The other day I took photographs of a large Thai flag high up a very tall
flagpole. I was looking for inspiration. Then I took a photo of a pile of
reinforcing bars. I was looking for inspiration. I even took a photo of a drain
cover, still searching for the elusive inspiration.
However, there was an easier way. Everyone should have a
photographer whose work stimulates them to greater heights. For me, these
include Norman Parkinson, Helmut Newton and Jeff Dunas, but the one photographer
who inspires me not only with his images, but also with his words, is Larry Dale
Gordon, whose name has cropped up in these columns more than once over the
years.
Now when I say that your favorite photographer’s work should
inspire you, that does not mean that you should rush out and slavishly copy
their work. Don’t laugh, I have seen it done so many times in camera club level
photographers who have been most upset when I mark them down for copying, rather
than being creative. How many times have I seen the kitten looking at the
goldfish in the brandy balloon, or the kitten hanging from a tree branch? Too
many!
When I say “inspire” I mean that you look at the work and say
to yourself, “How did he/she do that?” What this means is that you should look
at the end result and work out how you can use that technique, to produce your
own shot. This is not copying, this is getting inspiration.
So why does Larry Dale Gordon (LDG) inspire me? There are
many reasons. First off, he is a self trained photographer, who believes that
the way to learn is to do it. Let me quote you from one of his books, “I learned
photography through experience; by putting film through the camera, peering
through the lenses, trial and error, and pondering every facet of light. It’s
the only way. If you think there is another way, or a faster way, write a book
telling how and you will make considerably more money than by being a
photographer.” These are very wise words. Cut them out and stick them on your
bathroom mirror and read them every day!
I’ve tried to see just what it is about LDG’s pictures that
appeal so much to me and I’ve come up with two basic concepts. Simplicity and
Color.
Look at the photograph I have used to illustrate this week’s
article. A classic sunset shot. The girl in the meditation position. The
unspoiled acres of shifting sand. Unfortunately, Pattaya Mail is a black
and white medium, so just imagine, if you will, what that shot looks like
predominantly orange/red with the black shadows. It is a simple, uncluttered
shot with really only one color in it. It is classic and timeless and there is
absolutely nothing to detract (or distract) the eye from single figure in the
photograph.
OK, so you still want to get a picture like this one? It has
inspired you enough? Here’s how. Find a sand or gravel pit. There are many
around cement depots, or in an old quarry. Find a homogenous background, one
that does not have houses, cars, trees and the like. But one that will allow you
to see shapes as the sun starts getting lower. We are looking for light and
shadow, just like LDG.
Now is the time for a “tobacco” filter. On the bright sunny
day, with the light behind or to the side of your subject(s) hold this
brown/orange filter over the lens and pop the shutter. The camera will do the
rest. Experiment with different colors to get strangely wonderful or weirdly
dreadful results.
The only point to really remember is to get the light behind
or to the side of the subject. You want the sun’s rays to be close to
horizontal, so it will be late in the afternoon. That is the time for not only
‘warm’ lighting, but lighting that will give strong and long shadows.
Amaze your friends with a dramatic monochromatic shot - and
if you don’t tell them about Larry Dale Gordon, I won’t either!
