A photo discussed on today’s “One Voice from Africa” show. My segment starts at around 30 minutes in. Listen here.

As is often the case, I am surprised by the selections a client makes for use in a project.  Isn’t my aesthetic sense the final word?  No way! Everyone has different appeals, and I am occasionally “too close to the sun” to see the light through others eyes.  This  lifeguard shack on the south side of the Santa Monica Pier has probably been photographed millions of times, maybe billions, I have no way of knowing, but usually from the other direction.  I had one day to photograph a “treasure hunt” of locations, and this location was the obvious conclusion to a long day of shooting.  I was fortunate to have a great sunset, because two days later we settled in for two weeks of rain.  Anyway, this was one of my favorite shots from that day.  I thought it was slightly clever facing away from the sunset (other direction in photo below) and the colors were amazing.  I must admit Southern California isn’t a bad place to be in December.  I think my wife (fortunately, an amazing assistant) and I were the only people looking in this direction at the pier location that evening, a situation I often find myself in, the photo salmon.  While most cameras were pointed in the other direction at the admittedly nice sunset, I was taking in the other worldly colors of the alpenglow.  This situation happens quite a bit, I am often running away from the obvious viewpoint (often through mud, and other gunky substances) to get a different perspective.  I doesn’t always pay off, but nothing ever does.

Fortunately, the photo didn’t mean anything to the client for this particular project, and I am left with a great outtake that I can use for whatever purpose I like.  Of course, I shot the the more traditional sunset too, and the client choose one similar to the attached version here. Despite the client not seeing eye-to-eye with my upstream vision, it’s all good.  I always give them what they want, plus what I like, and let them choose.  The reality check is always helpful.  I never want to get so inflexible that I can’t appreciate the perspective of others.  After all, you can’t swim upstream all the time.

A photo we discussed on last week's show.

Tune in tomorrow for episode two of “Behind the Lens” on One Voice from Africa with Kenneth Hieber. I’ll begin by discussing of all things, cameras. Yes, there are at least several hundred to choose from, and many categories within those choices. I’ll help get you started in the right direction for the type of photography and commitment you want to make on your next safari.  Show starts at 1PM PST and my segment starts around hour two. If you miss it, all the shows are available on demand after the live airing. Of course, you can download them from iTunes and listen at your leisure on that new iPhone or iPod somebody thoughtfully bought you this holiday season.

Kenneth Hieber of 2Afrika and I have been working on a number of projects over the last few years, and this is the latest.  Starting today, I will have a segment on his Blog Talk Radio show each week.  This is an exciting project as it allows me to share some of my experience with fellow travelers, and hopefully inspire others to start having their own adventures.  I will discuss equipment, techniques, etiquette, and much more each week.  The show is live every Tuesday at 1PM PST, and my segment starts at 2PM PST.  This is the beginning of a new dimension for Ewert Photography, and there is much more to come.

Below is the link to today’s show.  If you prefer to listen on your iPod or other devices, download it from iTunes for free.