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.


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23 comments:

  1. Lisa July 26, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    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. fabrizioJuly 26, 2011 at 1:34 AM

    interesting abstact, in frame and colors

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  3. cieldequimperJuly 26, 2011 at 2:21 AM

    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. AnonymousJuly 26, 2011 at 4:00 AM

    Nice one Doug!

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  5. OlaJuly 26, 2011 at 4:05 AM

    very nice!

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  6. SabrinaJuly 26, 2011 at 5:16 AM

    uno scatto bellissimo doug!

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  7. brattcatJuly 26, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    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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  8. Luis GomezJuly 26, 2011 at 8:53 AM

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

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  9. FrankJuly 26, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    Your composition makes me smile. Very nice and creativ!

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  10. yzJuly 26, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    cool framing and play with the green

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  11. mariJuly 26, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Очень красиво! Это полное единение!

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  12. A.BarlowJuly 26, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    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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  13. FriedaJuly 26, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    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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  14. OKJuly 26, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    cool portrait, did they color coordinate for the day?

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  15. London CallerJuly 26, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    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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  16. Andrew Graeme GouldJuly 26, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    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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  17. Mike BlanchardJuly 26, 2011 at 11:28 PM

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

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  18. Martina EgliJuly 27, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    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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  19. ChristopherJuly 27, 2011 at 11:04 AM

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

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  20. AnonymousJuly 27, 2011 at 11:50 AM

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

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  21. franzJuly 27, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    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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  22. georgeAugust 1, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    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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  23. rianAugust 1, 2011 at 11:01 PM

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

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