JRMCCURDIEPHOTOGRAPHY . COM | FACEBOOK JR MCCURDIE ’ S PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE WEST
What ’ s my favorite image ? Well , I always hope my favorite image will be the one that I will see with the next import ; I am always looking to do better today than yesterday . Right now , my favorite is the above image of the False Kiva from Canyonlands National Park taken on June 2 , 2016 . I had seen photos from this place , but I had always wanted to take my own . As with most good photos there is always a story . This particular location is not on any maps and is accessed by a rather perilous trail ( especially if you fear heights like me ). Two of us found the trail and did it in the afternoon . Prime Milky Way time was not until about 2:00 am . We returned after sunset and had to hike in and out in the dark . Perhaps not the smartest thing to do , but you do what is necessary to get the shot .
What do I look for in an image ? In my images I don ’ t want people to see one thing . I want them to see several things . I want them to wonder about the things they are not seeing . Why is that person looking out of frame ? What is in their hand ? How did he get that angle ? When and where was that ?
What inspires me ? Many things inspire me , but my biggest inspiration is the zest for life . We are surrounded by beauty and many of us never take the time to really appreciate it . Life can be cut short any time , as a motorcycle enthusiast I think about this , and we need to not just look , but to see .
My advice for future photographers is to find a subject that interests you and learn all you can about it . Understand composition , because it is an important building block of any good photo . Join a camera club where you can learn from others . Ask other photographers how they do what they do . Some may not answer . I believe that if I teach what I do to someone else it will only push me to be better . Follow some photographers that you like , but don ’ t try to be them . Develop your own style . Realize that you will take many bad pictures to get one good one . Learn from the bad ones . Know that your best picture today will most likely not even be close in a few years . Don ’ t try to be everything . Find your niche and the rest will come .
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