I don’t follow the rules of photography.
Well, I guess the rules of photography are not really rules. They are more guidelines.
So don’t follow the guidelines of photography. Be like me. And enjoy yourself.
One of the rules of photography – sorry, guidelines – says it’s best to shoot either in the blue hour or the golden hour when the light is better.
I shoot at any time of the day. But not at night, generally. I don’t shoot during the golden hour and I don’t shoot during the blue hour. Well, I don’t make a point of it anyway.
I’m happy to shoot in harsh sunlight. I’ll shoot with the sun over my right shoulder. Over my left shoulder. When it’s in front of me. When it’s behind me. Even when it’s right overhead.
I’m happy to shoot on a dull day. When it’s raining. When it’s cold. Whenever. No matter what the weather. Except when it’s really too s**t to go out!
And I do it any time because I enjoy taking photographs. Photographs of what I see around me. Anywhere I happen to be. Anytime of the day.
One of photography’s many rules says that photographs should tell a story. Or at least ask a question.
I say rubbish. Just take photographs because you can. Because you want to. Because it gives you pleasure.
Don’t follow the rules. Do what you want. When you want.
And don’t follow the rules of post-processing either. That is, if there are any rules for post-processing.
I actually think my photographs do tell stories for the most part.
Like the photo above. An urban landscape, just a short distance from my home.
And the post-processing? Post-processing alters reality. Well, it alters the reality of what the camera captures.
No rule says you must process your photographs to reflect the reality of what you or anyone else saw at the same place.
Post-process your photos to help viewers feel about your photos the way you would like them to feel. I hope that makes sense. It does to me.
I’m waffling again.
These photographs were taken during a cycle ride a few days ago.
They are not photographs of anything spectacular. Not photographs of anything special or different. In fact, most people probably wouldn’t even look twice. Just photographs of what I saw when I was out and about.
With my post-processing I tried to encompass a feeling of lightness and brightness. A dreamy ethereal mood that reflected the day itself. And reflected the way I was feeling that day, as opposed to reflecting the reality of the scene itself.
The camera was just a witness to the scene as I clicked the shutter. The post-processing injects the mood.
Incidentally, the photographs you see were processed in Photolab and Nik Analog Efex – a great combination.
In Analog Efex, the starting point was the Classic Camera 6 preset – with minor tweaks.
( Heads up – DxO has provided the software I use at no cost, and I am a DxO affiliate. So if you use the code RickH15 at the DxO store, you will receive 15% discount on any NEW DxO product purchase, and I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can try before you buy with DxO’s free trial offers.)
In keeping with its name, the Classic Camera 6 preset offers an old-world, nostalgic feel. Retro. Doesn’t work on every photograph. But as I said earlier there are no rules. Or rather, don’t follow the rules of photography.
Actually, the old-time look of the portaloos does work. I didn’t know this, but portaloos were invented in the 1940s. So retro works in this case.
Rust is retro. Or not! But it works for me.
Now you’re probably thinking that I don’t follow the rules of photography because it gives me something to write a story about here. But no – it’s true – I don’t follow the rules of photography. Well, not all the time. Because I don’t have to.
And because, as I say at the bottom of every story on my photoblog – “I believe that everytime I press the shutter I create for myself.“
Not my words. Thanks to photographer David Beckstead for them.