The Character of a Place

- Posted by Ann

As Dan said in earlier blog posts, Joshua Tree National Park is a unique place.  

Dawn in Joshua Tree National Park

It has an incredible quality with amazing rock formations and almost silly, Dr. Suess-like trees.  The more you photograph in a place like this, the more you begin to feel its character and try to bring that to life in your images.  

Dan, Len and I have been reading David DuChemin’s most recent book “Soul of the Camera.”  In it, he talks about the importance of not editing your ideas, especially as you are photographing.  Most of us have hundreds of ideas every day.  We reject 99%, if not more, of them for the simple reason that we are afraid they might make us look like a stupid idiot, foolish or that they just won't work...before we even try them.  Regarding the creative process, DuChemin warns against listening to those voices and encourages the artist to make the photograph and not pre-judge it.  You never know where the making of the photograph will take you.

In my experience, it is the voice of my internal mother.  (Thanks for not being Internet savvy, mom.) “What kind of stupid idea is that?”  “I never thought you would be THAT kind of photographer.” You get my drift.  So it is really difficult for me to overcome that internal dialog.

Fortunately, after three days of photographing in Joshua Tree, the Dr. Suess atmosphere of the place took root in my brain, I stopped listening to my inner voice and just went with it.