In recent years, I have photographed this black willow tree in New York’s Central Park several times, and from different angles and perspectives. Although I had tried many times before, I could not see how to transform any of these images into a photograph that came close to the one that I had in my mind. I lacked the vision to transform the raw image data that the camera captured into the photograph that expressed my feelings for the subject.
I recently returned to my photos of this tree and chose one image to work on. This time I was able to make a print that pleases me. So, I must ask myself, what changed? What caused the breakthrough that enabled me to how to process the raw image into this more personally expressive photo? I am not sure, exactly, but I think it was a combination of inspiration and improved technique. I am constantly looking at the work of other photographers, and I especially enjoy watching videos showing how photographers edit their photos to achieve their vision. Although my vision may be different, the thought processes involved can be similar, and I am sometimes inspired to try new ideas. In addition, I have also been honing my skills with my chosen editing tools, Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.
When exploring Central Park, I often use an app called Central Park Entire on my iPad. It uses an interactive map to identify the park’s features, including most of its 20,000 trees. Here is how the app’s author, Ken Chaya, describes a black willow: “Unlike other willow species, the Black Willow is often a multi-trunked tree, crooked and somewhat disheveled in appearance. What it may lack in grace, it makes up for in girth, as it is our largest native willow.” He then cites this black willow as an “enormous and outstanding specimen.”
I hope I give it the respect and attention it deserves.