Deng Ming Tao asks an interesting question in an article entitled “Angles”.
It is worth considering, he asks, what does it take to make an angle?
You can make a table from a plank of wood, on two upright slabs. It might even look like Stonehenge. Yet, while the stones have stood the test of time, three loosely arranged planks would most likely topple.
A table manufactured by a craftsperson, is a joy to behold. Each piece in place, each piece supporting the whole, and each, a small work of art in its own right. The table is a greater because of the strength of all the small parts.
“To put things together and then hold them in proper angle is one of the miracles of skill.”
Over the years, my own photography has been that sort of journey. Each new skill learned has lead to an expression of a subject in a harmonious balanced way. And please don’t get confused that I’m talking about some compositional rule.
Each subject requires the tensions of the ‘angles’ to be suitable to best express the mood, emotion, feel and vision.
Like so many pursuits, photography has lead me on a voyage across wonderful waters. But there always comes, as a sailor says, the time when it’s no longer the right thing to hug the shoreline, but rather to unfurl the sails and head out into the wider ocean.
Not all is plain sailing, to continue the analogy, but securing the angles with knowledge, skill, experience and dogged determination, will result in photographs that carry within them a little of the photographer’s vision. Built, like a finely crafted table, on our aspirations.
#kneetoo, and I were on the road outside the Treatment Plant. Early morning light, and as we drove along looking in each paddock, we missed the Hobby sitting on a post. Then as we drove by, I noticed it. Too late to stop.
Down the road 100 m, and turn around. Then drive leisurely back as if we still hadn’t noticed it.
The birds in the area are very familiar with passing vehicle traffic.
It passes.
They barely blink.
Passed without any problem, and then to park off the road, the bird was on #kneetoo’s window side. She was happy.
I slipped out of the door, and edged along the top of IamGrey.
The bird was still unperturbed.
A large truck came around a corner and down the road toward us. The bird waited. Took notice of the oncoming vehicle. Did some Hobby calculation about the speed of the approach, our position on the roadside, and concluded perhaps that there wasn’t going to be enough room for all three of us.
A quick unfold of the wings. It was gone.
Enjoy
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
Beautiful image. It made me smile thinking of so many times that I have been trying to hide in the shadow of my car, when someone else comes belting down the road to spoil the moment. It looks like the bird is in that frame of mind….stay or go!
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Hello Nina, it is somewhat of an art isn’t it. to slid along the edge of the car thinking you are not being seen.
The bird is actually unfolding the wings.
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A stunning image of the Hobby, David! I can almost see its thought process!
And yes, in photography or any other pursuit, we need to build on experience and lessons learned and keep pushing out into new and deeper water. Or we become stagnant producing the same result with each image.
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G,day,
There must be some awesome calculations going on in that few seconds. Probably enough to land man on the moon if we could harness the power.
Gotta be careful as I start to sound like some guru on the vagaries of the creative process. Perhaps I write a better story than I create photos, that way it still feels like I’m expressive 🙂
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What a glorious shot! I find one of the joys of photography is that there’s always more to learn, and for me, plenty of room for improvement.
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Hello Eleanor, each day gives me the opportunity to think about the birds, and the photo process and for my own satisfaction try and make the most appropriate image for the bird.
Keeps my trash bin full but that’s what creative pursuits do.
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Beautiful capture David, yes it can be very perturbing when you go to such care to stalk your subject and the unexpected interruption occurs. Though for me it is usually a bike rider, a loud passing walker telling the weeks woes to her partner or a loud person walking up and saying “What’cha looking at?”
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Hello Ashley, I guess it a matter of what I show, and what remains, on the harddrive, which, like a good wine will improve with age. 🙂 I think I’ve said before the joy is in being there and being able to record the moment. Sometimes the universe makes it a bit easier.
99% of the time, I’m like the birds, pretty much over worrying about approaching interference. The worst one is the”what’cha doin'”
I sometimes reply, Nothing, Now!
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Ha ha I like that reply 😊
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Superb shot David. Our Hobby family are still here, very active & noisy.
Clancy
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Hello Clancy, glad to know your Hobbys are still in residence. Food must be plentiful
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