Date Joined: 8 August 2002 Hello My name is Daniel O'Byrne, ÂÂ
The belief that a good photograph is the result of a good camera places the importance upon the equipment rather than upon the photographer. It emphasizes the machine rather than the man, the tool rather than the artist, the technology rather than the artistic intent. It is as if Monet had been told that the reason why his paintings were so beautiful was because he had such good paintbrushes. Or as if Paul Bocuse’s culinary excellence was explained away by his use of superlative pots and pans. Or again if Yo-Yo Ma had been informed that his Stradivarius was solely responsible for the stunning quality of his music.ÂÂ
One can be inspired and have an idea, be very creative in making this idea into a work of art, have developed the required level of craftsmanship, without the outcome of one’s efforts being motivated by the desire to follow a vision for one’s entire body of work. Vision is an overriding envelope that encompasses both inspiration and creativity. It is a blanket that covers the entire artist’s work, a blanket that often comes later in the life of an artist, after one has perfected one’s art and moved beyond the commonplace outcome that most artists have to go through. For this reason I placed vision as the third step of this process. I placed it there not because it comes necessarily at the end of the process but because in life it is often something that artists discover later on.
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Certainly, a master needs a masterful instrument, be it a camera, paintbrushes, pots and pans or a violin, as in my examples, or other tool, since this list can be expanded to include many other professions. But to say that the quality of the art is caused solely by the quality of the instrument is to miss the point altogether about the importance of the artist. It is missing the point about the human factor, about the man or the woman that actually made use of this instrument. After all, art is made by artists and not by tools. Tools are inanimate objects that need someone to set them in motion. And to set a tool in motion so that art is created through the use of this tool, an artist is needed.
I am now retired from working as a Mental Health professional having worked in the Royal Air Force and National Health Service, giving me more time to persue my photography and artwork. I am a Semi Professional Photoghrapher. Here you will find a collection of my photographs and a selection of Digital Art, Traditional Painting and Sketches that I have also used the digital medium to enhance. Please feel free to pass on any comments. My Camera Gear
http://www.renderosity.com/news.php?viewStory=13527 Here you can find my personal website: DIGITALARTZONE Contact me: E-Mail Artwork for sale: My work Tips and tricks: Nature and wildlife Photography Tips and tricks: Bird Photography
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Comments (30)
Flannelman
Great work and photography you do for the sake of our animal kingdom. Society today has a "I want it now" and the devil may care attitude about the consequence. We consider ourselves superior in the animal realm, yet we neglect the obvious in the guise of progress. At least to me your photography makes a difference. thanx ;-)
nathalie06
Thank you Danny for what you do. Not only for your brilliants photographs, but to be part of an action of sensibilisation about the importance to preserved and saved our environment. How many plants and animals have already disapeared ? and how many persons really realised how it's important that each of us do something ? Just little things, but one little thing + another... do big things ! I'm afraid that in 10 years, some animals have completly disapear as the white bear... it's terrible to think about that.
Thank you for your message, and the beauty of these little otters. I was thinking to Giancarlo reading your comment on this shot.... I'll be certainly very angry about the stupidity of the humans, and you'll have another interesting discussion about this problem ;o))))
Hugs my friend.
vlaaitje
wonderful image...love the trunk background as well....of course your words are words to think about.....well done..so as always
Valerie-Ducom
So beautiful animals and very nice picture.
1010
Crisp and clear, awesome shot!
TwoPynts
A noble cause Danny, I applaud your efforts. You've really captured these otters so well in their natural environment, a terrific photo!
kenwas
Incredible shot my friend!
kansas
Wonderful photo. This will be an interesting series.
marybelgium
beautiful ... interesting too!
