’s not a completely alien concept to me.