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On Friday, I headed out to the Berkshire Mountains to takes some photos for an interview with Pioneer magazine at Dreamaway Lodge. The day was brilliantly sunny and just felt perfect. I finished teaching at 2:30, and when Tyler picked me up he was waiting with Starbucks since I was a little nervous (I jokingly told him once that Starbucks me feel powerful like the kind of person who wears a blue-tooth and answers it with "talk to me.")
The Lodge is less than 50 miles away, which should have given us two solid hours of sun - and the magic hour!!! - before nightfall. As soon as we got on the one lane road to the mountains we ended up behind a school bus. No passing, stopping every three blocks, 25 mph. I was watching the sun get lower and lower in the sky and just when I became worried, the bus turned off at an intersection. The open road was before us! yaaaaaa! and then two seconds later a. second. school. bus. pulled infront of us.
When we finally finally lost the school bus, Tyler drove like we were in the part of a car commercial that demonstrates how good the handeling is and we arrived in Beckett with about an hour of good sun left. And then, out of nowhere, a solid bank of black opaque clouds rolled in and blocked out any hopes up golden light just as we were getting out of the car. Cue tantrum.
I was just so disappointed. But, I pulled out my camera anyway.
It reminded me of something we talked about in one of my research methods classes. Often young academics will go into an interview knowing the story they want to tell. They ask certain questions and get certain - obvious and flat - answers. But, the trick to telling a good story is listening. You have to listen to respond to someone or something.
It's been less intuitive to learn this without words and with my camera. I'm only now beginning to respond to what I'm seeing, rather than execute a vision I already had.
(photos) with iPhone | Dreamaway Lodge in Beckett, MA
(photos) with iPhone | Dreamaway Lodge in Beckett, MA
one of a director of photography that i used to work with in film production told me, that what's the matter is we can make something out of it. you might miss the magic hour, you might miss the golden sky, you might lose the bluest sky due to some reasons. but make your effort worth by at make at least something out of it. and it seems like you've done it perfectly :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good lesson to learn as a photographer. So often I picture the 'finished' images in my head and forget to just be inspired by what's around me.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I come here, I fall in love with your blog again and I'm so grateful for each point spoken. It's so true- the key to telling a story is listening and letting it happen. And I SO GET YOU on the Starbucks things. What a keen observation! Even though mine is filled with hot cocoa and whipped cream, I still feel like a responsible adult who needs it to power through the day.
ReplyDeleteAnd so many times I've been wanting to beat the light for a good photo. I can totally relate to that part.
What wonderful insight!
ReplyDeleteGreat post - you were in my neck of the woods! Welcome to The Berkshires, the weather changes in an instant, it keeps us on our toes :) come back soon, it's a beautiful nook in the world :)
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