This Is The Shot!

Random reflections of my favorite photographs throughout my career. Why I shot them, why I love them, why I think they work, and the stories behind them. Here are the images that, when I looked through my viewfinder, gave me that “This Is The Shot!” moment…

Model Port Update 1Model Port Update Hartford

While a student in art school a phrase I repeatedly heard my photo instructors emphasize was that before one could become a photographer, one has to learn to see.  Seeing, photographically speaking, is recongizing scenes compositionally, interactions between light and shadow, subcontexts of colors patterns, textures, etc. 

The person who most taught me to "see" was George Hurrell, in my mind, the greatest glamour photographer we've ever had.  I studied his work extensively as a student; his masterful manipulations of light and shadow, his tedious attention to detail, and his exceptional ability and understanding of how to portray mood and emotion to the viewer - unmatched to this day.

I do not, save for rare occurrances, emulate Hurrell's photographic style in my work, but traces of Hurrell's inspiration are alive in every shoot I do.  Loretta Young once commented, “We thought we were gorgeous because by the time HURRELL finished with you, you were gorgeous.”   I think of this quote everytime I view my subject, whether I'm shooting a family portrait, a model, or a wedding.  They all deserve the same.

The above shot is but one result.

What do you think? Do you think this is "The Shot?" Why, or why not? Feel free to comment.

If you would like to explore the opportunity for me to capture these moments for you, feel free to contact me through www.scottwittmanvisual.com, or at 920-205-4181. You can also like my new Facebook page and follow me on Twitter for the latest in updates and special offers.