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
Comments (38)
Janiss
Splendid this bird, but they are thieves... as I have been told! Any way they are cute! Excellent pict M'sieur Danob!
BibbyBear
Excellent shot Dan - the detailing on the feathers (especially in full zoom!) is fantastic. And a great story behind the picture - thank you for that, even though I'm a Brit, I didn't know all that about King Arthur!!! Brilliant capture. xx
Zorg1955
Long life to the chough (Never seen that bird before !) and many thanks for the King's Arthur's legend ........... In France we have a bird named "Chouca des tours ", it looks like yours, but it doesn' t have red feet and red beak .........
gunsan
Excellent shot!
barsyl
How is 'chough' pronounced? Is he as big as a US crow?
wildgoha
as always pleasure to be here - love them all ! thanx dear!
tizjezzme
what a pretty bird ... never seen one of these before ... great shot ! :)
danob
It is pronounced 'chuff' I cant tell you how happy I was to capture this icon of my Cornish heritage!!
MedTran39
Beautiful bird and great shot!
wingnut55
very nice shot.
tommorules
Remember a couple of BBC2 programmes about the return. Great capture!
mhyrdin
I have not seen Chough (Fr : Crave bec rouge) since 30 years there was a lot of these birds on french britanny coasts when i was young .... To day I know there are still some couples in some place but i never meet them. A great shot Dan !
elmurray
Black and red - what could be more stylish than that! Nice one, Danny!
MrsLubner
What a magnificently formed bird. Great muscular structure and sturdy build. The color of the beak and feet is spectacular against the black. I bet it was exciting to get this shot! Wonderful!
nattarious
Lovely and wonderful shot Mr. :) Humm.. I do love that blacky :) And i am not sure about being a thief.. But i just love 'em.. Very well done my friend JOE
Littlejock
Great pic. Big contrast and details in colours. Big shot
BorisB
A gorgeous little fellow, well done!!
CavalierLady
Great shot of this rare bird. Amazing coloring. King Arthur would be proud. :)
bpclarke
Excellent capture and details. I've never seen one of these though read about them. Thank you for sharing. Bunny
sharky_
Very nice bird...colorful red beak. Excellent. Aloha
kansas
I imagine you were very happy to get this shot of this stunning bird. Beautiful red beak, black feathers, and red legs/feet.
stuart83
Excellent capture, love the legend of this bird Stuart
DJB
Nice detail for a black bird at this distance.
Margana
I'm happy for you Danny, that you captured this icon of your heritage. Well done. -M :^)
Gor111
A fabulous taken bird portrait! Love the POV and camera setting in all!!!
Dianthus
Nice detail and capture:)
tallpindo
A lot to uphold. He has the stuffed shirt look to do it.
rayburg
Great rare bird shot...he posed nicely for you.
kjpweb
Good one, Danny! Good to see you back in one piece!
RodolfoCiminelli
Fantastic shot Daniel....!!!!