Taking Action, Clicking the Shutter, Making Things Happen

For many years working as a photojournalist, photo editors would call with a specific subject for me to photograph.

Professorial activities take most of my working energy these days.  On the rare occasion when I head out with my camera, sans editorial mandate, subject matter can initially be elusive.

Driving among farms near the Connecticut river in Massachusetts, the light streaming through corn leaves beckoned me from my car.

Photosynthetic Tendrils

Moving beyond photojournalism's straight shooting, these days I often create in-camera multiple exposures. Prowling around the corn field's edge, I layered images of found grass, clouds, trees and sky:

Seed Sky River

Nearby a freshly mown hayfield:

Not an Aerial

A farm photo essay without a red barn would be incomplete: 

Motif #12

Looking down from a bridge towards a river :

Leaves Over Untroubled Water

It all starts just by taking action, clicking the shutter the first time, making things happen.

John Nordell teaches courses in the Visual and Digital Arts Program at American International College in Springfield, Mass. He blogs about the creative process at CreateLookEnjoy.com  Instagram: @john.nordell

Tweet