I HATE TO ADMIT IT, BUT I HAVE PHOTO ENVY

I do, I wonder it all the time. In fact, I am near obsessive about trying to get a glimpse of what others are snapping.

Actually, this also relates to my previous post SOMETIMES I TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THINGS AND CANNOT REMEMBER WHY – but applied to other people rather than myself!

We have spoken about my nosiness before – and I have forced the view that any photographer worth their price in salt should be nosey. Nosiness = interesting images!!!

Anyway, my obsession means that whenever I walk passed someone with a camera in their hand, poised framing a shot – I have to maneuver myself near to them so I can try and get a view of what they are shooting. This is not a flawless system, sometimes social ethics mean you cannot stand over some-one’s shoulder and inspect what they are looking at. So more often than not, I get to a safe distance and take an educated guess at what they are taking an image of. But – I never know for sure.

Perhaps this desire comes from the fear that they are taking an interesting shot of something I have not seen or thought about. It’s basically photo envy.

What Is He Photographing? (2010)

WHAT WAS THE CHAP IN PRESTON PARK PHOTOGRAPHING?

The other day, I was wandering through Preston Park – the morning sunlight, the frosted ground and the emerging buds shouted of Spring. I was content. Then…there to my left was the chap pictured, in full crouch position taking a shot. I was distressed, not only was I running late so could not properly investigate, but my position also meant I could not really tell what he was doing. All I knew is he was crouching and looking at a beer can atop a bin. I walked on by, concerned at what I might be missing.

THEN…the day passed by uneventful and soon it was morning again, and I was trudging my well worn path to work, through the park. Remembering my distress of the morning before, my eye idly glanced to the spot I had seen the chap the previous day. Low and behold, the can was still on the bin. I saw my chance, I could actually attempt to re-create the shot my predecessor had already snapped.

A SOLUTION TO ALL MY WORRIES

Armed with the photograph from the previous day still on my camera, I zoomed in and inspected the lads pose and position. Then – I guessed at what he might be thinking in terms of depth of field, focus and composition – and shot the shot. Joy brimmed up as my torturous ordeal came to a satisfying conclusion. I had managed to exactly see what someone else had taken a photograph of. Well – almost, I still don’t know what exactly he was shooting – but I had a pretty good idea.

Perhaps I might adopt this approach and try to re-create any photograph I ever see anyone else taking! best give up my job.

Anyway, here is the result…

Beer Can On A Bin (2010)