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 (73)
jimry
I can only say Dan, I wish more people would visit these wonderful places even just to get a glimpse of these beautiful birds...they are just wondrous in all aspects and a great leaning curve to understand their behaviour and life. Spendid work on this barn owl :)
diomedes66
Outstanding image; tone gradients are unsurpassed; just the perfect combination of sharpness and softness. VOTE
kora
I adore barn owls, and this is another beauty, Danny. Outstanding quality, as usual. V
Synapse
Magnificent again! He's so clean, his feathers are almost gleaming here. Thank you for sharing once again :-)
Vraxor
wow, stunning capture, the dof is excellent and the timing is perfect! v
Corwin13
Fantastic texture! You are a magician!!!
dido6
Gorgeous! The image is so clear you can almost touch those feathers. Beautiful capture!
tizjezzme
This is beautiful -- so soft and clear. VOTE
borsy
Excellent image, Danny!!!
bleachfix
You are giving your cam quite a workout...as well as sharing your treasures with us...Thank You! []/;^)
SophiaDeer
Excellent close-up!! A beautiful owl...excellent capture!
Tedz
I don't give a hoot .....ooh Wise One....but....Your Roman Sandal is undone :]
nongo
Brilliant capture, I'd really love to visit Eagle Heights too!! you're fortunate to be able to!! excellent work here Dan!!!!! Love it!!V
kennyliu
Cool shot!
logiloglu
awesome shot,Danny. simply perfect. vote #:O)
Punaguy
So soft yet so sharp! Beautiful colors in this barn owl. Wonderfully timed image!
kansas
Wonderful capture. Again, those lovely soft colors.
iaacf
Wow... I am speechless.. so beautiful. What more can I say ?
mikekron
Totally stunning! You get my vote!
sossy
wonderful and dreamy soft featherdress!!! gorgeous capture of this beautiful owl! perfect and outstanding POV and pose! awesome work! ;o)
i-popba
Amazing shot..!! very beautiful my friend..!!! V
Sekadhar
WOW! Fantastic! Pure beauty! Excellent shot:))!!!!
Apophis906
Oh thats such a pretty shot here,so close to this pretty owl. What a pose you caught. Excellent capture and job here.
Masema
wow, I'm truely awe-struck. Fabulous.
cynlee
i hear them at night from the balcony... such neat looking birds with the big eyes! excellent shot, want to reach out & touch the feathers :]
unstrung65
....exceptional -- beautiful photograph !!!!!!!!
NODROG69
Fabulous pose ~ love the colours on the wings.
RobertX
This is one of the best photos ive seen on this site
CarlosM
Splendid! The clarity; the shade; the moment of the caption...
DJB
I do not think I have seen such quality in an image such as this.It is touchable.A fav and a vote