By Gary Fong
Photographer: Steve Terlizzi
Exciting and informative pictures are for all to see. Boring pictures are for the depths of one’s hard drive.
Steve Terlizzi, noted Silicon Valley luminary and aspiring photographer, tends to lean on the boring side of the photographic interest spectrum…but every once in a while, he surprises me with a creative, throught provoking, unique image. This is not one of them.
Now for the Nit Picking
First let me say, his particular subject matter is cute, inventive, and relatively charming. Whatever is mentioned from here on, does not apply to the cute subject, but to the image-maker of the photo.
Where’s drama, where’s the emotion…bringing it down to the lowest common denominator….what’s the photo saying to us?
Wait and watch for something interesting to happen in front of the lens. It may not…but then again…it may…and usually does if one is looking for it. Sometimes, a casual mention to the subject of a fun activity or a suggestion to watch out for whatever may open up an opportunity for the optimum photographic moment.
It could be the changing light, the body language, or an unexpected happening that makes the picture sing. One must maintain focus, while watching and waiting for “the” moment.
If there were one positive element of the image, it’s the composition of the subject away from the center of the frame. If Steve centered the subject, the photographic interest spectrum number would be zero out of 10. Let’s leave him on a high note…good for not centering the subject.
