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 (37)
marybelgium
Fantastic portrait ! very well captured !
pm_hackworth
Totally authentic looking except for the earring! LOL! Vote!!!
danob
Ear rings were once used for slaves or as a symbol of ownership and may have also been used during this time.. So the man informed me
gunsan
Superb portrait!
kenwas
Excellent character portrait.
zaberc
Beautiful authentic portrait !!!
WonderfulCreation
Great character :)
Michelle A.
Such a distinguished looking gentleman......
aangus
Brilliant depth and every hair in perfect focus. And with his expression...who would mess with him?
cricri99
Proud !! great shot..excellent
Tedz
Love this shot of dishevelment...salute...and a ...manly hugz
soulofharmony
sublime portrait.. love the historical theme.. sublime dan..:)...))))
nathalie06
Ciao Danny. An excellent portrait. I love the details of his bearb, and this man has a beautiful face. Thank you also for your comments on our post of today... Hugz.
Punaguy
Whew very nice here Danny, you've captured this gentlemen in such a pleasing light...Well done! Aloha~
tizjezzme
Now this is an interesting character. Nice photo!
1010
Charming, another fabulous photo.... ~V~
Sekadhar
Super! Charming old man! Excellent portrait!*****!
sharky_
Excellent Shot....WOW. Aloha
Tamela.J.
WOW Outstanding!!
nongo
Excellent portrait!!!!!! He looks so dashing!!!
SophiaDeer
Excellent! A true step back in time.
cynlee
wonderful character shot! :]
LICORNEDECRISTAL
superbe portrait!!!!
jimry
Superfine portrait Dan...he certainly does have character!
M_Moraitis
What a great face with lots of character...would love photographing him. ;)
ascrazy
superb portrait:-)
Enmos
Cool portrait work, awesome dof too !! Superb work !! :o)
RodolfoCiminelli
Fantastic photo of old times....!!! V
Akinom
Did you do a time travel? LOL Must have spent long time as the beard is grown a lot! ;o) Guess you know what I mean! Fantabulous portrait, Danny!
PhotoSmith
The clarity and composition of your work is world class. It's an inspiration to me.