foxgrrl | Julia's Secret Photographic Technique

There is a very simple trick I use for creating beautiful photos:

Take photographs of beautiful things

The only thing you need to practice, is seeing the beauty that is always there around you.

Keep this in mind when you catch me taking your picture.

PART 2: Advanced Technical Photographic Techniques

The reason why my photography looks so much different from everyone else's [photos of the same subject], is because I take pictures of light, not objects.

When I decide to take a photo-graph, it is not because of whatever the object is, but what light I am seeing. (That's also part of why I don't take photos of the exact same thing that fifty other people are shooting at the same time.)

If you think that the light from the object, and the object itself are the same thing, then you probably use an on-camera flash too.

PART 3: Delegation

Don't take a picture of something, just because it's a spectacle. Especially if there are a zillion other people takeing the same photo at the same time — even if you think that you're a much better photographer than them. And most especially if the spectacle that is the same thing that had a thousand photos taken of it yesterday (i.e. fursuiters always in the exact same poses).

PART 4: Giving A Photo

I really hate the term Taking a picture or Taking a photo because it implies that you're taking away, or removing something; Leaving a void or depression, removing a soul, Taking advantage of, etc.

I prefer to think of what I'm doing as Giving a photo, because you create something for someone. For example, many people do not have good photos of themselves, until I come along and give one to them; I don't take their photo away from them.

This is also partially why I release all of my photos into the Public Domain, or the Creative Commons.

[And being grammatically pedantic, pretend that the words object and subject are interchangeable synonyms here.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Thanks very much for these words! Coming from a photographic family myself, it's nice to hear the more philosophical side of things for a change! (My step-dad loved telling the story of me, the first time he let me help out in the darkroom when I was about 5, that I said afterward "I don't think I'm a darkroom kind of guy." Things changed eventually...though I'm no better a photographer now than I was then!)

Speaking of the photos of people--you did one of me at PantheaCon last year, if I recall correctly. Did it come out well, and if so, can I see it? (I don't recall you ever having done so, but I may be mistaken...)

Rule 1 made me smile. So true.

it looks like we share similar philosophies on photography.

i really love your photos. they are truly stunning.

That was beautiful, thanks for posting that.

I like Rule #2, I rarely think of it this way. I guess this is why I need a better camera that can adjust the shutter time :P. Trying to capture night scenery has always been difficult for me.

Rule #1 is a given, although I guess not everyone realise it. But then, I guess not everyone is an artist ;-)

Quite an enjoyable post.

"There is a very simple trick I use for creating beautiful photos:

Take photographs of beautiful things

The only thing you need to practice, is seeing the beauty that is always there around you.

Keep this in mind when you catch me taking your picture."

*HUGS* Thank you so much!!!! I was one those people who seldom photographs well, because I could never figure out how to smile correctly on cue. I always looked I was going to be sick - until you took a picture of me. My hair was messed up, I hadn't slept for two days, I needed a bath, and I was wearing the same outfit for the third day in a row.

Yet the picture you took of me was one of the best someone has ever taken. And I've learned how to smile for pictures now.

What a lovely mood in which to be yourself.

Love your comments on photo-graphs. Light is one of the most striking things about painting and portraiture also. A friend used to photograph me a lot. Among his many cameras was an early 20th century thing he used to take polaroids - often making polaroid transfers. I would have to sit very still and he would use a flashlight to paint light into the pictures. They were beautiful. He is a super cool artist and fellow. He made a pair of pants with tie dye that have cameras all over them. I've kept them forever hoping they'll one day fit me, but if they fit you & you like them... they're yours. I'll bring them next time we meet.

I agree with your semantic adjustment of "giving" a photo. Especially in your case.

And HA HA HA HA!!!! Your vehement and ongoing crusade against on-camera flashes cracks me up whenever it rears it's fiery head. :-) *raises fist in solidarity* :-)

You are beautiful and this post (as yours always are) is beautiful. You are an extraordinary person.

1: I try to think of ways to photograph more mundane and boring subjects, we're not always given sunsets and waterfalls to photograph. Just a way of forcing you to actually look at something.

2: Light the palette! My uncle complained to me that nobody seemed to be able to take good pictures of his horses. I took a look... every one in mid-day sunlight. Perfect time? 6:00 am, sunrise, dew, mist, BOOM!!!

3: Oh gods the "fursuit" pose! Arms wide to hug with a splayed stance, tah-dah! Gods help me if I ever see it again (and I know I will)

4: The great satisfaction I get as a nature photographer is in bringing these scenes to people who are stuck in urban environments. I'm giving them a piece of something otherwise out of their grasp.

Point #1 made me snicker. It was one of those "well duh" moments.

I remember my Dad making all kinds of comments about the light either being right or not being right when it came to taking photos. And in thinking about how I do, even though it is primarily of things, it's more how the light plays off them and around them. I've gotten some cool images that way...

I'm not sure we can entirely verify that there's an "object" in the first place.

I remain in awe of your ability.

I understand your methods, yet do not employ them mainly due to laziness. It does take effort to follow your rules, and I frequently follow the easy path instead.

Still, I always look forward to seeing more from you.

Hey Julia,

I've been keeping an eye out to see if you posted the pictures from the Halloween party yet. I'm dying to see all the photos you took of me in my Marie Antoinette costume. I always love seeing myself through someone else's eyes.

Thanks!

Saavedra (Laura)

Julia's Secret Photographic Technique

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Speaking of Beautiful Pictures..