On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 8:08 AM, Ken Norton <ken@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> The point is, if your mindset is totally focused on getting a picture like
> "Yosemite Valley - Clearing Storm" you will be severely disappointed with
> anything that "flyover country" has to offer. But if you open your eyes and
> your minds to the possibilities that exist smack dab in front of you then
> you just might find satisfaction.
I agree, of course, but I forgive those whose minds are closed to
anything but five-star venues. Moose's attitude is not peculiar to
him. It's a species of provincialism that affects almost everyone in
one form or another. It seems like a kind of geographic bigotry --
and it is in kind, though the word is too strong for the degree of the
offense. And we all engage in it at one time or another. Montanans I
discovered look down on North Dakotans. Wow. Who knew? NoCal looks
down on SoCal. It's fairly harmless -- a kind of petty bigotry.
I wouldn't like to create a "scenic overlook" expectation for anywhere
in the Midwest. I do love many, many places here, but so many are off
the beaten trails and, to my mind, are completely dependent upon the
quality of the light. But I tend to follow the good light rather than
try to find things which are intrinsically interesting to photograph.
This takes some dedication and one can't be expected always to be
successful just by showing up with lenses at f8. I have been to more
than my fair share of scenic wonders west of the Mississippi and they
are all a snooze to me if the light is not interesting. Even the
Grand Canyon can be a bore. I sometimes take photos under those
circumstances, but they are no more than a record that I was there.
My brother is a what I consider a fine photographer -- and obviously
comes from the same DNA as me. He loads up with Velvia and drives to
the Five Star locations to shoot and puts his cameras away when he
gets home. It's hard enough work to get to the "good" places.
Finding how the light makes love to your own humble geography takes
more commitment than can be expected of most locals, let alone a
stranger. I can work a back road and feel comfortable, but many
people might not, nor would I be apt to be different myself as a guest
in a strange place.
I think I must be more of a street photographer, it's just my streets
are gravel roads.
Joel W.
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