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 (64)
escafeld
Fabulous reflections and the duck is just spot on! Excellent!
vlaaitje
such a wonderful colourful duck....love the water....and the feathers......mmmm what shall I say.....they are so GORGEOUS....I wnet also this afternoon to that park where my parents live, with a lot of gulls and swans..made some nice pictures, they came very close !!!! But to cold for hanging around there.....
Saurav
Reflections and light are excellent.
patmartj
Another stunning shot!
M_Moraitis
Thanks for the description of the species of bird...I wouldn't have known except that it was beautiful. Great closeup and I like the fact that I can not only see the eyes, but that hooked bill as well. The ripples in the water also make for a nice backdrop. Nice one Danny!
ascrazy
fantastic reflections on the water, superb shot:-)
diomedes66
Superb composition, wonderful clearity and depth! Bravo, well done!
nongo
Beautiful shot!!!!! We have the hooded merganser here and they are fun to watch!!!
1010
Amazing closeup. A very beautiful image!
TwoPynts
It detail on the Smew is unbelievable and contrast well with the swirly soft shapes of the water. Excellent capture and info!
RodolfoCiminelli
Wonderful photo my friend!!! I like the reflection on the water!!!
YohannR
WOW... this picture is so lovely I can't even find the right words for it...!!!!!!!! VOTE
Jay7347
Beautiful image...your ducks are prettier over there! The water reflections in the background are outstanding! -jay
vbarreto
Hey Danny, excellent post. Luv those water waves and the clarity of your image.
sharky_
Very interesting species and a very excellent picture. Aloha
Zacko
What a beautiful bird!!! Excellent capture!!!
MossSphere
This is brilliant. The clarity and sharpness of the image is breath taking! Excellent!
nathalie06
What a beautiful duck !!! and the reflection on the water is splendid. It's also a peaceful photography, one of the ones I loved. Ciao Danny, a presto. Nathalie
kansas
A wonderful shot of this unusual bird. I like the black around his eyes and the feathers at the back of his head. Thanks.
DJB
This is what I did yesterday.Ducks turn out nice with a D70.Never seen one like this before though. Awsome texture on feathers.Ripples do make it something too!
Stringy
Great subject and really nice work with those reflections. I was also fascinated by the little "mohican" on the back of the head.
zatman
Always wonderful photography Dan and the clarity is superb
nightiris5
great shot, the reflections are wonderful
Tedz
Wonderful Image ...showing what's New...with the Smew :]
kenwas
A most amazing shot. The softness and textures of the feathers has been captured in a remarkable way. Vote!
Haeberle
Perfect shot !
i-popba
Woww..!!! Wonderful work...!! cool composition and mood...well done.
ModestyB
Lovley Shot & birdie ;) Beautiful ripples and a splendid sharpnes.. Excellent work, Daniel!! Thanx 4 the info as well...Puss & kram
alvinylaya
Breathtakingly beautiful!
chantal-france
Superb creature and shot !! the colours, the POV and the light are perfect :)) V