Bruce Barnbaum

PHOTOSNACK #697

I regularly contact photographers previously featured on PHOTOSNACK and ask them to send me their spontaneous thoughts, observations, reflections, or advice.

Today, I am sharing the message I received from Bruce Barnbaum.

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Bruce Barnbaum

Stop, Look, Evaluate, and Think

If you're out “in the field” with a camera in hand, and you’re photographing, it’s a good idea to periodically stop, look around, and see if you’ve been concentrating on one thing to the exclusion of other options, and take a few minutes to consider those other options.

For example, I may be walking along a beautiful forested trail, concentrating on photographs of trees within the forest, particularly the relationships of those nearest me to those farther away, and to those still farther away. But I may be ignoring the wonderful foliage growing alongside the trail, the flowers blooming just off to the side, or the fascinating mushrooms on dead logs or snags. They may be as interesting—perhaps even more so—than the forest trees, but I’m fixated on the trees, and don’t give those other possibilities a thought.

As a photographer, I try to prevent myself from getting fixated on one idea to the exclusion of others.

As a workshop instructor, I regularly witness students becoming fixated on one thing, ignoring other possibilities. I try to extricate them from that trap. It’s a common trap, especially if you think you're producing one wonderful image after another. But forcing yourself to stop for a moment, evaluate what you’re doing, and see if other options may be equally interesting, perhaps even more interesting, is a useful thing to put into practice regularly.

I try to put that thinking into practice whenever I’m out photographing.
I recommend others do it, as well.

Bruce Barnbaum was featured in PHOTOSNACK #624.

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Through Sunday Editions, I occasionally connect you with photographers whose work you previously explored through PHOTOSNACK.

I want to reveal some authentic parts of the people behind the cameras. I don't ask them any specific questions. I ask them to share whatever comes to mind when they think about YOU, the newsletter readers. It makes their responses genuine and personal.

Until next time,
Tomasz