PHOTOGRAPHY WITHOUT CAMERAS

An unlikely premise, I know. However, after many years as a photographer, I am beginning to sense a change in the way I approach photography and also the way I see life.

As a young man, goofing around with my Brownie Hawkeye camera, I would only see what the camera lens had to offer when I was actually in the process of looking into the camera and trying to take a picture. Many years and thousands of images later have led me to a totally different approach to my craft.

Wandering through the swamps, or over mountains or through the cities looking for interesting shots to take, has re-wired the way I look at things, searching for what I consider a well-seen image. I find myself driving along in my car saying to myself, “what a great shot that’d make,” or “look at the wonderful glow rim-lighting that tree!” I’d often think to myself that I wish I had my camera with me. Often I do, but sometimes I don’t.

There is still nothing that quite beats the hunt of the shoot, that is, going out and physically taking the shot and transferring it into an electronic or print image. Yet, the sadness or upset of not having my camera when a perfect moment appears is not quite as painful as it used to be. Now, I AM THE CAMERA and exhilarate in the experience. I find myself looking at most everything as though I’d be framing it in an artistic composition, making split-second, automatic decisions as to whether the light is right, depth of field requirements, etc., all the elements on my checklist as if I actually had my camera in hand. It is a somewhat soothing effect. I wonder if you feel that as well?

Happy Shooting!

you can see some of my images on my website at http://richsmuklerphoto.com