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 (58)
aljaysart
Beautiful creature, and a fantastic capture excellent.
Hawk23
Excellent shot. She posed very well for you :-)
Gor111
A beautiful leopard portrait you have taken and posted here! Thanks for it!!!
tizjezzme
Such beautiful detail captured; the eyes are gorgeous.
toddaking
Nice picture, beautiful leopard. I had no idea where Sri Lanka was in the world, so I googled it and was surprised it is an island off the coast of India. I then reread your information and noticed you mention it was an island in the second paragraph. It is amazing this cat lives only their. I wonder if the Indian Tiger had something to do with its living off the main land, early on? Thanks, because of your cat I learned something today. Todd
flashone
Fabulous shot Dan. You bagged yourself a big cat and you never had to use a gun to do it. Bravo!
BorisB
Wow, never seen such a beautiful leo, a gorgeous portrait, excellent!!
vlaaitje
one of my favorite animals, the pattern is gorgeous so as the animal itself, lovely details "I would never ever put my head in this one" !!
RodolfoCiminelli
Fantastic shot my friend....!!! Great detail and definition.....!!!!
TwoPynts
In a word, enchanting. Nice work Danny!
CavalierLady
Most beautiful portrait of this exotic cat. The calm serene look in those beautiful eyes belies the fact that this is a wild creature.
Mousson
Greay shot! VVonderful animal!
sharky_
This animal is just beautiful. Excellent portrait. Aloha
42n8
I love his expression you've captured. Excellent.
Cosme..D..Churruca
Fabulous Danny! Like it so very much.
carlx
Wonderful leopard!!! Superb capture!!!
MrsLubner
How incredible. The delicate bone structure is evident but I know this is a hunting cat... The blue cast in the shadowed lighting is great and really highlights those outlines on the face well. i didn't know about this cat and I thought I was very well versed in the cats - big and small. I learn so much from you and the other nature-photographers. Absolutely amazing capture of an amazing animal.
Punaguy
Such beauty in this cat...and one nice shot here to show it off! Aloha~
Lydia1995
Beautiful photo! Mooie foto! Prachtige dieren zijn dat! Heel mooi!!!!!
kansas
An excellent photo of this beautiful animal!
tommorules
What a stunning beast. Superbly captured as always Danny.
amlondono
Amazing photo , Beautiful cat ! Ana
Littlejock
Very amazing and wonderful portrait, in Full size I can see the perfect details and clarity on the eyes and fur. Congratulations for this Wonderful shot
gunsan
I just sigh Danny, the mosy beautiful animal WOW. I was in Sri Lanks once, but then he was hiding.Hm...I wonder if you have any magic thing on our lens to make them pose so willingly??
mhyrdin
He seems so sad to be living in a zoo !! Perfect shot my friend !
kgb224
Majestic animal. Awesome capture. Regards, Christo
nongo
He looks beautiful and healthy, thanks for the info too, I learned something today as well!!!!!
JaneEden
Fantastic capture and excellent shot, I just love big cats and this one is awesome - fave for me xx
KarmaSong
What fascinating eyes , and a masterfully framed capture, taken at the right moment to enhance the majesty of this big cat.Superb photography,Danny.
jinet
A perfect focus on the eye, a simple but true composition, a nice light, and a wonderful resulting photo !