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 (51)
TwoPynts
Oh man, that is excellent. I love that drop...and the red beak against the greenish water. Lovely, I just wish the beak could have been in focus a bit more. Wonderful photo!
pjaj
Beautiful capture here Danny!! Excellent work!!
Sekadhar
WOW! Most wonderful!!!
chioru
beautiful :-)
CDBrugg
And of course Europeans thought that black swans were mythical for centuries...
Jay7347
Beautiful Danny ...just beautiful! -jay
gunsan
Looks almost unreal, excellent shot as usual! Love that waterdrop!
GiMi53
Fantastic portrait : Swans are the stars of this gallery ! :~)
b2amphot
What a capture... love how you captured the arched neck... and the drop of water is an absolute stroke. Wonderful shot.
kansas
A gorgeous bird. I've never seen a black swan close up like this. Beautiful head and neck. You even caught that drop of water!
Lledeline
Very beautiful.
YohannR
Very gracious bird...!!!
kenwas
One of the most beautiful of creatures. Excellent work.
vlaaitje
such a wonderful bird.....and also wonderful black feathers.....I never post a black feather....droplets like tears....especially that one that falls in the water...it could be a tear from my eyes....and I know you keep an eye on me....xx
escafeld
A wonderful capture. Excellent!!!
warrenpiece
The feathers look fantastic,is this guy shedding a tear for the ugly ducklings he left behind
iaacf
Wow... even without the drop in the water this picture would be outstanding.. now it is perfect !!!!
Punaguy
So colorful and rich in clarity and detail...Still learning with the new lense but you show me what can be done...Well done mate! Aloha!
sharky_
Very Beautiful capture. Also, like that little water drop rebounding back in the air. Perfect timing. Aloha
SoulSearcherr
wow..this is simply....stunning
diomedes66
Marvelous composition with perfect colour saturation and detail. Very well done!
tizjezzme
Excellent! Man, you even capture a drop of water crash landing below his beek. You're amazing. Fabulous shot here; gorgeous swan!!! Perfect photo!
nongo
If the swan wasn't fantastic enough, the droplet puts it way over the top!!!!! Brilliant capture!!!
glix70
Wow!!! I never seen pne black and looks like a king of beauty!!! Incredible details and colours!!! I love the water game in the foreground!!! VOTE :)
cynlee
awesome shot danny right down to the little spalsh :]
kennyliu
Simply cool... love that drop!
gallimel
the grace of this beauty is immense.
WandM
Impressive and wonderful photo!
Akinom
Such intense colours and elegant pose... a beauty! Love that lil splash! Excellently done, Danny!
tony_br22
Fantastic image .. and that you could capture this drop of water just after impact is incredible. Such a beautiful photo of this bird. Very professional done :-)