Orlando, where Photography goes to Die...

Shot on Leica ME, Zeiss 50mm at f/2 and ISO 800.

Ok, massive overstatement but it does underline my feeling about Orlando. With three kids we go there often, and love the parks, people and the international feel with all the visitors. It is a wonderful place to go for a visit however it is very limited in terms of photography options.

I have seen articles written (such as this one HERE) which attempt to give people ideas on possible subject matter in visually boring places. While you can always capture an image or two of interesting subject matter, I would argue that the 'hit' rate is so low in some places that you are better off not trying. Everyone likes to quote Robert Capa "if your pictures are not good enough, you are not close enough'. I would argue that if your pictures are not interesting enough, you may not be in an interesting place...

Most would agree that a train trip across India, a hike in the alps or a simple walk down a New Your City street all provide ample opportunities to capture interesting things. A trip into London and I can burn ten rolls of film and have few that I do not consider 'hits'. It is a target rich environment....sort of like shooting fish in a barrel. It is easy to capture something interesting. 

Many will argue that you can focus on details, try macro photography and you can always photograph people which can be interesting anywhere.  All of this is true however when every shot I take is of a detail or of a portrait the muse in me packs up and goes home.

The pictures I am showing here are some nice shots but they are pictures of other people's works of art. They are copies in which I brought precious little. I do not mind taking these pictures but I do not fool myself into thinking that this is legitimate photography. Taking a picture of a flower and applying a filter or ten to it does not really make it art.

So I will continue to struggle with this and maybe get another couple of images worth saving before going home.  But if I do not, I will still enjoy the trip as we have encountered good people, great food and a good deal of fun.   

Casablanca movie scene recreated. Shot Leica ME, Zeiss 50mm f/2 at 800iso.

Stormtrooper's helmet shot with a Leica ME, 50mm Zeiss at f/2, 800iso.