Howard Moo Young, Sunday Gleaner writer

photos by howard moo-young

"Photography is a form of communication which doesn't need translators or interpreters," explains Eva Rubinstein. "It is a universal language." Presenting a body of work may seem easy, self-indulgent and justifiable because of your passion for your images, but to step out of the usual stream and show your personal vision is, in fact, one of the most demanding elements. In my recent exhibition, 'Howard Moo Young gone Bananas', I wanted to show the banana leaf from a totally different angle and create images of a different kind and affect the viewer with my personal point of view. The sizes, shapes and quantity of the final prints were not the important factor, but for others to be exposed toa rather mundane subject, captured with my camera from my perspective.

Ansel Adams believed, and I totally agree with him, that within every artist lies the creative spirit. William Neill, another photographer writes, "The essence of artistry in photography is expressing your own perspective as deeply as possible ... by pushing yourself to make creative images." Lighting, texture, colour and composition can come together in a matter of seconds creating a mood, a photographic opportunity, if lost, will never be seen again. This is why, as photographers, we must learn to look at every minute detail around us, grass, flowers, leaves, clusters of sand shifting in the wind, the sea billowing in spurts of giant sprays against the rocky cliffs or the morning mist rising from the Rio Cobre in Bog Walk. No words can convey the moods of these cherished moments.

Creative spirit

Whether we shoot pictures on colour or black and white film, colour transparencies or with a digital camera, one important factor remains, the creative spirit within each and every photographer to reach his or her viewpoint rather than mimic others. We cannot be narrow-minded in our photographic tastes, but we can learn from each other's points of view and the importance of personal vision.

It is difficult to imagine a world without photography. 'The camera never lies,' said someone soon after its invention, and we all accept the evidence it offers our eyes, even in a court of law. Yet we are aware that today, photographs can be manipulated with the use of the computer. A 1983 camera advertisement read, "Focus-and-shoot automation that enables anyone to get great pictures on their first try." Believe it? Great advertising copy! But how many really accomplish this on their first try? Your guess is as good as mine.

One of the popular assumptions in art is that, traditionally, the artist has been able to exert some kind of control over the process. This means that the result is the product of imagination and the skill to translate it. However, in the medium of photography, such astraightforward connection does not always hold, and a photograph can have power without the full intention of the photographer. There are other occasions though, when the machinery of photography takes over, or at least deserves much of the credit for a strong image.

Winning image

Take the image of the 'Cuban Nun' for instance, in which I captured the photograph of a ghostly figure of a nun crossing the interior of a Cathedral in Old Havana. I did not even see her, I thought there were 'none' in Cuba, forgive the play on words intended. But there I was, concentrating on taking an architectural photo with my camera without a tripod, set at 1/60 second. I braced myself against a column, held my breath and pressed the shutter, all of a sudden the figure of a person crossed the path of my lens and I knew instantly that I had captured on film, a winning image.

The early morning mist in Bog Walk has always impacted on me everytime I happen to pass at that time of day.

This perfect setting created the mood I needed for my image 'Misty Morn in Bog Walk'. I had positioned my camera on my tripod waiting for just the right amount of clarity to create the photograph I wanted. The giant egret was positioned at the perfect spot and as I carefully zoomed in and out to compose and try to focus through the mist, I waited for the bauxite train to cross the bridge. It actually came after the picture was taken, but the fog had lifted then. The quality of this photograph had fooled many viewers into thinking it was a painting.

I love flowers and looked forward to the first blooms of Morning Glory that I planted on my backyard fence. The image 'Glory to God' creates a feeling of giving thanks to the creator. I picked out a perfect specimen against a dark background positioned vertically, the soft back-lit light created an inner glow creating the mood I wanted. My macro lens and my tripod did the rest that early morning in my garden.

Recording 'Skyward'

I was given the assignment to design all the signage for the Guardian Life Centre on Trafalgar Road. As I visited the site one Sunday morning, free from the usual traffic, the lighting conditions couldn't have been better. Armed with my camera and zoom lens, the towering glass structure against the deep blue sky made an impact on my inner vision, especially when I attached my polarising filter. As I composed the image carefully, a white cloud appeared and 'Skyward' was recorded on colour transparency film.

One of my favourite images 'Gleaner Bicycle' was taken in Falmouth, Trelawny about 18 years ago. While journeying back to Kingston, a burst of colour caught the corner of my right eye. I stopped the vehicle, reversed, pulled up the emergency brakes with the engine running, jumped out with my camera and took the three frames, exactly the way you see it.

It remains a favourite of many, having printed in on various mediums and in several sizes.

another unusual image

'Lovers', another unusual image from my banana leaf series, has created quite an impact on many viewers who visit my recently mounted photography exhibition. This is a picture of two different leaves creating the illusion of a couple about to embrace each other. Personally, I always try to do as I can within the confines of my camera before I take the final image including cropping, composition, lighting and exposure. I try not to use artificial lighting outdoors if I don't have to.

With the advent of the digital camera, I find that many photographers spend less time on the basics of good picture taking, believing that the computer can correct almost any mistake with photoshop. Trying to do this after the photograph is taken, is far too time consuming, and with all the pixels in hand and the latest programmes in the computer, it all boils down to one conclusion, a photograph is either good or bad. I don't believe in the quantity of frames taken but the quality of each frame that I take.

I would rather give a photo editor the difficult task of choosing from a great collection of images, rather than trying tofind a decent image from dozens of badly taken photographs without any impact whatsoever. As photographers, we need to take time out and go back to basics, create self-assignments, take a long look at where we are heading, forget the stresses of life, become one with nature and rediscover our long lost passion and love for the art we once enjoyed.

As Henri Cartier-Bresson said in 1968: "Photography is an instantaneous expression of the world in visual terms, and a perpetual guest and interrogation". The camera is an admirable instrument for seizing upon life as it presents itself. A photographer must always work with the greatest respect for his subject and in terms of his point of view. That is my personal attitude; consequently, I have a marked prejudice against " arranged" photographs and contrived settings.

Howard Moo Young is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts, New York, is an advertising, graphic design and photography consultant with over 40 years' experience. Email: mooimages@yahoo.com.