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 (48)
Mondwin
WOW...what a wonderful capture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Bravissimo!V:DDD.Hugsxx Whylma.
RodolfoCiminelli
Impressive storm and sky my friend....!!! Wonderful photo......!!!
rainbows
Ominous, powerful and very beautiful Danny. A marvelous shot, love the dark mood here. Hugs. Diane.
BorisB
What a gorgeous and dramatic atmosphere, excellent work!!
vlaaitje
WOW, AWESOME.....so moody...love it
Littlejock
Beautiful light and contrast of the clouds.. very soft.. Wonderful work..
nfrocer
Great atmosphere!
MrsLubner
I would like to suggest that perhaps, on the top (heads) of these clouds, you use a bit of highlighing to accentuate the storminess of the sky. Also just a touch in the forefront to the right where the "straw" is, fading off as the "straw" trail travels toward the back of the shot ... to give some balance - but not too much here because you are going for the darkness of the coming storm front. I really love this shot! even as dark as it is - but I can see it in my "mind's eye" under a portrait lamp on a wall on display. Hence the extra lighting comes to mind.
PaxSV
Fantastic shot! Stunning light! PaxSV
inshaala
Nicely composed shot, but i have to say those dont look like storm clouds, infact it looks like a nice summer's day. Also, although i can see where you are going with the darkening i think it is a tad too much...
sema_fox
Unpredictability of the nature, in a photo, is success.
sharky_
Hope the weather be kind to you. Aloha
dragonmuse
Impressive sky. Just waiting for the drops to fall.
BibbyBear
I love the way the clouds have formed and the dark atmosphere to this shot. Yes, such a beautiful April and so far May has brought us nothing but rain sigh!! Lovely shot Dan. xx
gsb
Fantastic artwork! Love the atmosphere!
carlx
Gorgeous scenery with incredible fantastic colors, light and mood!!! Awesome capture!!!
Margana
Now that's drama!!!! Most impressive, Danny. Love how painterly it is. It reminds me of those really old landscape oil paintings you see, that have darkened over time... -M :^)
Hendesse
Wow...what an impressive and dramatic mood. Stunning shot, looks fantastic!!
mark.spooner
An excellent capture!
MedTran39
Awesome picture of that cloud and dark sky! Great shot!
Zorg1955
A wonderfull darkness Danny ! ! !
monjo71
Great shot Danny!
Janiss
Oh la la Danny... such gorgeous dark atmosphere... I adore!
CDBrugg
Do you by any chance know the Tiffany Aching novels by Terry Pratchett? They are ostensibly set on his 'discworld' but very obviously inspired by the 'chalk'. I havn't been to this part of England for many years (20+), your picture reminds me of how beautiful this area can be :-))
fredster66
Impressive work. Marvelous.
kansas
Very dramatic. I can almost smell the rain in the air. Excellent photo.
Ionel
Very beautifully done!
Loloe
Wow!!! superb image!!! what a great atmosphere!!! Bravo!!!
Brog28
Great shot, a little too dark even though it is suppose to be a storm shot. Love the left side with the thin clouds
Brandi
Incredible! This actually reminds me a lot of where I live (Texas). :)