Nate Riggins
For me it’s this photo. Whenever I’m dealing with mental health issues, I picture myself in this photo. It’s my happy place in the Rocky Mountain National Park.
A shot that means something to you - the photographer
Posted by Nisah Cheatham on the Big Photo Hunt community board.
We all have shots that we connect with, even if print sales or social media seem to pay them no mind. These don't have to be heart wrenching, heavy moments or reasons, though if you feel comfortable sharing that, I'm very sure you will receive a supportive welcome at Big Photo Hunt.
Here's one of mine to set the expectations.
I was in Japan on business and weirdly enough the job site was nearest to Narita-Shi. There is a great large temple and grounds in the city that I randomly stumbled upon when I was out trying to get shots with a more small city/village feel. I found myself at this spot 180+ feet across a pond with only a 55mm lens and no tripod. Instead of using a small aperture, I shot wide open at f/1.8 knowing that there would be 90 ft of foreground that would be blurry. But I if cropped well, that blurriness would feel kinda like a long exposure. Except that I could shoot at a higher shutter speed and the wind in the trees and the slowly strolling people on the left wouldn't be blurry. It more or less worked as I saw it in my minds eye. No matter the "meh" responses I get when I post it, I'll always love it because it represents, for me, thinking outside of the box (photographically speaking) and trusting those wacky thoughts.
---
Post yours and write up why you think it resonated with you personally and what was going on at the moment of the snap, etc. Maybe just one photo per reply to give ample space to wax on poetically about stuff. 😎
Replies
Tony Kelts
I took this pic at Daytona Beach Shores. I edited it in different ways. I really like this edit but most people think it is overedited. I have been learning Affinity, in Linux Mint. So I wanted a very moody and dark pic of the beach and the motels. I like how this pic came out.
Stefan Crysell
This picture earlier this year really helped after going out down by the river and walking a few miles a day every da, after ten years of studying my patch when this barn owl turned up I was so happy but knew everywhere instantly where I wanted pictures.
Josh Hoffman
We'll there's many, but this one will always have a special place in my heart. It was one of my first photos I captured with my camera, the Nikon D3400. I was still very much in the experimental stage and very much learning manual mode, and I created this photo purely by experimenting and the luck of the moment. It has a very special place in my heart because I would it agrue that it's one of my first arguably good photos that I captured that I loved. So, it always serves as a good reminder of where and how far I've come in Photography, and it gets the spot of my first favorite photo I captured with my new camera at the time.
Hayley Flint-ahern
This is truly stunning work thank you for sharing this piece! Wow
Photos speak to my tendencies for sentimentalism and slight hoarder behaviour lol I love a trinket but moments I can capture and enjoy and keep forever is why I take photos. They’re all beautiful trinkets too haha
Photos speak to my tendencies for sentimentalism and slight hoarder behaviour lol I love a trinket but moments I can capture and enjoy and keep forever is why I take photos. They’re all beautiful trinkets too haha
This shot is probably one of my best wildlife photographs I’ve ever taken. Wild New Forest pony she was so beautiful and had such a tangible spirit and knowing that I was captivated for so long
Mark Thompson
The photo that means the most to me ?? .... thats a hard decision. I have over 40,000 photos saved, they all mean something to me otherwise I wouldnt of kept them - and I have deleted a lot of photos!
Being self taught I guess this photo was the one that stands out for me. I am fortunate enough to live near one the countries best bluebell woods where a magical transformation happens for a few weeks every year. Always used to go up with the family for a walk around a snap a few photos, but one year I decided to go up there early on my own to see if I could take some 'proper' photos.
Being woodland surrounded by larger trees and hills, I totally go the sunrise time wrong and arrived when it was very dark.
I had the woods to myself, apart from the occasional deer and I'm not sure who scared who more!
As the sun came up I found myself in the most peaceful place I have ever been, surrounded by beauty.
This is my favourite shot from that trip.
Every year now I go the bluebell woods (I there are four I visit), I always go very early and enjoy the peacefulness, the photography is just a bonus.
Lee Churchill
This shot is special to me, this shot marks the moment I decided to make urban and street photography my main focus in photography, 18 months on I’m so glad I made that decision
Sarbajit Chakraborty
This one - my first day out after getting the new camera, and first time trying out street photography. Not perfect, but I loved this moment between a mother and her daughter
Ralph Berrett
Here are three shots that have meaning for me.
The first is a glamour shoot involving an Oakland Raiderette. I was going through burnout from shooting too many dead bodies. I covered a lot of homicides and accidents. The second is one I did for commercial work that took a lot of work and planning, and the last is a very powerful moment.
Caleb Rome
i was raised jewish, so definitely not christian in any other sense than jesus was my homeboy... but when i saw this, the sun being lowered onto a cross, i can certainly say it was accompanied by an intense feeling of pneuma.
Will Pratney
I like the theme!
Here are 3 from a very memorable time for me. I free climbed about 5 stories up the boulders over-looking Lake Powell on the Utah / Arizona border on a solo trip I did to that area after hiking half the Grand Canyon (North ridge to Bright Angel Creek and back up again next day). I had a wonderful time up there near Page amongst the rocks. The first shot is proof that I reached and lounged on from what I could tell was basically the highest point on the rock, showing not only how high up it was but what kind of walk it was from the road through the desert to get there. In the distance, between my all-terrain hiking sandals you can just make out my rental car (the PT Cruizer in the middle). The second shot shows Lake Powell in the distance, and the third a timer shot self-portrait. I used a point & shoot compact Canon Elph Jr. with Advantix APS film to take these.
