It is no secret that I enjoy photography…at least not if you’ve visited this blog more than once or twice. I can’t really explain why I enjoy photography so much, but I do. Maybe it’s the fact that photography is the closest I will ever get to artistic expression and being able to create “art” that others might enjoy. I would never be able to be a painter because I can’t even draw stick people. I’m not even that good as as sculptor. But put a camera in my hands and I seem to have some ability to put together a pleasing image that other people sometimes enjoy looking at.
The other interesting thing about photography for me is that it’s possible to share things that I experience in a whole different way than you might expect. Take this past Saturday as an example. If I told you that I visited the North Carolina State Capital and took pictures, I can almost hear the tires squealing as you rush to get away from me if what you’re expecting to see is the stereotypical “vacation pictures.” Instead, I would bring out pictures like the one of the staircase above. There is an abstract quality about this image, and I can share the beauty of the architectural detail with you in a way that, hopefully, is interesting.
Even exterior pictures can be made interesting, just by changing the perspective of the view. The picture at
the right shows the columns of the Capital as well as the detail on the underside of the roof structure the columns support. There is also a general feeling for the size of the building that is created from this angle. By shooting the photography from this angle, maybe I’ve even created an experience of the North Carolina State Capital that is unique, even for people who have been there many times.
Photography also gives me a chance to share the world with other people as I see it. Just as each of us experiences life through the filters of our experience and our world-view, we also tend to see the same scene visually in different ways. On Saturday, there were nine photographers in our group. At the end of the day, there were also nine unique sets of images captured that day. Even when we were shooting the same scene or object, the way we framed the picture, and captured the image in our cameras produced similar but different results.
So, that’s why I enjoy photography. I’m starting to plan my summer camping trips with the group that I hooked up with last summer. I’m really excited because I’ll be going to some different areas this summer where I can find new sites to photograph. I’m also anxious to return to a couple of places I visited last summer because I barely scratched the surface of photographic opportunities  that exist in those places. And the very best part is that I get to come back here and share those pictures with you.
It’s a goosebumpy feeling seeing those images spill out of the camera and onto the page for the first time, isn’t it? I’m nowhere near even calling myself a photographer and have no desire to learn the technical aspects of it, but I admire those who do. You seem to have an artistic eye and an obvious joy in your work. If that’s passion disguised as obsession, so be it. We love it! Keep ‘em coming!
Every time I come home from a photo outing, I almost get giddy as I pop the memory card out of the camera and transfer the images to my computer. Then it’s a couple of hours of pouring over those images deciding which are “good” and which are “bad”…at least from my point of view. What’s funny is that I can never quite bring myself to get rid of any of the images, no matter how bad I think they are. And sometimes, the “mistakes” end up being some of my most interesting work.
Lee,we all need to do thing that makes us happy.
Mike Golchs last blog post..there are days when you….
You’re right about that, Mike. And sometimes I even do stuff that makes Mrs. Rambler happy!
I’m not sure why I so enjoy photography myself as I have no technical skill where it’s concerned, I just like seeing how a picture comes out and, like yourself, sometimes putting a different spin or angle on it.
You take great pictures and I enjoy looking at all of them!
Lindas last blog post..Picture This! A Contest and a Sticky Post!
I would say you have quite a bit of technical skill, Linda. You may not know all of the correct terms, but you seem to have an eye for good photographs. There are a lot of photographers out there that are technically perfect, but their creativity is totally lacking.
You know, I’ve lived in Raleigh all my life for all practical purposes (other than 3 years spent in the army and not quite a year living in Charlotte… oh, and a year and a half that I was too young to remember in Buies Creek) and I never notice that business on the underside of the roof of the Capitol building. Been there dozens of times inside or out, and never saw that detail.
I think my love of photography stems from the fact that it’s almost equal parts art and science. And there are days when I like one part more than the other, but it’s not always the same part. I do know that I can’t imagine going through life without a camera. I don’t even like going through a day without a camera!
Keep ‘em coming Lee. You do phenomenal work!
Mojos last blog post..Here Come the Birthday Elves Again…
Isn’t it funny how we miss details in stuff we’ve seen a million times? I know I’ve become more aware of things after exploring subjects with my camera. I think that’s another element that keeps my interested in photography, because I keep seeing something new to explore with the lens. It also allows me to go back to the same subject, or site repeatedly.
And thank you for the compliment, Mojo. Coming from you, I take it as high praise because you’re no slouch yourself.
You certainly are GOOD at your obsessive passion for photography. I love taking photos of my family. It captures and preserves moments forever. xoxoxox
meleah rebeccahs last blog post..Man I Am Glad That’s Over.
And you do a great job with your photographic record of family events. When I see your shots the first thing I think of is photojournalism and telling stories with pictures, which you do very well. When it comes to putting people in the picture, that’s an area I really need to work on.
I am of the opinion that no photo is bad; there’s always something I can do with it. I can blur it (more?), add oil painting, etc. and incorporate it into my haiku and I always end up with something pleasing and unique.
WillThink4Wines last blog post..I gotta get out more
I think you’re right, WT4W, and that’s why I hardly ever delete photographs from my hard drive. I’ve also created some interesting images by cropping, manipulating and playing with “spoiled” shots that didn’t appeal to me at first view.
I used to go on a photo tour locally and it was so interesting to see the different photos that came out of the tour. We all saw the same scene, but viewed it differently. It was fascinating. My mom is originally from North Carolina. Rocky Mount area. Her family is in Jacksonville and Cary.
Love the column shot!
Jonny’s Mommys last blog post..It sat on my phone! And other weird occurrences
Hi, Jonny’s Mommy, and welcome to Tarheel Ramblings. It really is fun to compare shots with people you’ve shared an outing with. What happens sometimes, though, is I start kicking myself because someone else saw an interesting view that I missed.
I had some photographs that I had taken in Rocky Mount a couple of years ago that I was trying to find last week. There was one shot in particular, of the AmTrack station, that I really wanted to find for a photo competition. Evidently, I did something stupid and I’ve lost those shots, so I’m going to have to make a trip up there to re-shoot the scene.
I have photos at http://www.boondockramblings.com/views_behind_lens/
Jonny’s Mommys last blog post..It sat on my phone! And other weird occurrences
I’ll be checking these out soon.
Photos make a blog so much more interesting, I love looking here because you offer such a wonderful selection and top noch quality!
Deb Youngs last blog post..I Recieved The Premio Dardo Award
Thank you, Deb. I really appreciate your kind comments.
I get pretty excited when I empty the card and I have one that is not blurry. I either need better glasses, a better camera, or camera lessons. We shall see which one arrives first.
I love the stair picture and I love they way you share your view and art with us! Keep up the great work.
Vixens last blog post..WW ~ Just Because
Thanks, Vixen. Check out your local junior college for adult classes in photography, if you’re interested. They are usually fairly inexpensive and you can pick up some good tips. Also, check out local photography clubs. Sometimes they offer free workshops to attract new members.
You are obviously a person who needs a creative outlet. Photography gives you that as well as writing and creating a blog.
Methinks you are quite talented!
dawns last blog post..Got a case of a love bipolar … So What?
Let’s just say I need an outlet, Dawn, and luckily the creative route is working for now!
And thanks for the compliment. You know, now that I think about it, what I need more than a creative outlet are the strokes to me ego which nice people like you are so willing to provide.
By the way, it’s nice to see you visiting.