Changing Lenses and Changing Perspectives

I was invited by The Barberville Pioneer Settlement to participate in their Celebration of Old Florida event by demonstrating the traditions of photography. I enjoy these events because it allows me to talk about the 4 x 5 large format view camera and the use of film/analog in today's digital-dominating technology.

I set up the 4 x 5 and made a few selected photographs of passers-by using the film camera exclusively. Not once did I use a digital camera and show the subjects the resulting image on the camera's preview screen.  It didn't pre-visualize the composition using the digital camera — it was all or nothing with the 4 x 5.

What made this event and photo opportunity so memorable, besides meeting a diverse crowd interested in history, was that I decided to create images a little different than my usual approach. Typically, I utilize an environmental portrait approach to create photographs of people. I show the surroundings as they relate to the individual. I was curious to see if I could create meaningful images by focusing on faces.

To do so, I would need to change my lens and work close to the subject's face. This isn't easy to do because the 4 x 5 is intimidating, even when working at a distance. Have a large camera only a few inches from the subject's face feels like a major personal space violation.

I also needed to address the issue of depth-of-field at that close of a distance — there wasn't much. I had to carefully focus on the eyes and hope the subjects remained very still.

By expanding my curiosity to change lenses, it changed my perspective. As all people do, I get comfortable with what I know best, even when there may be a better way. Changing perspectives leads to creativity and thinking something different and that can make all the difference.

A Photo-Motivational Kick

"You enjoy making photographs, don't you? You're a photographer, right? Just hit the road and start shooting." Cindy had to give me a photo-motivational kick in the pants this morning (hey, it happens). I headed north to a place I had heard of, but never visited — Princess Place Preserve in Flagler County.

What I discovered on the property was a 19th-century estate / lodge and Florida's first in-ground swimming pool. The artesian-fed concrete structure was a welcome respite from the 90+ degree summer days.

The lodge was an interesting piece of architecture that utilized cedar and palm tree trunks as columns on the front and back porches with tall windows situated to provide cross-ventilation back in the day. The interior was closed and appears only to be open for tours on certain days.

I spent time photographing various compositions of the porch details and wide-angle views of all the structures. Princess Place is a conservation area providing hiking trails (equestrian, too) and numerous photography opportunities.

My curiosity led my to this place and, though I didn't realize it at first, relieved the stress and lack of motivation I was experiencing in the morning. I was agonizing over problems and the minutiae of issues that I could not resolve. Having a sense of curiosity provided an attitude adjustment and is a good habit to develop to gain new perspectives and possibilities and to just relax.