“Take a look at what you’re looking at”. One of my all time favorite photographers, Jay Maisel said this in a seminar I attended about 10 years ago. I thought, wow, what a phenomenal bit of information for a photographer to share. To me, it was profound. After all, “seeing” is what it’s all about for us. Seeing moments, light, anticipating and reacting to all of the elements that surround us….. To me, Jay’s advice was so profound that I truly do double takes at nearly every turn while I’m shooting. See something, then try and see it differently. It’s actually something I admire quite a bit from my fiancee, Susan Stripling. She has that rare ability to see things that aren’t apparent with the naked eye.
Now, Jay being Jay(ya need to meet the man to understand this) when I told Jay that his words inspired me, he had no idea he even said those words. He really does say so many things that inspire others, I’m sure he can’t remember them all. However, he said it, and thanks to him I’m constantly trying to look at scenarios in different ways to capture something interesting. Be it light, reflections, angles, texture, juxtaposition, or other photographic elements that grab the eye, they’re important tools to tell the visual story.
Here, our groom Keith was awaiting his ceremony this past Saturday at St. Michaels Church in Atlantic City. The wedding was at One Atlantic in Atlantic City, a spectacular venue for anyone considering something at the Jersey Shore. I always try and find both the bride and groom moments before the ceremony. Often times, I’ll find them deep in thought. My goal is to capture them without camera awareness so I don’t distract them in any way. These are precious moments, and they are their moments, not mine. So, perhaps when Keith looks back on this moment, he’ll remember what he might have been thinking at that very moment rather than his recollection of me telling him to “look cool” or “don’t mind me”. I could have just shot him looking out the window deep in thought. I took a look at what I was looking at, and then saw this. it’s simply his reflection in the framed sign on the sacristy door. I like it. I hope Keith does, too.
For the geeks-
Nikon D4, 35mm 1.4G, ISO 6400 F4.5 @ 1/60th
