I occasionally go back through my film files and "see how I saw". I have reinforced the idea that I had a latent ability to see "The Fine Art of Nature" before I truly became a photographer. The above image, "Foggy Forest Detail", is a prime example of a hidden gem found in my film archives. Early in my career I captured images (occasionally) that I now find to be outstanding, but I didn't pursue when I originally captured them. Perhaps I wasn't mature enough, or confident enough, to see the quality of the results I captured. I was moved to compose the image, but may not have understood the essence of my art at that point in time. Now I see!
As I've progressed in my career and grown somewhat comfortable with what moves me, I find it increasingly more effective to go back through my older film files and re-see images I created long ago. The reality is that, through years of experience, I've learned that the feeling that moves me to compose an image is the most important aspect of fine art photography. Granted, the finer points of composition I have honed over the years have enabled me to refine my images, but the most effective images are still based on how I feel the scene. As I'm finding in most of life's endeavors, simplicity and trust in what I feel are the required ingredients in a successful image.
So, as I look through my archives of film, I learn a bit about how my vision has progressed, and what I may have forgotten along the way. This makes me a better photographer in my pursuit of "The Fine Art of Nature". And, on occasion, I find a hidden gem that I now understand well enough to share with the world.
Enjoy the View!
Jon