Kevin Spargur Photography

A couple of the questions I have been asked quite often is "What compelled you to get into photography?" and "What has helped you most with taking photographs?"

The first is simple to answer and sounds almost like a cliche'. I have always liked photography. My earliest memories involve me and my cousins or friends playing with an instamatic I had and trying our hand at "Trick Photography." You probably remember doing something like it when you were younger.

You had your sibling walk off in the distance and the other stand there with hand extended, palm up, while you tried to get into a position where the photograph might remotely look like the one was standing in other's hand? One of my favorites involved attempting to do the same but using much bigger subjects such as some kind of vehicle or even a building.

Sometimes, we even succeeded in pulling off the stunt. I still have a photo around here of my older middle cousin "standing in the hand" of the my younger cousin. It was shot on a cloudy day with a little Kodak 126 Instamatic. It is so grainy but we were proud of what we managed to pull off. For that time period, back in the 1960s, it looked great.

Oh how I long for those simpler days!

Another thing that "compelled" me to get involved is actually two-fold.

First, I like recording events as I see them, history in the making, and creating images that stir feelings and emotions.

Second, I like being able to make people smile. Seeing their faces light up when memories of them with family & friends or at special events are seen in a visual medium that they hold dear.

THAT makes me feel like all of the effort put into creating those images was worth everything.

Sometimes, memories do deserve more than a snapshot!

The second question, "What has helped you most with taking photographs?" requires a little more detail and is going to lay the foundation for the next few articles.

Many years ago (around '81 or '82), when I was first getting involved with photography, I attended a workshop/seminar given by a somewhat well known (for that time) photographer. We developed somewhat of a friendship. One day, we were talking and he gave me some very good advise which I came to realize was applicable in many areas of my life and not just in photography. He told me the following:

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"Technically, there is nothing wrong with your shots. In fact, technically speaking, they are spot on. Here's the thing you need to realize if you want to improve... and succeed.

Stop calling your work pictures and start calling them photographs. It is called photography for a reason. You can 'draw' a picture but you CREATE a photograph.

When there is a change in perception, there can and often will be a shift in paradigm. Change the way you look at your work and the quality of your work will follow (i.e. change, improve). Others will then change the way they see your photos because they will see the change in you."

The first step in improving what you do is to improve your own perception.

When it comes to taking photos (pictures), many if not most individuals are only interested in flipping a switch, pushing a button and capturing something that closely contains what they were after. The only thing that really matters is that the device works and everything appears to be in focus. They maintain the same approach with their computers and cell phones... as long as it comes on and works, everything is great. However, acquiring and maintaining a simple understanding of the basics can go a very long way to improving both the memory and the quality of that memory. That little bit of "knowledge" can enable you to enhance and extend your ability and capability when capturing a specific memory is on the line.

If you think you might be interested in these upcoming topics... check back soon. I'll be posting some information that just might help capture that unrepeatable experience when the moment in time occurs.