Officer Jensen

Umbrella Girl

If you need or want to recharge your photographic enthusiasm for nature photography, this book can do it. The work of David and his son Marc is excellent. Use of both view cameras and 35mm is included and the quality of the images is the best there is. If you need an excuse to get out and practice the art of fine photography, this one will inspire you. If you are looking for excuses as to why you can't do good landscape work, such as "I don't have a large format camera", then don't look at this one. It has a nice section in the back detailing the cameras, films and lenses used for each image. You will see both large format and 35mm used. No excuses and no apologies, just images that are stunningly presented and impeccably seen.

So, if color landscape and nature is of even passing interest to you, get this one. The images of both David and his son Marc are excellent. If you want to see the state of nature photography on the high end, be sure to spend time with this book. If it doesn't inspire you than maybe you should take up another hobby or profession.

Speaking of taking up another hobby or profession... do you really enjoy your efforts in photography?

Stopped by a friends new studio a few weeks ago. A clean and pleasant one with images done well and presented in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere. He is doing weddings and portraits and business is picking up. His prices are good and he is having a ball doing what he likes. The afternoon I was there he was heading out for an evening location portrait and then was packing it in the 4x4 to get to Yellowstone to photograph elk at sunrise the next morning. He does a lot of wildlife and nature work and does a nice job of it. It sells well, though with over 100 weddings this year he has been spending more time with people photography. Especially outdoor location images.

He has found the experience photographing wildlife serves him well when working with people outdoors. He has also found he really enjoys creating good images of people. At the same time, he takes off whenever possible to photograph wildlife. Be it butterflies in his backyard or owl and otters in Yellowstone, he hasn't lost the wonder he finds in creating nice images.

Contrast him with two of the biggest portrait & wedding photographers in his area. They constantly enter the portrait contests with their studio work . They win ribbons and market based on this. The work many customers get is based on this though the images too many get isn't up to the contest winners the photographers show to get them in the door. Once the shooting day is over they put the cameras away and don't touch them until the next paying job shows up. No fun and no enjoyment. If it isn't business related they don't touch a camera. They both think friend #1 is nuts for photographing late into the evening on location with a young couple and then driving to Yellowstone to freeze half to death while photographing elk.

Somehow they have lost the enjoyment many of us find in photography.

Now, when you do look at the book by David and Marc Muench, ask yourself is these images can come from photographers who look at this simply as a way to make a living?

No. These come from photographers who love what they are doing. Photographers who are not afraid to take a chance. Yes, they follow the 'rules' but at the same time are not afraid to push the envelope. Photographers who know that to get good images one has to master the craft while at the same time find enjoyment in what they are doing. If you don't enjoy it, why are you doing it?

Photography isn't the easiest way to make a living. Yes, we all know the local hack who takes pictures and makes a living at it. They aren't very good, but they show faces. The basics are there. People pay for them. Some of these photogs are even pretty good.

But...

they are no Karsh, no Muench, no Eisenstaedt, no Sexton.

In many cases they don't even like what they are doing. They got into photography for some reasons they don't even remember. They get into a safe routine and it makes money. After all, it sells so they must be good???!!! Right? Sure, and if you believe that then you also think the Elvis on black velvet stuff is art.

Even if you are not a pro, you can be an excellent photographer. You can put out work to match the quality of your heroes. Not their work, your work. But of the quality that they would admire. Professional, on one level, means simply that you sell images. On a much higher level you look at the work of Muench of Santa Barbara, Sexton of Carmel and Eisenstaedt of LIFE and you see pure professionalism in all its glory. Photographers, artists, who work because they love it and have found a way to make their passion pay. Photographers who go out to take photos even when they don't have to.

Is there any doubt that Alfred Eisenstaedt could have lived well as he aged even if he never picked up a camera again? Is there any doubt David Muench could do the speaking and workshop circuit and live on what he has done to this point? That John Sexton could have an assistant print what he has already done while he vacations in Tahiti? All of the finest get to a point where they could rest & quit if they wanted. But, from a Pete Turner to May Maisel to David Muench, they are having fun and don't want to quit. They like the challenge and really, truly like what they are doing. Even when it doesn't turn out. They have never lost the fun of photography.

For some it is a need and for others therapy. For you and I it may be something different. But, no matter what, it isn't drudgery and business and a daily grind. If it gets to that point you might as well take up watching television and reading romance novels. Whether the challenge of creating an excellent portrait, a beautiful wedding, a beautiful sunset or great shot of Marhall Faulk bursting downfield for a touchdown, it should be enjoyable. Difficult at times, yes. But definitely worth the effort. Personally worth it. Whatever field of photography you find yourself in, look at the work of those who are at the top and you will find they enjoy it still. When they lose that joy the images show it. They become repetitive and lose that spark. The photographer loses their interest and the images suffer.

The old question comes up again: "Are we having fun yet"?

When your results show your soul, your character, your passion, the answer is simple. Yes.

Whether in the studio under controlled conditions or shooting breaking news, if you really enjoy it your images will show it. Whether you will become another Eugene Smith or David Muench isn't the question. It is whether you keep up your interest in the daily grind of photographing the 'grip & grins' or the stock photo. If you can't keep up your interest you are simply pushing the shutter. Whether you have the latest auto or computer driven camera doesn't matter at all. It is how you use it. It is how you use it to express your vision. After all, people look at your results. They are laid out for all to see, critique, comment on and say "I could have done that". So, take a look at David and Marcs newest book and see if you really could 'have done that'. Then, if you are really interested in this stuff & really enjoy it, go out and do it your way.

Do the evening portrait & then drive to Yellowstone to stand in the snow at sunrise while photographing bull elk gathering a harem. Stand on ice while photographing otters or tundra swans or the early morning light on frost covered aspens. Go to your local High School or Pop Warner league & take great football photos. Capture the smile and joy of a child playing in a summer rainstorm.

I have said it before and it never changes. Photography is fun and if you aren't having any it is time to renew your interest or change you hobby. That or watch television and vegetate. Quit shooting the same old stuff and push a bit. Challenge yourself. Give yourself an assignment and complete it. But above all, try to enjoy yourself. Get back that wonder that got you into this in the first place. Look at the work of the finest & enjoy it for what it is whether you will ever photograph like that or not. And few of us will ever photograph like a Muench or Turner or Sexton, but we can sure enjoy what we are doing as we find our own way.

ATTACHED IMAGES

Image #2. Umbrella girl. It finally rained after two months of no moisture. This neighbor was out playing in the rain & I grabbed the camera and from across the street, started taking pictures. This one will be in a show "Faces of Utah" to show in the Brigham City Museum Gallery in Nov/Dec 2000. Faces are an ongoing project with me. One I will never finish and add to sporadically as I find people who are cooperative. From the earlier "friendly staff at the Grouse Creek mall" to this one to what presents itself next, faces are taken as the opportunity arises. A lot of nice folks out there & with a camera I can capture a few on film. It is also nice to visit with and meet them as I get permission to take the photos, either before or after.

Nikon F3 with 600 f/4. Ilford Delta 400 developed in Xtol.