TOP: November 2006 // Nikon D70s, Nikkor 18-70 f/3.5-4.5
ABOVE: February 2023 // Nikon D700, Nikkor 85 f/1.8
ABOVE: February 2023 // Nikon D700, Nikkor 85 f/1.8
Like other artistic pursuits, photography is intoxicating because mastery is impossible. Humility is a partner, learning is in every shutter release. There's built-in surprise in ever-changing street scenes and just as many in landscape shots with the camera locked in position.
The top shot was one of the last of the day during a weeklong road trip around Missouri. It was hand-held with a Nikon D70s, a DX format digital camera that was eclipsed years ago by full-frame sensors and massive megapixel capacity. Yet, some of my best images came from that amazing camera. What matters most is the synthesis of photographer, tool and the moment. I was dialed-in (and giddy as all get out) every day of that trip. This frame is evidence.
Today, I was super-excited to wake a few hours before dawn to return to a spot that caught my eye during yesterday's morning commute. Rain and snow a few days ago left a field of frozen craters that I was sure would be amazing in camera. They were cool in preview but a snooze when I got home. Compositions were flat, and the limits of my D700's ISO were obvious.
What stood out were the few shots I made as I was putting gear back in the truck. The open passenger door was fogged, and the door made an interesting graphic frame—a trick street photographers use often to focus attention and create interest.
Sunrise fried the highlights, and the details weren't as sharp as I hoped. But I absorbed a wealth of lessons. The big one: Get the shot you planned but keep looking for the ones you didn't. I saw this happen countless times on pro shoots I directed for work during the years.
The happy accident also saved the effort. I'm not grumpy about losing a few winks in trade.
Not one bit.
