Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Prepared

Young Couple, Paris Bakery, Auburn, Alabama  © Doug Hickok


Occasionally I scold myself for not having my camera ready, not thinking spontaneously enough, or not refining a composition a step or two further. My style of taking photos can be euphemistically described as "slow" or "meditative". What's more, you could say, the reason I don't shoot much fast action photography is because I excel at the "indecisive moment".

Nevertheless, with this impromptu image of my daughter and her boyfriend, made on our recent trip to Auburn, I was better prepared for spontaneity. Instead of making a straight forward portrait of the two sitting together, I made a quick refined image, framing only their mirrored shoulders and their green hues. I think this photo illustrates nicely the nonchalance of the moment.

Being prepared with a heightened sense of awareness enabled me to seize the opportunity as it occurred.

Now, if only I could be this prepared for the unexpected in other aspects of my life... like remembering to keep rolls of duct tape in my pockets in case my flip flops broke, or my tie ripped, or most dreaded of all, in case the bridge of my glasses snapped in two. Words of advice for preparation... duct tape, never leave home without it.


23 comments:

  1. Lovely Lovely image. Love how you did this one .
    I think there are a few of us or I add myself to how you view and take photos. Im the same. Glad Im not alone.
    Duck Tape is a girls best friend.

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  2. interesting abstact, in frame and colors

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  3. Good. Very good. And your daughter has a wonderful braid.

    I've got the cakes to go with this photo today.

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  4. i love this image. you've caught such a complex moment. they are so close and yet appear to be turned away from each other from the neck up. such a beautiful portrait, so full of story. does your daughter love it?

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  5. Great shot Doug! So wonderful that you were ready for it! and yes duct tape is a must!

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  6. Your composition makes me smile. Very nice and creativ!

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  7. cool framing and play with the green

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  8. Очень красиво! Это полное единение!

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  9. This is a cool shot. I like it because it can tell a bunch of different stories. It's one of those shots than can provoke imagination.

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  10. That's a great atypical portrait. You captured the moment very well :)
    Your remarks about duct tape made me smile :)
    I use my iPhone to capture spontaneous moments of life...

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  11. cool portrait, did they color coordinate for the day?

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  12. Wearing green in Auburn?
    To the locals, this is a fashion faux pas. ;^)
    Ha! Wear orange!

    Nevertheless, this is a great portrait!
    Interesting yet mysterious.
    Hey, but we have met your whole family members before, right?
    Haven't I seen some oversized Smurfs or Avatars on your site before?

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  13. I love that idea of the "indecisive moment", Doug! What an intriguing image this is with the colours and details, and for what it doesn't show...

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  14. Didn't need any duct tape here. What a wonderful use of color. Very dynamic and captivating!

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  15. I love this image - it's incredibly beautiful and filled with tenderness and warmth. Your composition is excellent and I like the different hues of green in it a lot. I think your daughter and her boyfriend will love this wonderful image - brilliant work!

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  16. I love this image Doug--very creative and you're right, it speaks volumes by showing less. Fantastic work!

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  17. Doug both u r photos n u r writings are amazing
    duct tape i'll keep it in my mind :)

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  18. what a brilliant idea behind this captivating shot, doug! (if it is any consolation to you - you're not the only one afflicted with the "spontaneity problem" ... :))

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  19. I love "portraits" without faces, they often reveal more about the people in the image than expected.

    A great image Doug...and do keep on with the meditative approach...I love it.

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  20. lol, you can never be too prepared.. ;) i really like how you framed them both like this.. excellent shot! ;)

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