There is room for words on subjects other than last words

Ansel Adams would uproot trees and move other bits of nature to get the perfect shot. A lot of people don’t know that and I’d guess that if they did it would probably shatter their view of his work. To think that a lot of the beauty that he portrayed in his pictures was edited is sort of sad. On the other hand, how much of what he edited really changed the feeling of his photographs? Of course, photography is biased as the viewer can only see what we show them and if we’re doing it right, we’re clearly evoking certain feelings.

When I first started taking film photography I was taught to shoot and print full frame. Not to think about shooting and editing later. If something weird made it into the shot, then you’re going to print it like that too. I think about that even when I’m taking a picture on my phone. It matters to me that what I show is how I originally saw it. That’s not exactly great for Instagram where so much is edited out. It’s clear that a lot of people don’t shoot like that. A lot of it is obvious, but really I wonder what people are trying to get out of not showing the whole thing. I’m interested in the weird, the mistakes, the secrets, the happy surprises that come up in photos.

For better or for worse I’m no Ansel. Full frame, mostly unedited, and if all goes right you’ll feel an ounce of what I felt when I was taking it. It’s finally spring in Chicago and slowly but surely things are warming and blooming. Here’s a selection from warmer, somewhat sunnier, heart full and open days.