All by Ernesto Ruiz
Inspired by the work in our quarterly gallery, I went to work on this series of photographs. Processing them reminded me that it was an exciting set of images to capture. In this article, I’ll share how I ended up shooting bark on this particular morning, and the equipment and technical approach I used.
When looking for unique images, we often have to rethink our viewpoint; whether by looking closer, in unexpected directions, at details, at what’s under our feet, or in the corner of a reflection. Often though, and luckily for us, the simple act of changing your lens is all it takes to change your entire perspective.
My attraction to waterfalls has intensified significantly since I took on photography, as capturing their magic can prove to be a real and energizing challenge. I’ve taken many waterfall photos that have fallen flat, despite being technically well executed. I have learned that conveying the experience of a waterfall through a still image requires a story-telling attitude and patience.
I am particularly fond of special images captured in less than epic locations. They feel like bigger accomplishments, requiring more attention to your surroundings and heightened attention to details. Which, ultimately, may result in even better photographs than those captured in idyllic or mind-blowing places.
If you love a place, why avoid it simply because others love it as well? Maybe you walk away with a shot that you think is too typical, or maybe something magical happens – but if you practice the principles of valuing the experience first and foremost, you will still have gotten something out of it. Ultimately, whether you’re at a popular location or off the beaten path, it’s all about how you approach it, and what it means to you.
Waiting with crossed fingers for the possibility that Mother Nature will deliver a show is often a good enough reason to stick around. Yet I believe there is another, maybe better reason to practice patience as a photographer, one that presents a good creative challenge. It is the potential to see and frame your subject completely differently, or even find new and unexpected subjects nearby.
It’s hard to say if art shows are truly the best way to share my work, but they are certainly the best way that I have found to create significant connections with my audience. These real world connections make for more meaningful sales and feedback.
Photography sends me to places I otherwise wouldn’t be, at times I once would have found surprising. So maybe, it is possible that some technology, when used carefully, can make us feel more connected to the natural world; the Boundary Waters is the perfect setting to practice reaching that delicate balance.
Upon hearing of Archway Rock’s collapse, I immediately felt a deep sense of gratefulness for being one of the lucky ones who experienced the beach and photographed the arch still standing. It also made me think about the others who visited this place, before time and the forces of nature changed it forever.
I’ve decided to create a platform for those who share a passion for a slow approach, both fellow photographers and the community with which we share our work. I want to build a space that encourages a slow and engaged approach to photography; one that focuses on the quality of the photographic experience in a way that enhances the end result.
