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digital photography explored

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Archive for May, 2007

May
17

Brian Auer answers to “What photography is/means to you”

A MarquesPhotography, Projects

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Some days ago I’ve introduced a project of mine where I get photographers to answer the question “What photography is/means to you?”. Surely this is a question that has crossed our minds at one moment or other. Coming from a photographer, the answer gains a bigger importance as he will be defining a portion of himself.

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To start my series I’ve chosen a person that some of you will know from the web, namely from his blog Epic Edits Weblog. Besides the great quality content he has been publishing lately, he has also an online gallery where his work can be admired (and aquired).

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Brian Auer

what photography is/means to you?

Dark Skies by Brian Auer

Before I answer these questions, here’s a little background on myself. I’m not a professional photographer, nor am I an amateur. I don’t make a living from photography, but I’ve made more than nothing. I’m not an artist, a photojournalist, a stock photographer, a fashion photographer, or a product photographer. What am I then? I’m just like most people with a camera — I love taking photos just for the sake of taking photos. What I do with those photos doesn’t define who I am as a photographer, and my skill level as a photographer doesn’t define what photography means to me.When I first saw the question “What Photography Is/Means To You?”, I was thinking of it as a single question. The more I thought about it, the more it started looking like two different questions. So for me, the most logical way to answer them in the order of “What It Is To Me” followed by “What It Means To Me”.

What Photography Is To Me

Photography is a form of art, and it’s a very subjective topic — which is why I like it so much. I consider most photos to be art (in one way or another), but I also consider the act of photography to be an art. The photographer must decide how to balance the technical and artistic aspects of each photo being taken. In this form of art there’s no right or wrong, just different.

What Photography Means To Me

For me, photography is a means of expression; a way for me to express my artistic side through technology. I’m an engineer, and a very technical person, so I’m fascinated by the camera and all its technical aspects.

Although I’m technical in nature, I’ve always had the need to express myself in non-technical ways. Photography just happens to be my perfect fit.

Photography is also a means of capturing the moment. I have thousands and thousands of photos of my wife and kids, and I wouldn’t trade any of them for anything. I don’t have the best memory in the world, but when I go back through my old photos, it’s like I’m there again. A whole section of time surrounding that photo suddenly comes back to me in total clarity — it’s wonderful.

So what does photography mean to me? More than I can express with words.

Brian Auer is a photography enthusiast/hobbyist who has been involved with the medium for approximately four years. He writes about his experience in photography at the Epic Edits Weblog, and his print-sales gallery is located at Auer Photoworks.

Want to comment or ask something to Brian? Go ahead and use the comments form bellow. I’ll make sure he’ll get any questions addressed. Willing to participate? Check the original post.

May
17

Web Shutter: 17.05.2007

A MarquesPick of the Week: Link Edition
  • Some days ago I came across a very interesting site: The Old Picture. In here you can browse through more than 80,000 photos taken sometime between 1850 and 1940. Besides all the historical value, something that really impressed me was the quality of some some of this material. If you want to revisit some of the defining moments in history, this is the place for you.
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  • On more contemporary news, Thomas Hawk at Thomas Hawk’s Digital Connection reports on the departure of Derek and Heather Powazek from JPG Magazine. This is indeed a sad moment for the photography publishing media and should be followed closely.

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May
17

Photo Competition: Environmental Photographer of the Year 2007

A MarquesPhoto Competitions, Photography

The Photo Competition for the Environmental Photographer of the Year 2007 is open and waiting for your entries.

W.E. Day 2006 by Mornby

Similarly to the last three years, the CIWEM (The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management) is hosting the competition.

Deadline: 31st of August 2007

Categories:

1. Social Environment
2. Urban Environment
3. Changing Climates
4. Technology and Innovation in the Environment
5. Conservation and Biodiversity
6. Arts and/in the Environment

If you are an environmental photographer, or have any good work on any of the categories, this is a good opportunity to show it.

Read more about it in the Environmental Photographer of the Year 2007 site.