Return to render
AliceinCleveland’s post Doctor Photostein’s Monster about revisiting past photos struck a nerve of late. AliceinCleveland wrote about returning to photos and bringing them back to life through re-editing. I’ve returned to some of my earlier photos, well, more the ideas behind the photos, to reshoot them for the exhibition.
One photo I returned to was the “Walkies” photo of a Gamorrean Guard walking the Rancor on the beach.
“Walkies” the original
Although this photo received a lot of traction on Instagram, some lovely compliments from friends, and has even graced the pages of BricksCulture magazine, there’s always been something about it that’s bugged me.
I was asked to explain why it bothered me by a friend, when I mentioned I was planning on re-shooting it for the exhibition, and, as you’ll hear, I can’t quite put my finger on why. Maybe it was the pose on the Rancor? Maybe it was the Gamorrean Guard holding a LEGO bone in the wrong hand? Maybe it was the position of the sunrise, or the colour palette that morning presented me with? Maybe it was the editing? Or maybe it was the fact that this was one of the first outdoor shots I’d taken with the newly acquired camera and as I’d become familiar and more confident with the contraption, I simply thought I could do better?
I’ve got a feeling that hurts my brain
The sort of feelings that I can’t explain
I’ve got a feeling that’s stuck on my chest
The sort of feelings that I wish to express
Eddy Current Suppression Ring – I’ve Got A Feeling
I don’t know? But, with the exhibition around the corner, it was the perfect chance to put these nagging demons to bed, and re-shoot this photo.
So, armed with more camera confidence, a bounce card (maybe this is another reason the original photo bothered me?), the Rancor and two Gamorreans, a smaller LEGO bone and a LEGO trolley, rubbish bin, broom and shovel, I set off down to the beach, predawn, to set up, lie on the cold, wet sand and wait the sun to crest the horizon.
“Walkies” the re-shoot
After a 15 minute wait for the sun to come out and play, there was a frantic race to capture shots from various angles and with variations of poses, before the sunrise became simply sunshine.
You won’t even take a look
To see another way
You aren’t even listening
Take your ideals and go away
Pennywise – Same Old Story
So, am I 100% happy with this latest version? No. Will I ever be 100% happy? I hope not! I hope I can always see ways I can develop, improve and enhance.
I hope I never take the perfect photo.
Such rabbit hole that you’ve dropped down! I gave up on the “perfect” image ages ago. I’ve learned to embrace the imperfections in exchange for better lighting, better pose or a better connection with the viewer.
Now that doesn’t mean that I don’t find myself chasing a better capture of a particular image, I’ve written enough blog posts about that. And I’m pretty sure Vesa has posted a few of his own posts about going back and re-editing images for a more satisfying effect.
However you decide to pursue the next image, either through re-shoots or re-edits it’s a never ending, and fun, challenge. In other worlds – a very deep rabbit hole. 😀
Oh, I completely agree! As I said, I hope I never take the perfect photo. What’s left to strive for if we do?
This one however, has always bugged me, and with the exhibition coming up, it was the perfect opportunity to re-shoot it with a greater understanding of the new camera and an arsenal of newly learning techniques, many of which I’d learned from here!
I’ve often thought of revisiting some of my iPhone photos, but that is definitely a rabbit hole I don’t want to venture down!! 😛
I like the original better, it’s organic, natural and effortless, it has a street photography feeling to it. It ranks high on street credibility meter as well. It is as if you saw it on the beach and just snapped a photo of it.
I struggle with this all the time (as Shelly said), not always with posted photos but with test shots, sketches if you will. They often have that extra something that makes them look interesting (enough for me to attempt a finished version), but when I actually shoot them, the interestingness fades away. I never seem to be able to place the camera and the “proper” lights the way I have in the carefree tests. It’s annoying! I think I see the same process happening with these two photographs.
We get hung up with our photographs, speculating whether the decisions made were the best ones. We shouldn’t, yet we should. Art is created under circumstances and it should be let go once it’s finished for the first time. Yet, second guessing is a great way to learn about your own process. Analyzing your decisions and reshooting your own work gives a much wider understanding of how and where the images you create come from. It’s a learning process.
This time, the first one has all the charm though. It’s absolutely fabulous! Warts and all. 🙂