Exceeding the Limit

November 3 2007 at 12:00 am (Inspiration) (, , , , , )

45We all have preconceived notions about how much we can achieve. These limits are set by years of baggage heaped on by family, television, friends, coaches, and teachers. I’ve come to terms with the knowledge that I will never be able to dunk a ball Jordan-style. That’s the thing about basketball…people expect you to win a game or two now and then.

But, art is different.
Even if no one else likes my photographs, I at least strive to make images that I like. Like basketball, photography has rules. Rule of thirds. Rules of design. Rules of thumb. But, no one’s going to call a foul on you if you break them. In fact, many of the worlds best images break the rules.

The best way to improve the images you make is to play by the rules for a while, then tell the rules to take a hike. All the while, take lots and lots of pictures. The more you take, the better chance you’ll take a photograph that is THE KEEPER. Your mom will stick it on the fridge. I’ll post it on the Camera Club website. The Enquirer will print it on the front page. The point is, you have no limits in art – just rules to follow and rules to break.

And, every now and then, you get a slam dunk.