Welcome to BinningsPhotography.com - Photography Galleries by Arrian Binnings The Journey...
My name is Arrian Binnings and I have been trying my best to create photographic art since I was 14 years old. My passion for photography has grown out of being emotionally touched by others’ work. I always found it very easy to be moved by music. It can take you to far away places, put you at ease, excite, depress, and even send chills throughout your entire body. However, for the visual arts (such as photography), this reaction is much tougher to elicit. I find it a great challenge to create images that are not only striking, but have some sort of emotional impact. For me, an image is bland and lacks meaning if there is no emotion. So I’m always trying to convey some sort of feeling in my work, whether it’s energetic, melancholy, or just gratitude for the beauty of our taken-for-granted world.
I did not understand these things at age 14 when I first started shooting. I simply knew that photography had potential and that I wanted to be able to create cool photos. I made it my mission to invest in some “serious” camera equipment, so I could begin my journey. By age 15 I had saved up for my first SLR camera, a Nikon 6006. That camera represented a lot of yards mowed and leaves raked. The $750 purchase was big for me at the time, but that was indicative of how badly I wanted to create photographic artwork. I learned techniques from books, from admiring others' work, but mainly from experimentation. Developing film and learning by trial and error was quite an expensive hobby for a kid. The rate at which I learned was limited by what I could afford.
In the early 2000's, I purchased my first Digital SLR camera, a Canon 20D. Digital provided me with instant feedback, freedom, and flexibility that I had always desired. Because of the instant feedback and the fact that I didn’t have to pay for developing film any longer, I learned at exponential rates. I have great admiration for film photographers and for creativity in the dark room, however, its timing in my life and limitations made digital my preferred format.
After having a digital SLR camera for a while, and with no formal photography training, I realized that my results were just not congruent with what I envisioned in my mind. This was particularly frustrating. I had a lot to master. I turned to Photoshop to learn how to manipulate my photographs to compensate for being a mediocre photographer. Over time I became very skilled in Photoshop, all of which was self-taught. You’ll see in some of my older works that they are heavily manipulated… some of them so much that I would no longer consider them photography, but “pixelography”.
Nowadays, the scale has tipped back to getting things right while I'm in the field, as opposed to worrying too much about post-processing (or Photoshopping). I'm glad I have Photoshop skills and I use them, but I really limit my use to very simple things such as levels correction and tonal balancing (the things in the RAW editor, for you pros). Otherwise, I'm heavy into compositional experimentation, playing with light, HDR (high dynamic range) and experimenting with different lenses.
I like to shoot pretty much everything. Landscapes, architecture, people, macro, and anything else that catches my eye. Rays of light, shadows, silhouettes, night shots (long exposure), and atmospheric effects are my personal favorite things to shoot. People have always been difficult for me to photograph, but I’m starting to find a way. Funny how someone who wants emotion in their photos is not good at photographing people, but hey, that’s part of the challenge :-)
Historically, I go through periods where I am very actively shooting followed by long droughts where my equipment collects a bit of dust. However, I am trying to make it a point to shoot more often. Admittedly, I always felt like a big dork toting a tourist-style camera with me everywhere, but now I’m over it. I don’t care what others think anymore, so now I’m putting myself in more opportunistic situations. (Does that mean I'm all grown up now?)
As far as the process of shooting itself goes... I get a huge thrill out of capturing an image that has many layers of meaning. I also take pride in capturing moments, objects, or details that others don't notice or fully appreciate. When I am in the zone, I am incredibly focused and can find artistic opportunities pretty much anywhere. Other times, I struggle to get in the zone and experience something akin to writer's block. I’ve found the best way to plough through a bout of “photographer’s block” is to just keep shooting and it will come. One of the best lines I've heard about this (can't remember the source or I'd give credit), was "Aww, quit yer yappin' and get out snappin'."
Photography provides an amazing creative outlet and a consistent artistic challenge for me and I appreciate you taking the time to visit my galleries, and if you’ve done so, read this blurb.
May you always have peace, love, and happiness!
*January 2011 - Added a Nikon D7000 to the aresenal.
-Arrian Binnings
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**Ordering FAQ: To see pricing, click the "buy" button on the top right of any image. A window will pop up. Click the tabs on the top of the window to see pricing for prints and merchandise. To order Fotoflots or framed works, please contact me at arrian@binningsteam.com.
*** How to use the Map above: Click and drag the map until you see a place you want to explore. Click a little green icon to see my photography organized by geography. Curious as to how I got a certain angle? Find out using this map. Hint: Zoom ALL the way in. Go ahead, try it! Binningsphotography.com~Site InfoWhoisTrace RouteRBL Check
Ancient Macedonia History of Ancient Macedonia and the Ancient Macedonians. The distinctive ethnicity of
the Ancient Macedonians, separate from the Ancient Greeks. Ancientmacedonia.com~Site InfoWhoisTrace RouteRBL Check
the landmark ancient histories.com thelandmarkancienthistories landmark ancient histories com cover tif landmarkpanel herodotus arrian thucydides rgb jpg xencov events new reading scholars november xenophon alexander campaigns beginning editor marathon groups help editions information leading texts robert strassler victor davis hanson march monthly time readers Thelandmarkancienthistories.com~Site InfoWhoisTrace RouteRBL Check
