I've stated many times, usually in my presentations (oops shameless plug :) ) that;
"my most valuable skill (gift) is my ability to convert the delicacy of the moment into powerful photographs".When I photograph weddings I'm always looking for gifts and although it is considered impolite to ask for gifts for by doing so "gifts" should by definition no longer be considered true "gifts", i.e. "something voluntarily transferred" I do actively seek little gifts.
At a wedding I photographed in Philadelphia this past Saturday i found many gifts awaiting me.
I knew when I entered the reception that there were gifts aplenty just waiting to be captured. Side note: "captured on film" sound so much better than "preserved on my sensor" so we'll just stick with captured for the moment :)
I had of course seen the square sign-in board with the familiar Philadelphia LOVE symbol on the table, I had noted the light, which some people might have described as harsh, but I thought was strong. I discounted the impulse to shoot details of guests' signing it or their words on the board, that would be too easy. I just kept in my mind the fact that the board was there and that I must keep an eye out for some way of recording that detail or aspect of the reception.
I liked the light on the gentleman's face and the number of conversations around the table,
to my right I saw two grandmothers deeply engrossed in their recollections, observations, who knows what?
Behind me a third grandmother gave me the gift I'd been waiting for.
A comment on last week's post said in part; "I'm sending you a book I just completed."
Honestly I didn't know what to think, and was even intrigued when a couple of days later a package arrived containing the aforementioned book along with a lovely letter saying how the photographer thought of me as he put the whole project together.
Gosh, I certainly did receive a gift. "Moments in Time" by Tyler Vance is a collection of his work that is truly a joy. A joy to view and a joy to hold. The images are superb, the printing is none too shabby either, and the writing struck a chord with me.
In fact as I read the text accompanying one of my favorite images, page 23, I laughed and recalled a similar situation I had many years ago the result of which is one of my own favorite images although I do remember the name of the pub - Sandy Bells.
Recognition
of the gift is often immediate, occasionally it
is not and the gift may be be set aside or even discarded. I took this
shot over three years ago and have only really looked at and begun to
enjoy it recently.
This one has been a favorite since I saw and, yes, captured it on film.
Thank you Tyler for the gift, it will most definitely not be discarded and it will be enjoyed for many years to come.