Nisah Cheatham
@[Nate Riggins](9b83f1a3-a802-40bd-b214-d2f84c0bdb22) I love that! I also find a lot of positive mental health in photography. Great moose capture too.
Nisah Cheatham
@[Tony Kelts](05e3dfe8-455d-4b9a-a08d-8a6b97e33ed4) Stormy beach skies are so dramatic. Oddly, I've always found some issue in the ones I've managed to capture. 🤷🤦
Nate Riggins
@[Nisah Cheatham](cf53a09d-1eb6-45e0-b529-06e3bf21aaf4) thanks
Nisah Cheatham
@[Josh Hoffman](7f25acc7-5680-460d-aefe-b2337639adef) That's cool! It was an experiment, but it was intentional. Those are the best kind.
I think I need to identify my 1st favorite shots per camera. ...and you're right - it's good to look back at where we've come.
If one has been shooting for any time at all, there will be a lot of "special" shots. Thanks for sharing!
Nisah Cheatham
@[Stefan Crysell](57733804-2684-4cfd-82d2-df7dcc95b6f5) I thought I replied, but now I'm not seeing it. 🤦
I love the warm tones on the front edge of the owl. There is something ethereal to the composition too.
There is something wonderful about retreading the same path and learning its details. You find deeper stories.
Josh Hoffman
@[Nisah Cheatham](cf53a09d-1eb6-45e0-b529-06e3bf21aaf4) Yeah, you totally should. I think it would be cool post to the board too see your favorite shots per camera or if anything would be a cool way to look back down memory road. I agree, I have lots of special shots. That's why it's hard to pick just one. You're welcome.
Stefan Crysell
@[Nisah Cheatham](cf53a09d-1eb6-45e0-b529-06e3bf21aaf4) thank you so much. It was such a pleasure to see and i have only seen this owl twice more, So it makes capturing moments like this even more magical.
Stefan Crysell
@[Mark Thompson](0666c39b-e58b-493e-8485-93b14e56af0e) very nice i live near some lovely bluebell sites too! Such a thing to see! i will capture a fox or deer in the blue one day!Spot the albino
Nisah Cheatham
@[Hayley Flint-ahern](82d0a8ab-3fa2-47f0-b8e7-69dc32871621) Connecting to the spirit is such a great accomplishment. When you look back at this photo, you heart goes right to that moment. I've had such moments, but NOT being a wildlife photographer, they remain fleeting memories.
Thank you for sharing Hayley! 🙏
Nisah Cheatham
@[Lee Churchill](0f1c77d6-bdd1-4129-944e-500e5a1d3791) It awakened something in you to go chasing light and shadows in the nooks and crannies of the city! I like the deep darks and that kiss of light and texture.
I have a lot of placeholder shots that represent something I want to explore further, even if that shot wasn't something I think needs posting - like these three. The first is playing with DoF and foreground bokeh. The second, I was trying to shoot thru a grimy L station window and align a person on the window pane cross. The third, I was seeing how swirled I can get the shot my manually twisting the camera during a slowish (1/15 sec) exposure. Each misses the mark but I keep them around to remember to experiment.
Nisah Cheatham
@[Stefan Crysell](57733804-2684-4cfd-82d2-df7dcc95b6f5) The sun rays and the albino bluebells are perfect! Was this a scene you just happened upon, or did you notice the albinos and come back at the right time of day?
Nisah Cheatham
@[Mark Thompson](0666c39b-e58b-493e-8485-93b14e56af0e) Well - no one said a photo that means the most to you. I was distinctly trying not to make it seem that weighty of a question. 😎
This shot pure magic! ✨
Sometimes the mistakes end up leading to the best breakthroughs! The photo instantly transports me to this place (though I've never been anywhere like it). I can easily see how it refuels you by just being there.
Stefan Crysell
@[Nisah Cheatham](cf53a09d-1eb6-45e0-b529-06e3bf21aaf4) hey a bit of both really I noticed a few albinobells and just positioned myself around to see what would happen...I did go back for a few retries tho secretly hoping to see a fox or deer
Lee Churchill
@[Nisah Cheatham](cf53a09d-1eb6-45e0-b529-06e3bf21aaf4) love these shots, you have a good eye
Nisah Cheatham
@[Sarbajit Chakraborty](185b0ac5-48af-471d-98e2-3c6a6602decc) Its a great moment! 1st day out with new camera seems to be a theme.
Nisah Cheatham
@[Ralph Berrett](ed0d35cf-31b3-4406-ab3b-5087b32c2f89) I can't imagine covering accidents and homicides. 🫣
I can see why a glamour shoot would be a welcomed relief!
Nisah Cheatham
@[Caleb Rome](a68caa62-fe14-4b95-8cf1-2ceb63c38137) When the light hits just right, the photo feels meant to be. Great capture!
Barbara Glenn
@[Ralph Berrett](ed0d35cf-31b3-4406-ab3b-5087b32c2f89) All so well done. The last one jerked at my heart.
Caleb Rome
@[Ralph Berrett](ed0d35cf-31b3-4406-ab3b-5087b32c2f89) strictly out of curiosity and certainly not because i have a strong stomach and feel like thats a high-turnover kinda gig....
how does one get into that sort of photography?
Will Pratney
@[Mark Thompson](0666c39b-e58b-493e-8485-93b14e56af0e) That's beautiful!