September 11, 2008.......................................................................HOME.......... ..........................................................."Minding Your Muse"
Lorem
Lorem
Technical Data
Camera: Nikon D60
Lens: Nikon 10.5mm f/2.8
Capture: NEF
Metering: Matrix
Release Mode: Aperture
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/400
Aperture: f/10
Muse |myoōz| |mjuːz| |mjuz|
noun
(in Greek and Roman mythology) each of nine goddesses, the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who preside over the arts and sciences.
• (muse) a woman, or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.
I’ve written before about the challenge of finding great subjects for photographs. As an obstacle never completely mastered, I figure it’s worthy of space as often as I can rethink it.
THE NINE MUSES
Calliope (epic poetry), Clio (history), Erato (lyric and love poetry), Euterpe (music), Melpomene (tragedy), Polyhymnia (sacred song and oratory), Terpsichore (dance and choral song), Thalia (comedy), Urania (astronomy)
I’m not sure that all inspiration can be attributed to these nine classically described muses (despite the fact that if you saw the work of mine that never makes it into Photoshop you’d be convinced that Melpomene (tragedy) or Thalia (comedy) had a hand in it). I’ve thought a lot about my inspiration, and if I could figure out how to make it happen on demand, I’d bottle or patent it. But to date that hasn’t happened, so I simply try to recognize when my muse is calling. If only I could get her in my iPhone favorites directory...
When the nine classical muses where drafted, undoubtedly eons ago B.C. (before camera), the author would have been excused for failing to name a photography muse. But since she has whispered in the ear of almost everyone who is serious about photography, “Just for the heck of it, why don’t you try that panning shot at 1/30th of a second too, before you quit?”, I think it’s high time we knew her name. ( She just said she likes my blog and it’s OK to mention her here )
Digiaphelia is the muse of digital photography.
If Digiaphelia has a downside, it’s that she can be shy. Sometimes her attempt to put a bug in your ear can be so subtle you’re almost sure to miss it. Sensing her efforts on those days you’d have to be in the mood to be on her wavelength. Busy with work deadlines or caught up in your own drama and it’s no wonder why her messages go right over your head.
But other days, she will get your attention in no uncertain terms. You only need to realize it’s her and take heed. Each time you do, and are rewarded with a great image, it’s that much easier to hear and take her advice to heart when next offered.
Digia, her nickname, can be heavy handed. But you’ll see in a moment why she has to be. How many times have you been driving along, and suddenly had your head whip around to look at something interesting? Who can say what it might have been, a beautiful face, unusual building, or something as simple as a sunbeam falling on a meadow during an otherwise bleak day. But your head snapped to look at it before you even realized you were looking. Why? Digia, of course. She grabbed your chin and made you look. She makes people do this all day long, but most don’t stop, go back, and investigate what she so graciously pointed out. Sometimes the head snaps are a little aggressive, but you’d get antsy too if so few people took notice. She and I are on terms most days anymore, and if she turns my head, I’m all about slowing down and making sure I explore what may be an opportunity.
Not quite a stalker, Digia does have a way of worming her way into some private places. Know that dreamy transition between sleep and getting out of bed? Yep, she really knows no boundaries. Remember the morning that spawned “photoemotionalism” a few months back? Her fingerprints are all over that. Other mornings she has literally made me see an image in my minds eye, designing a shot she’d like to see me make of an upcoming event, which of course she knew I’d be attending.
Like any woman (muses are female, I didn’t make that part up), she can get under your skin. Literally. When it happens pulses race and palms get sweaty. Stomachs may even flip-flop with butterflies as an impending sense of “don’t let this moment get away” kicks in. And ladies, don’t be shocked, but Digia goes both ways. She’s totally open to rocking your world too.
This blog post is just one of those moments. I was in Iowa City, Iowa for a family reunion. My older brother, a fledgling pilot, had flown in with another pilot in his small private plane. My younger son, Evan, had yet to experience small plane flight. Pilots love to share the sky, so an invitation for a flyover of the town was a no brainer. I immediately thought of taking some aerial shots and asked the pilot if there were any windows that opened, so I could get a clean line of sight. To my chagrin, the answer was no. But Digia whispered in my ear, “Don’t be discouraged. Take your camera anyway.”
As we drove onto the tarmac where the planes were parked, out of the sky and onto the runway swoops an antique biplane with deep green fuselage, yellow wings, and open cockpits, the stuff of aeronautical legend. About the time my eyes sensed the sunlight gleaming off the wings, Digia went to work. Yep, the pulse thing, the sweaty palms, the realization that I had to photograph from that plane as it wound its way across the sky. I was smitten, as Digiaphelia knew I would be.
Now take note intrepid reader, as this is the moment that separates the pros and prosumers from the consumers. This is where the ball gets dropped and 99% of shooters drive home thinking, “If only I could have gotten a ride in that plane. THAT was a picture in the making.”
My party was boarding my friend’s small place for their ride. I was literally on the wing getting in, but looking over my shoulder, lusting after the biplane. Firmly in Digia’s “don’t let the moment get away” grasp, I said, “Give me a minute!” and jumped down from the wing. The biplane pilot was just beginning to refuel as he saw me approach with a big smile on my face. “That is one beautiful airplane”, I exclaimed as I extended my hand. As we shared introductions I explained that I was a photographer and would love to photograph him flying his plane. One lap around the airfield was all it would take.
I told you pilots love to share the sky, and Larry was no exception. Not only did he agree to give me a spin, he was gracious enough to wait twenty minutes until the ride with my family was over. For a long twenty minutes all I could think about was the excitement of shooting from an open cockpit, exposed to the sky. Since I would be in the front passenger cockpit, I decided I’d sit backwards and face the pilot behind me. That’s where the shot was going to be, I knew. But when the pilot said he was not comfortable having me backwards, I was determined not to let that derail me.
“Inspiration Digiaphelia, and be quick! He’s taxiing to the runway!”
I had already known enough to realize that the short space between cockpits demanded a really wide angle to squeeze all the necessary subject into the frame. A Nikon 10.5 mm, that specialty lens you always wondered if you really needed, was just the ticket. Being a Nikon shooter herself, Digia knew that the amazing depth of field and wide angle of view would be so forgiving that looking through the viewfinder was almost optional. “Hold the camera backwards, up over your head and shoot, shoot, shoot. Vary the angle and position and don’t stop until the plane lands.” At least that’s my best recollection of what she said. The engine is pretty loud in an open cockpit when you’re five feet behind the propeller.
When you learn to listen to your muse, magic happens.
One lap around the field turned into a full lap over the city because Larry just loves to fly.
Like I love to shoot.
Check out a few other shots from the ride at http://www.imagema.com/biplane
.
.
Mark Alberhasky is a Nikon Mentor for the Mentor Series Worldwide Photo Treks.
Join him as he travels and share his enthusiasm for photography and learning.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus lacusnunc, nolor HOME