Who doesn’t like to be comfortable? In photography however, comfort doesn’t always spell success.

Fresh, okay.. not the right word...exhausted... after two weeks of four-hour-a-night sleeps, walking a million miles carrying my heavy gear and spending much of my time on my knees (can’t block the delegates view) on the floor of both the Democratic and Republican Conventions, I’ve edited the finals and put something together for digitaljournalist.org which goes live on Sunday, as well as my own website.

Out of focus: Cindy McCain. Photo Copyright Steve Simon

I didn’t “have” to get anything since I was doing my own look at these conventions, but that kind of photographic freedom is a blessing and a curse. I ended up working extra hard because, though I had a rough idea of what I was trying to convey, I really didn’t know for sure and I wanted to let serendipity be my guide.

I met Magnum photographer Bruce Gilden who was covering his first political convention and aside from being a photographer I’ve admired for a long time, he’s also a super nice guy.

Gilden was traveling sort of light: a Leica M6, 28mm lens, Vivitar 285, black and white film.... and his 175 pound assistant.

“I’m comfortable shooting film. I’m getting a D700, which I will look at for commercial jobs. I’m not technical or into technology, so I stay with what I’’m comfortable with. For me, digital takes away the element of surprise. When I don’t see the result right away, you persevere, going the extra nine yards, which pushes me to get something better.” said Bruce.

What he said resonated with me. Work a little harder and be rewarded with better pictures.

It’s hard to resist checking out that last shot you think you might have got, but I’ve always felt stopping to see what you did, was kind of like a cell phone going off in a movie, it takes away your concentration; takes you right out of the picture.

Also on the comfort level, as much as I know better and say it to others, it is sometimes hard for me to get out of that zone of comfort. I often shoot from standing position, maybe a little too far away. I have to remind myself constantly to move out of that zone; get low, get high, get in their face.

I did have a little fun when my autofocus was searching. I noticed how cartoonish the out of focus stage shots were and purposely tried a few. Love them or hate them, they were out of my comfort zone, and that reminder to myself makes me like them a little bit more.

Out of focus Joe Lieberman. Photo Copyright Steve Simon

If you happen to be in the New York City area on Sunday Sept 14, come see my presentation at B & H Photo, 1-3pm.