Comments on: What being a writer taught me about being a photographer

By: Chris Jones

Chris Jones — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 01:21:54 +0000

David, thanks for the opportunity to put into typing(!) what I’ve been working on for years. I’ve tussled with combining writing and photography for decades; combining what I think and what I see. I’ve waded through the philosophy of Heidegger and Emerson, the halls and galleries of academia and contemporary art, and the streets of many cities, ghosting Cartier-Bresson with my camera. And what I’m discovering common to both is just a few things: Technology – you can’t write or shoot without it. (And more and more, the technology here is Photoshop). The Moment – but only when the writing and the photography is Zen-like rapid and prepared for mountains of loss. The Spirit of Discovery, but only when the photographer is physically and mentally prepared – Cartier Bresson once said “You don’t take the photograph, the photograph takes you.” Tone: when you’re combining writing and photography into a picture, like Cezanne combining color; like Bach combining notes, each can coalesce in tone…. And finally, and most important I think, Feeling. This holds the written and photographed together from start to finish. But damn if it isn’t hard to hold! Thanks again!

By: How to tell a story in your photographs. | Santa Fe, New Mexico Children and Family Portrait Photographer - David Moore

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:49:28 +0000

[...] In one of my other lives, I’m a journalist and writer. I used to write for The Irish Times in Dublin, I’ve published a book of travel writing (it’s a lasting regret that it has no photographs in it, but at the time I was taking rubbish photos), and I now write for New Mexico Magazine and other places at times. (I outlined what I learned about photography from being a writer here). [...]

By: Chris Campbell

Chris Campbell — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:04:35 +0000

Thanks, David– a thought-provoking post, and very well-written! Often, when I write, (a story or poem, for example) I try to turn the subject into a clear visual image for the reader, using my photographic skills to think through the details of the subject as if viewing them through a lens– similar to what you describe in your post, only the other way around: using photography to help me be a better writer!

You have a very nice site. I envy your mastery of web technology and your tasteful linkage of WordPress and Photoshelter!

By: David

David — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:27:41 +0000

Thanks Romana for the kind words. I’m still feeling my way through this, and the blog post is a way to help me organize my thoughts.

By: Romana

Romana — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:57:53 +0000

Dear David, really significant post. As a magazine editor and a passion photographer i always try to combine images and words that speak the same language. It is like the same story but told through two different tools. You couldn’t have put it better. Thank you!