About Photography
From time to time, I've been asked to portray
photographically someone's family or event such as a family
portrait, child, animal or the bride on her wedding day. It's
always been a pleasure to be chosen or selected to do these
things. It's like, from all the others, they choose me!
With years of dedication to my love and training, I must take
on the task of recording for all mankind this one time in
the subject's life for eternity and to last a lifetime for
so many to enjoy. More than likely, I will be forgotten long
before the portrait will be appreciated. But, that's my challenge!
These are a few things I've learned in the
past forty-plus years:
1. Expression: The most important thing
in the subject is expression. Without this the image or print
is going all down hill. A nice smile, a pleasant look, a resemblance
or good likeness of the subject's personality is a must!
2. Pose: This must be believable and everything must
harmonize within an allotted space and format of the printed
image.
3. Color: All colors must compliment the subject and
then must harmonize with the background. Background must not
detract from the subject, but rather compliment it.
4. Composition: I was told years ago "things that go
together, belong together". Filling the space is important,
but only if it gives meaning to the subject. Therefore, in
portraiture, it is the eyes, face, expression that should
be the brightest or sharpest in the composition.
5. Finish: Today in photography, we have many fine
finishes from which to choose, but the day of the handmade
print or prints made by the portrait artist or photographer
is almost totally lost. Many photographers never set foot
into a darkroom. Unfortunately, most send their work to a
lab looking for the lowest price. It seems the challenge is
how cheap they can get it and how much they can charge for
it. Somewhere, not only artistry is lost, but also our client's
loss. The old saying is still true today, "You get what you
pay for!" Quality is not cheap, only quantity. The chain store
photo studios have been here for a long time. Real photographic
artists have shared the spotlight also, but their portraits
live in our homes long after the chain store's fade or are
outgrown. Wall portraits embedded into canvas with a brush
texture are enjoyed for a lifetime.
As I look back over my forty-plus years as
a photographer and a time I almost walked away from this love
affair after my divorce, I have come to understand how important
this talent really is. How many people I meet still remember
that one split second of time before my camera when their
joy was captured for all to see!
The hours of time spent in my darkroom cropping,
composing, burning in, and the like, the last print; the hours
finishing my prints are all my rewards.
No one will ever convince me that I could have
done something more meaningful with my life! I've heard not
only praises, but in the last few years, some complaint of
price. However, these are always coupled with how well they
liked their portraits or wedding albums. Price, at some time,
will need to be addressed, but for now, my end result alone
with the ability to make a nice living, is all that's important
to me.
In CHOOSING an Image Maker, you are paying
for skill, material, quality and service! The COST of PHOTOGRAPHERS
is somewhat the same. Most times the better the ability of
the Image Maker, the higher the cost. With years of commitment
to my professional excellence, we will never compromise quality
for price, dollars for greed, truth for foolishness. We are
dedicated to a fair price for a good job!
Personally speaking, the end result is what
is important to me. "Whatever it takes is all I have to give
and whatever it takes is all I can give. For when my time
come to fall, I know that my Images will still be bringing
happiness and joy for others to enjoy throughout their life
and thatıs all any man could ask!"
With a love of Photography, I am willing to
accept a Photographic challenge offered me within the United
States to capture the personal or family portrait, pets and
animals of all types, along with public relations and annual
reports. You may contact me at From a Distance Farm where
I will gladly speak to you unless I am out riding my Golden
Buckskin Quarterhorse, Dun-a-Dee!
james Edgar Morgan, Photographic
Artist
Master of Light & Lens
Copyright 1999 james Edgar Morgan
From a Distance Farm
280 Beech Grove Road
Honesdale, PA 18431-9767
Ph: 570-253-2637 Fax: 570-253-9394
E-Mail: nanjim@socantel.net
