“It is a truism that the more skillful the photograph, the more invisible the art of creation. If the photographer had done a competent job, his insights become so lucid, universal and accessible that they seem to belong to the observer of his work. What follows, then, is the assumption that the viewer could have produced the work. This, in spite of all evidence to the contrary, is why the myth endures that the photographer merely pulls out a picture as a dentist extracts a tooth.”
ZONE VI NEWSLETTER by Fred Picker, Number 45, December, 1985, p.8
I believe that people think I must spend most of my time building and testing. It is true that I do spend time in my shop building and modifying equipment. I spend a lot of time in the darkroom testing and experimenting with the photographic process. But believe me, I only do what is necessary to make my images say what I want. It is about finding what works, and making it work the way I want. I like to think of the technique as being transparent. I do not want the process to get in the way when I am out working. I want to concentrate, without distraction, as much of my working time as possible on my subject. I do not want to be distracted with the process.
We have had very few malfunctions on the road with the equipment. I attribute that to being aware, and up to date with keeping everything in proper operating condition well before we head out. Most problems we have had in the field are minor, mostly adjustment related and are taken care of once we return home. We do spend a lot of time in preparation for a long photography trip. Details are worked out well before we leave. Everything from a detailed calendar, hotel reservations, cleaning and testing equipment, loading film holders, even down to a packing check list. But that is all part of good planning.
This is what must be done before hand to help insure your creativity once in the field. You have to get all of the technical stuff out of the way. That is where you start. Learn the process. . . make it your own and do not let it get in the way of your creativity. Get all of the logistics organized and out of the way. Your technique should be as transparent as possible.
JB
NOTE: If you have a set of the ZONE VI NEWSLETTER by Fred Picker, read Number 45, December, 1985, for an interesting discussion of the art of photography. Also, I have an index available for download. Follow this LINK to our Articles area, scroll down the page and look for the “COMPLETE ZONE VI NEWSLETTER INDEX ISSUES #1 THROUGH #83.”