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 (52)
addy
"never to judge a book by its cover..." I totally agree with u... your image and the little story that u told us here is the proof of it.
Michelle A.
Agreed whole heartedly Dan....Excellent photo! Love the story that goes with it....makes it all the more human....
Tanialmeida
Danni!!!!!! have i told you lately that I LOVE your work?!?!? i know that u have always been full of thoughts with an imagination that runs rampant ... but to sit and actually WATCH this in action ... to watch your personal growth in the reflection of your art and all of it's transitions is simply STUNNING!!! U are an inspiration for emotive art, i just simply LOVE watching your mind at work, i am so glad that i have found u and your work here! thank you again your presence is so much praised, thank you for your kind words and support on my work, i have so much to learn from u my friend!!! your wised words are always so true, indeed, do never judge a book for it's cover!!
flashone
Indeed, because when I first saw the thumbnail I thought it was you resting up from your holiday travels :D Seriously though, it is so true and I'm glad you took the chance to make a difference in someone's life (as you always do) and enjoyed a priceless gift in return. You are the bestest.
j-art
what sagely words - this should people make to think over - very enotional photo which touches me - dont want to comment the quality of this picture its subject matter is outstanding. respectfully uwe
HobbyHopper
What a great shot! He has peaceful sleep.
SoulEatar
You know I got hit in the head with a bottle rocket on the 4th - My thoughts have been a little abbynormal - See I find when I have been in similar situations by buying myself and my new friend a bottle we both become poets :)
Akinom
You're such a wise guy, Danny! Thank you so much for this great message! It's an absolutely true meaning!
skoeter
There's me years back.......Great pic and lesson ;0)
SophiaDeer
An excellent photograph and what a beautiful story, Dan! I think you did the correct thing by taking the fellow for dinner. It is amazing how both your lives were enriched by this encounter. Blessings to both of you!
KingPtolemy
Excellent picture with an important message
gunsan
Love your photo and the story to it. There really is a message to us all, never to judge our less fortunate fellow beings. After all, it could have been you.
tallpindo
I used to drive down to downtown Detroit and give out money to the derelicts on the bus benches on Sunday morning or those out in the street arguing. I never saw one on the same bench two weeks in a row. It's all who you want to move. I borrowed $5 from the legal vice president of the Southern Pacific Railroad in Baltimore when a flight to DC got diverted one night after the ticket counters closed and I had only two $100 company checks. Later I did a noise wall project with the VP of Sante Fe for $600,000.00 in HUD money. Being sober and down and out is even harder. You're not even around the pleasure seekers.
keeba17
wonderful story dan, alot can be said about him through your photo. i guess i wouldn't thought of him to be a poet, great moral and wonderful subject. thanks for sharing.
borsy
Excellent image, Danny!!! Nice to hear such a wonderful story and message to go with it!!
Niutek
All I can say here is that I fully agree with you, Danny, on judging people and having had a few such encounters myself, I can add that they were very suprising, indeed. Great title (reminds me of Eric Clapton's song from his brilliant 'Unplagged' album), excellent shot.
che18530
Danny this is fabulous. Wonderful technique and I really love that it is in Black and White. it really causes it to stand out more. I wrote a poem when I was working at an urban ministry a few years back...fits so well here...a few verses: All around, nearly unseen, are the faces of a nation. Worn and weary, lost and alone, longing, deeply longing to be known. We walk among them, saying we care, praying their really not there, not wanting to know more, though offering to share. All around, nearly unseen, are the faces of a nation. Hopeless and saddened, wounded and dying, yearning, forever yearning to be free. There is more but I hope this gives the feel you were going for without changing anything. I think what you said about who he really is was very significant. I am so glad you took the time to know him. I have no doubt he feels the same way...Cheryl
ShadowWind
That's excellent advice and Bravo for helping someone like that. Often, the best people are thrown into the streets due to the hardships of their life, people who are important to the world, but those around them don't realize it. Wonderful photo and experience...
cynlee
opens an interesting round of comments... you are so right! wonderful & touching story & photo, just what i would expect from someone as nice & as brilliant as you! :D
bleachfix
This experience for you Danny is what is known as "laying up treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-21) [];^)
kansas
Excellent photo, Danny. A heart rending sight, for sure. But some anger wells up inside as I think of the wasteful spending of various governments in what seems like senseless projects, and at the same time there are needy people who get no help at all. That is one side of the coin, but we won't talk about the other here.
Tommy3D
Tania has said what I feel. I love your work and spirit, you touch everyone deeply!! You are a good man, my friend!!
bijouchat
that is such a moving story... and you did the right thing... btw, this is a fantastic photograph. You've been posting some fantastic work... been great fun to catch up in your gallery!
calum5
The life of these poor souls!Your picture tells only his story and yet there are thousands,millions perhaps in sinmular plights!Is the existance worth prolonging!This world needs a rebuild-thousands of years ago! Fantastic work Danny!
ratto
Wonderful shot.. great choice the B/W.. the story really adds feeling to the whole work! Beautiful..
Kropot
Nice story, great shot. There is a lot of people with brains that lockem selfs out of sociaty. Cant blame em.
Misha883
Wonderful photo. And you are truly a good person.
RedundantlyAbundant
Thank you for sharing the image and the words. This makes me want to be a better person.
A_
Excellent shot, and you're a big-hearted person.
jwdell
Excellent work! And a lesson for us all...