Many of you may have seen this image of the Grey Heron landing (walking) quite a few times.
Over the course of 15 years he has accumulated more than a million Likes and many, many Comments all over the world.
The (personal) contribution I want to make for the developing photographer is that it is not always about the Likes when making an image – it’s not about the stimulus and response in terms of take image (stimulus) and get rewarded via Likes (response) i.e. perceived 'beauty' or quality of the image etc.
What matters is what happens in the moment you take the image, your own satisfaction (as an impermanent and special moment) captured with purpose with your camera / phone. The (existential) story that an image portray (and sharing) is in my opinion more important than the Likes. Although Likes are generous attempts to support your image-making – and I suppose most photographers will experience gratitude in Likes and Comments. I’m not saying Likes / Comments are not required / or not necessary.
Also, the camera / lens you use is not always that important. The image of the grey heron was captured 15 years ago with an entry-level DSLR and a 1st generation 70-300mm lens. What counted in my favour was that I happened to look behind me and saw the bird. At that very moment I was only zoomed to 167mm, but I took the image. The image is not of any high resolution or quality, but it did not matter. I enjoyed the moment and after a few weeks placed it online.
The response was overwhelming – what I enjoyed most was all the comments from all over the world. It’s still getting responses in Likes and Comments and I’m grateful for it. But it was not about chasing Likes, it was published as purpose for existential freedom (the bird) and impermanence of the frame (bird or you will be gone in a minute or so) with old-school authenticity of a minimalist approach of editing and change.
Bottom-line is that you do not have to own the latest gear to tell your story through image-making. It’s about your enjoyment, purpose and interconnectedness with light and nature to name a few soul-satisfying values when you're enjoying the moment(s).
Image: Grey Heron at Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island
Copyright: Vernon Chalmers Photography
The response was overwhelming – what I enjoyed most was all the comments from all over the world. It’s still getting responses in Likes and Comments and I’m grateful for it. But it was not about chasing Likes, it was published as purpose for existential freedom (the bird) and impermanence of the frame (bird or you will be gone in a minute or so) with old-school authenticity of a minimalist approach of editing and change.
Bottom-line is that you do not have to own the latest gear to tell your story through image-making. It’s about your enjoyment, purpose and interconnectedness with light and nature to name a few soul-satisfying values when you're enjoying the moment(s).
Image: Grey Heron at Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island
Copyright: Vernon Chalmers Photography