Photographs - An Artist's Pothole

I am not so sure I am a fine artist so much as I am a photographer. I take hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of photographs. Mostly to record something striking or unique or something to file away as reference material. And inevitably, someone sees a photo and asks …. ‘ will you paint that for me’. I try to explain it may be a lovely photograph but will not necessarily be a ‘lovely’ painting.  And I am having difficulty climbing out of this artistic pothole.

Case in point. This photograph was taken to record the range of reds of the Atlantic coast oak trees. The oak trees we have in Ontario turn a rust colour in the fall and I was struck by the reds of these oaks.  That was my only reason for the photo.....no feelings, no sensations, no thoughts of recording as a painting or sketch.  Sure enough; a request for this subject as a painting.

I have tried, and tried, and discarded numerous attempts. I cannot seem to stir the feelings necessary to commit this photograph to a painting and have decided I will not make any further attempts.

So tell me, how do other artists handle this type of situation. I would have loved to paint the canvas as requested; nor for any profit, but because a friend so wants this as a painting. I now will enlarge the photograph and they can do what they will with that.

Should I have been able to see a painting in this photograph? Can an artist always see a painting in a photograph? Nothing happens when I look at these crimson trees….except to say ….. ‘ well, look at the red trees’!

Am I missing a message here that I should see as a fine art artist?