Thursday, April 24, 2008

The "Whatsername Effect"...

...is something that has affected the way I look at photography.

Ages ago -- when she had a journal in another space, my adopted daughter began posting photos. Most of them had very simple subjects made more interesting by her point of view and willingness to push the shutter button no matter what.

At about the same time I bought my first digital camera (which I still use), I decided I needed a break from the kind of rigid approach to photography I had learned. Not having to pay for film and processing lets you do that. I decided to shoot anything that seemed to offer possibilities. Hey, it worked for her.

Thus a series of shoes-on-a-wire images, which Whatser really seemed to like, and excursions into night-life, kittycats and anything else that looked interesting. Without her inspiration and encouragement, I would never have made those pictures.

I bring all this up because I went for a walk the other day after chatting with her. Of course I took my camera.

Sunsets are cool, and here are two related but somewhat dissimilar views of that nightfall...




And I decided these gulls were worth a shot, even though the camera was furiously blinking its low-light warning at me...



Finally, this warm and inviting set of steps beckoned...



BW (Before Whatsername) I would probably not have bothered with any of these shots. I've had much more fun with the camera since then!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love all these shots!

Gill

Dorrie said...

I love the advantages that digi cameras give us, for the same reasons you mentioned. I, too, have become inspired by the photos people publish, you and yes whatshername, too.

I love sunset pictures.... those are beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Love the shot of the softly lit steps. Very soothing. :)

S

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos scribby! I especially love the staircase, looks like the sort you find at the end of a long walk on a warm summer night. The sort you can just sit on with friends and soak up the evening. Thank you for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Love the stairway shots. Love that I lived to see the digital camera age.

John0 Juanderlust said...

You have a great style with that thing. Digital suits you if it results in this. Good for Whatsername for providing the inspiration to capture what you find interesting.

Whatsername again....? said...

srsly fanfuckintastic, scribs. MORE! <3

Doug said...

Scribbs, because a lot of the time I haven't a clue what I'm doing, I tend to ingnore most of what my camera tells me. I make my settings, and shoot, regardless what the viewfinder info says.

These are all great shots, and yes, the birds were worth the shot.

Anonymous said...

Great photos!