The power of revisiting past portrait work with a fresh perspective.
In early 2021, my friend Heather and I decided to seize the opportunity presented by the forecasted fog along the American River and embark on a post-COVID photo shoot. Little did I know that this simple outing would teach me valuable lessons about patience, editing, and the importance of revisiting past work.
Our day began with excitement and anticipation as we ventured to the river's edge, cameras ready to capture the ethereal atmosphere created by the mist. We visited several different locations along the river, including a few wardrobe changes along the way. Time flew by as Heather, and I discussed the mood we hoped to capture before the low fog burned off for the day. We made good progress and managed to capture almost everything we set out to accomplish.
After selecting a few initial shots to share with Heather the following day, the sheer number of photos we took quickly became overwhelming. I struggled to make sense of it all during the sorting and editing process. Over the next few weeks, I tried again and I wasn’t connecting with the feeling I had on the ground while shooting the images. I set the project aside, unsure when I would have the time or clarity to revisit it.
Fast forward; Almost three years had passed before I stumbled upon these forgotten images while organizing my Lightroom files, prompting me to take a fresh look at our day along the river. In February 2024, I began editing the photos again. This time, instead of aiming for perfection, I focused on curating a cohesive set that captured the essence of our outing. After careful consideration, I narrowed the selection to several images that best represented the day as a whole.
Now edited and ready for presentation, these images serve as a testament to the power of revisiting past work with a fresh perspective. By taking the time to sift through the multitude of photos and approach the editing process with practicality in mind, I created a collection that I am proud to share with the world.
In conclusion, my experience with Heather and our Misty Morning Portrait Session along the American River in 2021 taught me the importance of patience and practicality in editing and presenting photos.
Over & Out,
Benjamin Fargen
Gear used on location:
Camera: Leica Q + Sony A7R2 + 85mm Zeiss Batis
Lightroom: B+W conversion and editing
Comments