Wednesday, 4. November 2009 11:12
The defining moment my photography was in the hot, humid East Texas countryside. I was shooting stills on a reenactment for the Sam Houston Documentary. This moment was defining because of visualization.

ƒ/5 at 1/80 sec ISO 200
A shot came into my mind, actually a collection idea. I was inspired by this face above. I saw an entire collection of intimate face portraits, some framed edgy – some plain, like the one above. But the concept was intriguing. Usually we western societies avoid invading personal space, staring at length directly at someone, etc. But there is an intimacy to these actions, a way of transcending silence and conversation to find character. This intimacy is the framing of the collection. A collection of intriguing, interesting characters.

ƒ/5 at 1/30 sec ISO 200
I visualized this shot, the first time that I had actually visualized and photographed. I thought about it, perceived it, acted. These shots have flaws. I regret that they doesn’t have more environmental context; black powder rifles firing behind his shoulder, movement or the like. However, I believe the image conveys the intimacy.
As a growing photographer, I am constantly trying to visualize images. I find this art to be advancing my eye and engaging my awareness.