I just finished David's last book which I consider to be the third book of his comprehensive modern version of Ansel Adam's: "The Camera", "The Negative", and "The Print". I didn't read Ansel Adam's books but I am sure they would apply even in today's digital age, the tools have changed but the outcome is the same... A work of art.
David's true third book (VisionMongers) is on how to make it as a professional photographer and make an earning at it. Which is why I don't consider it part of his actual triptych and I have yet to read it. I am considering making the jump from amateur to professional, but to David there is an extensive discussion on what the definition of a professional is, that can be applied to any chosen profession. What truly makes a professional a professional. I am a controller of a school division my profession requires strong management and business skills. However when I am assuming the role I am not a different person. I would think the same would apply when you consider yourself a professional photographer it comes naturally and you don't sense being different or superior to someone who is just starting out in their profession.
There might not be strong similarities between David's books and Ansel's books but David's approach provides a step by step thought process into the photographic process the same approach Ansel took during the writing of his books. Judging solely on Ansel's book titles I can only guess it might be more on the technical side of photography with some artistic insight thrown in for good measure. Ansel was perfecting his craft while David is using the tools at his disposal to make an artistic statement with his own unique Vision while Ansel was doing both at the same time.
David has a strong following and readership. After reading his books and his blog it's easy to understand why he has such a strong readership. He is well grounded and takes a simple approach to his craft and has the ability to communicate his knowledge of his craft in a unbiased approach without too much jargon. The point of his discussion is the end product and the thought process used to arrive at the end product. Occasionally there will be some technical minded people who will make comments on his blog that steers the conversation to an area that has little impact on the intended outcome.
Like most artists learn enough about the craft and the language so that you can communicate through your photographs. The technical aspect of photography is only to get us there. In fact like most technologies that hasn't matured yet it is constantly changing. To quote David it's not about the gear. But having the latest gear helps you communicate through your photos more effectively and give you the ability to realize your vision.
I purchased my first camera at 16 years of age, even back then I knew I had found something I enjoyed so much I had to buy a SLR. Working on a farm in Northern Alberta I had an eye for things natural. I had some exposure no pun intended, on doing the entire photographic process from the camera to the negative and finally the print when I took photography in high school. I never thought of photography as an art form when I was learning it, I was more concerned learning the technical. I was stumbling along taking pictures like most users of a camera to document life as it unravelled.
Things have changed technology wise but the exposure formula ISO vs F-Stop vs Shutter Speed exists today. Stating the obvious but there are still people who use professional DSLR's and are still using the automated.
I have to thank David helping me in refining my own vision and my quest to find my own vision. Reading David's books provides a boost of motivation to keep pursuing the refinement of this goal. I don't think any one person truly reaches this photographic nirvana as a person changes through life experiences and a person's vision changes along with it.
Thanks David for delivering materials on a topic that is hard to put into words.
Listing of David duChemin's photography books available on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/David-DuChemin/e/B002BLWN56
Mike Le Photographe
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