The Ambilevous Photographer: Maven of Mirrored Photography

"When I looked at things for what they are I was fool enough to persist in my folly and found that each photograph was a mirror of my Self. ~ Minor White ~ "Mirrors, messages, manifestations." by Minor White. Millerton, New York: Aperture, 1969.

The "Ambilevous Photography" Collection is just that: It is mostly a reflection of me. These subjects, as you see them, do not exist in nature. You won't see them outside in your yard, or at work, or in your home. These images were created from within.

I'm sure when you go out and photograph, even if it is a sunset, your kids, ducks, or whatever...you too, take the image from within. It has become a habit for me to formulate, compose and print a photograph in my mind before I ever take my camera out of my camera bag.

Sure, digital-film shooting is cheap; but I, personally, don't take photographs if I can't visualize the outcome before I take them. If the scene does not scream to me, "Take My Photograph!" Then, I usually don't.

Most "self-respecting photographers" don't yell: "Ducks!" and then 'SNAP' - Taking the picture without thought! (You can substitute "Ducks" with trees, birds, wife, etc.). Then again, if your wife yells at you to take her photograph, maybe it is best to take it! Don't need a ruckus because of a photograph.

If you simply don't care about how your photographs turn out; or worse yet, if you don't care about what you photograph, then be my guest, snap away. That would then be like the Mr. Bean shotgun approach to photography!

The Bean video can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUAk6AmfVeI (cut & paste the URL if you want to see it)

For the rest of the story, go on to PART 2!

No disrespect to Mr. Bean, but if you've seen the skit (see the URL above), where he's at the Buckingham Palace courtyard and attempting to get a shot of the guard...then you'll know what I'm talking about.

Just before he tries to set up the decorated-guard shot, he is taking snapshots of just about everything, SNAP, SNAP, SNAP; he's even taking photos of trash that's sitting in the garbage can.

When the guard stamps his feet with a "CLAP," Bean takes notice. He finally sees an interesting photograph in the making.

At that point, he slows down to consider the angle, the light, the position of the camera, the composition, and what he can do to make the image more interesting. He takes the time to MAKE THE SHOT HIS OWN!

He decorates the palace guard with flowers, garland vines, and he even gives the poor guard a mustache trim!

When Bean is finished with all of his considerations and calculations, not to mention his destruction of public property, he then secures the camera, turns the egg timer on, and joins the guard for a nice portrait.

A second before the shutter releases, the changing of the guard alarm goes off, the angry guard moves quickly out of the camera's frame and Bean misses the shot!

POOR BEAN!

There are some things you can learn about photography from this funny episode, and from Mr. Bean:
~ 1 ~ Take some time and find subjects to photograph that you really want to photograph. If Bean had not wasted time on shots he didn't really want, he would have gotten this shot of the guard.

~ 2 ~ It's good to make the shot your own; however, please don't over do the additions to your photographs. Much of the time, there is a great shot to be had with what exists in the frame. Bean spent way too much time adding "extras" to his shot when he should have been concentrating more how to work with what already existed in the scene. A little extra is good; but if in doubt, just remember K.I.S.S. KEEP-IT-SIMPLE-STUPID!

~ 3 ~ Never miss a shot because you set the self-timer on 10-seconds, when 5-seconds will be sufficient. I think Bean set his timer for 50-seconds, which was about 45-seconds too long.

Good Luck and Happy Shooting!