saguarosam
Dan: Your photos keep me inspired. The simplicity and directness are qualities to be admired and emulated as far as I am concerned. I strive for them when I get a chance to get out in the field and take photos. Applying your skill to the continued need for awareness and activism to conserve our rapidly dwindling biodiversity is commendable. We can ask, demand, legislate, punish those all over the world who seem intent on ruining the natural world, knowingly and unknowingly all we want in order to try and keep from wallowing in the damage done. But in the end, each person, if making small contributions and changes, can affect a greater course change. Incrementalism is a powerful tool when applied across millions of people. This leads me to the following question: I wonder if Renderosity would be of a mind to create a new photographic gallery that expresses the concepts and questions your new series will address? Again, thanks for keeping me happy! saguarosam
romanceworks
Your love for animals in their natural surrounding is very evident in your beautiful photography. I, too, am a lover of these innocent creatures who give us so much and take so little, and cannot abide the selfishness of mankind to abuse and destroy what humans and this earth need so much. Money, or land, or anything else, will never replace these precious gifts of nature. CC
stuart83
Beautifully captured, there is nothing better than seeing, admiring & capturing (photographic) animals in there natural habitats, thanks for sharing you passion Stuart
Ger50
Beautifully captured, and I agree with you.
elmurray
I am in agreement with you 100%, being an animal lover myself. These otters look so happy in their environment and long may they remain so. Brilliant capture and moving sentiment. Bravo!
Dalyn
Hi Danny I concur with every point, and what a great shot! Dave
mark.spooner
Beautiful work!
Sekadhar
Fantastic animals! uper capture!*****!
Cosme..D..Churruca
C H A P E A U ! ! !
tommorules
Sentiments wholeheartedly agreed with. On a practical level, if you work in the UK for any sized company you can apply for 'Sharing the Caring' which allows you to donate to numerous charities tax free direct from your pay packet - i.e. if you're a basic tax payer then your donation gets 23% added to it, if you are one of the lucky ones then 40% goes on top. I give a little each month to WWF (that's the wildlife fund NOT the wrestling!!!). Link here: http://www.sharingthecaring.org.uk/ . I would hope similar schemes exist outside the UK.
MrsLubner
For me, all animals on are on the endangered list... We whittle one species down, tinker around to bring it back to an "acceptable level" and then whittle down another species, and so on. Sort of what I was saying about the pocket gopher I posted the other day. Man is wildlife's biggest predator. How many arguments have I had with people who spot a coyote or bobcat or cougar near their home or along the river levee hiking trail and immediately they will say this beast must be stalked and killed to protect the neighborhood's precious dogs, cats, kids and humans. Who lived there first? Must we conquer everything regardless of the consequences? What is odd about this to me is that most of the people living in these areas moved there to be closer to nature and see wildlife at their backdoor. They have no clue how to coincide with it or appreciate it and once they realize they can't control the wildlife, it becomes "kill the varmint." I watch the river otters here often when I fish. They are marvels in the wild and delight me just as the muskrats and beaver do when they swim through. Of course, if I see them, I can bet my fishing is done for the day... they are better fishermen than I. :-) Beautiful photo, Dan.
MedTran39
Awesome capture!
amberlite
Incredible photo, saddened by the cruelty and carelessness..
rainbows
Stunning capture, Danny. We have to care about our planet, for all creatures for the sake of us all and for them... Our Grandchildren may never see creatures, flowers in the wild, if we do not. The world would be so poor If we do not care enough. Such a loss would break my heart. I don't know how to put my words so strong here for what I feel. I do my very best. Thank you for raising awareness. It is needed. Na night, and hugs. Diane.
sharky_
Well said and I'm in support of your cause. Aloha
valcali
Bravo...;o)
Littlejock
Lovely pic and excellent your message. Super work with the best intention. Hugs Danny
Punaguy
When I look at this image, I see these guys as they should be in their natural environment. I totally agree with your message, as humans we are tasked to protect all species. But in this day and age we forget and neglect our job as the top predator. I live by the motto as a photographer: Take nothing but pictures, Kill nothing but time, leave nothing but foot prints. Thanks again for the reminder....Aloha~
nongo
I totally agree with your sentiments here, I also think we humans are an endangered species as well, soon, who knows the outcome???? Thanks Danny for all your efforts to educate the masses!!!!!! You are a kind soul!!!!!!!!
iaacf
Yes, I understand what you say here and why you say it. It's my concern too. Too many wildlife is disappearing because of men's influence on nature. The picture of theotters you show here is just marvelous..
TomDart
Danny, I had not seen this until viewing another members homepage. A favorite there! This is a wonderful shot and so appropriate. Fine and quite expressive work. You might be able to do that with a Nikon, too. LOL