.rodney smith.

"Composition is to photography what rhythm is to music. It is about symmetry and proportion, resonance between the photographer and subject; where everything fits just so. Almost like iambic pentameter in poetry, or natural cadence and body rhythm. . . It seems to me losing a sense of composition is synonymous to having an irregular heartbeat." ~Rodney Smith

In the photography world, there are a small handful of wellknown photographers out there that I would love to meet. Fortunately, most of them are still alive. One being a Mr. Rodney Smith. I first learned about Rodney Smith while flipping through the pages of a scrapbooking magazine many many years ago. A young lady had taken a self-portrait of herself leaping over a bale of hay in the same style as an image taken by Mr. Smith. After doing some searches, I found out who this man was, and I've been a fan of his photographs ever since.

Today, I found out that he has started blogging on his website. If I didn't have enough respect for the man already, I am even more intrigued and grateful that he has chosen to share his images and his thoughts with the rest of us. After reading his entries, I am reminded again of why I love film, and why taking the time to make a picture is more important than having a memory card of full of worthless images. As an aspiring photographer, I am truly motivated by the words he shares with each entry.

"To say a photographer has a vision is to say the photographer has something unique to say about the world. Why do some photographers have something unique to say, when so many others just shoot pictures that are general and lacking vision? Most people would say it has to do with talent. Maybe. But maybe not. Maybe it has nothing to do with talent. Maybe it has to do with the ability to express one’s feelings. The person who presents a strong vision has figured out a way to express his or her feelings, while others are struggling to do that. Talent, then, becomes not so much artistic talent, though that may be a good part of it, but rather emotional talent.

This applies to music as well: much of music, obviously, is a technical skill, as is photography. However, the difference between a good musician and a great musician is, I think quite obvious: emotion. . ."

I would hope that you would head over to his website to view a few of the images he is displaying in his new book, The End. Perhaps you'd want to stay a little longer, maybe even make a cup of tea, and spend a little time in his company. I am glad that I did. Now if only I had $800!