Eliminate the Variables

There are lots and lots of variables in life, in health, in photography, etc.  The more variables that can be eliminated, the better the chance for success in all of the above.

One variable, related to health, concerns whether you would like to know if the food you are eating has been genetically modified (aka GMO).  Currently, in most or all of the U.S., food does not have to be labeled GMO, so you have no way of knowing what you're eating.  There will be an initiative on the ballot this fall, that if passed, will require GMO foods to be labeled as such.  If we know what we're eating, that is one less variable.  More info about GMO labeling - if you want to know if your food is genetically modified or not, and want to avoid eating GMO food, please read and share this link: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/06/14/organizations-on-anti-gmo-labeling.aspx?e_cid=20120614_DNL_art_1


My photography professor at college was the one who told us to eliminate the variables.  What are some of the variables that can and do affect whether you get a snapshot or a work of art?  Lighting, exposure, posing, focus, depth of field, clothing, post processing, your health and the photographers health, whether you're well rested, relaxed, etc., for the session.  How do you eliminate these variables?  For the photographer, through never ending study and practice of each of the variables.  Each variable along the way will add to all the other variables, so for example, if the light is not just right, the focus is a little off, you weren't feeling well, exposure is off, etc., you probably will not be too happy with your photos.  Get all the variables right, and your image should stop someone in their tracks!  But more than that, you can look back at it in the future, and share it with your family, and they will not only see your beauty, but also your personality, who you were at the moment the portrait was taken.  It will be a work of art.  Snapshots have their place for your day to day activities, but works of art are priceless.  Thankfully my family had both.

 Snapshots of my mother and father, taken at Jones Beach, NY.

And a family snapshot of my brother (playing music?), my father, and me - Christmas morning, many years ago.

And one of my younger brother, done professionally.  As always, thanks for stopping by and hope you've enjoyed your visit.