Great Photography Implores Yin-Yang of ...

Photography requires one to understand yin-yang.

Wikipedia definition of Yin-Yang

In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang (also, yin-yang or yin yang) describes how apparently opposite or contrary forces are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. Many tangible dualities (such as light and dark, fire and water, and male and female) are thought of as physical manifestations of the duality of yin and yang.

Yin and yang can be thought of as complementary (rather than opposing) forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts. Everything has both yin and yang aspects, (for instance shadow cannot exist without light). Either of the two major aspects may manifest more strongly in a particular object, depending on the criterion of the observation. The yin yang shows a balance between two opposites with a little bit in each.

Here are some Yin-Yang dualities in photography that I deal with constantly and this list isn't comprehensive by any means.

Nikon D3, AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 500, ƒ/2.8, 1/20, Nikon SB-900 off camera triggered with Pocketwizard TT1 and TT5 on the flash

Shutter-Speed/Aperture–You cannot change one without the other being affected. This was more true in the days of film when you were stuck with one ISO until you changed the film.

ISO/Noise–As you change your ISO you are affecting the image quality. Today's cameras high ISO capabilities are making this less noticeable, but it still exists.

Flash/Authentic Moments–When I shoot with a flash I announce myself and it is much more difficult to blend into a room.

Nikon D3S, Nikon 24-120mm ƒ/3.5-5.6, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6, 1/200

Mixed Lighting–Situations where you have say window light and fluorescent lights in a room competing as the subject moves closer or further from the window the constant fighting of color temperature is ongoing.

Gear/Photographer–This is the biggest issue I have on a daily basis when it comes to the Yin-Yang. There is an ongoing struggle between the science and philosophy of the image. It is like a struggle between science/technology and the liberal arts where you need both to make the very best images.

Nikon D4, AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 200, ƒ/2.8, 1/160

Lifelong Learning

What I love the most about photography and yet continues to frustrate me just as well is I have rarely looked at my work and felt like the images I made couldn't be improved upon.

Great photos I believe are the results of years of understanding and knowledge of the gear to make it perform at the peak of it's capabilities along with years of understanding of the subject. You are able to anticipate and execute an incredible image because you are then fully ready for the "moment."

Sooner or later I have had gear fail me because I pushed it beyond it's capabilities. Photographers complain and the manufacturers listen and create newer gear that exceeds the previous gears abilities.

I have to admit while photography can frustrate me it pales to the learning curve of mankind and my ability to anticipate what people will do.

While I know today's cameras will do even more than their predecessors I don't think we ever fully maximized all that the simple box camera will do.

Nikon Coolpix P7000, ISO 100, ƒ/2.8, 1/1100

Two topics that will result in better images

I think we need to first spend more time getting to know our subject of the images. We need to become experts on our subjects so we truly can start to capture moments that help people connect through our images to those subjects in ways they did not see before.

Second we need to constantly be learning all that our camera gear will do and what we can do to capture those "moments" with our subjects that help clear up the image so that the "moment" really "clicks" with the audience.

Forming a Photographic Style

Nikon D4, AF NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4D, ISO 200, ƒ/1.4, 1/80

My friends and I were teaching a class and we had one student that we all were trying to figure out why they were taking the class. He found each of us and wanted to tell us all he knew about photography.

One of us mentioned how it takes 10,000 hours to master something. Malcom Gladwell talks about this in his book and I have written about it as well on the blog. Here is that link.

The student then went on to say then I am a master then. One is a master when others acknowledge it about you and not the other way around.

My mentor Don Rutledge was trying to form a style and talks about how one guy told him about his style. Listen to Don talk about it here:


Now if you want to hear the entire talk by Don then here it is for you.

[Here is a link to many other recordings of Don Rutledge that I have]

Why is it so hard to establish one's style? I think the hardest thing for most pros is the lack of feedback.

Once you were a hobbyist your friends would compliment your work and tell you how good you are and you should be a photographer. Once however you become a pro, they no longer give you that feedback. Why? You see now you are expected to make great photos.

I think professional photographers need to seek out and pay for feedback.

The other day my friend Will Flora did an experiment with some workers. He is a training director for  a company. He got some front line workers to come to a bowling alley where he paid them to bowl for the day.

There was a catch. He had covered all the monitors and put up a curtain so they could not see how many pins they took down or see their scores. After a while the workers wanted to quit and go home.
They were being paid to bowl for the day and they wanted to quit.

As they were taking off their shoes, Will removed the curtain and uncovered the monitors. A guy asked if they could still bowl without the stuff in the way. He said of course. They then started to bowl and have fun. You see people enjoy work when they understand their part–especially when they can make a game of it.

Nikon Coolpix P7000, ISO 100, ƒ/7.1, 1/1000

While it is important that you get paid as a professional photographer and paid a good wage for your creative talents we still need and want feedback. How are we doing?

Here is a to do list for you:

1. Find Mentor/Coach to help you discover your style
2. Be sure the style you are pursuing is the core of who you are and want to become
3. If you like a photo and you know the photographer take time and tell them that you like it and why. You gotta be willing to give feedback if you want to receive it.

Fuji X-E2, FUJINON XF 55-200mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/8, 1/400

Don't be the photographer that is a legend in their own mind.