Things I've Learned in a Life in Photography

Old Ford pickup in auto graveyard, U.S. 27, Troup County, Georgia.

 

 One: The Thing Is the Thing

The one essential thing without which no photograph can exist is the thing itself -- the subject. As the late, great Bill Jay  wrote: 

This immediate emotional or intellectual response to the subject matter is at the core of photography. Its periphery is the photographer's manipulation of framing, focus, exposure, lighting, and all the other variables, in order that a bland record is invested with depth through the production of an intriguing image.

The photographer is, first and foremost, a selector of subjects. The photographer makes a conscious choice from the myriad of possible subjects in the world and states: I find this interesting, significant, beautiful or of value. The photographer walks through life pointing at people and objects; the aimed camera shouts "look at that!" The photographer produces pictures in order that his or her interest in a subject can be communicated to others. Each time a viewer looks at a print, the photographer is slaying "I found this subject to be more interesting or significant than thousands of other objects I could have captured; I want you to appreciate it too. "

Jay's book On Being a Photographer should be in every photographer's library. It's cheap and it's available on Amazon. If you don't have a copy I highly recommend you get one.

The photo: Made in 1996 with a Canon EOS A2 camera and (probably) the Canon EF 28-105mm lens. The film, as always, was Fujichrome 100D slide film.

 If you like my pictures, visit my online gallery at https://davejenkins.pixels.com/  

Signed copies of my book Backroads and Byways of Georgia are available for $22.95 plus $4.95 shipping. My PayPal address is djphoto@vol.com (which is also my email). Or you can mail a check to 8943 Wesley Place, Knoxville, TN 37922. Include your address and tell me how you would like your book inscribed.

Photograph copyright David B. Jenkins. Text copyright David B. Jenkins and the Estate of Bill Jay, 2026.  

I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless life gets in the way.

Soli Gloria Deo -- For the glory of God alone.

Tags:   photography     film photography    Bill Jay     Canon EOS A2 camera    Canon EF 28-105mm lens   Fujichrome 100D film    art and photography