Existentialism and photography
What gives your photography and for that matter your life meaning? Is it God, Family, Shopping, Money, Work, Fame, Football or Twilight fan fiction? You might already have your own purpose in your life that gets you out of bed in the morning, or you might be reading this post in hopes that you find meaning in your photography. Everyone strives to have meaning in our lives, and no one would consider this a fault in one's drive if you got up every morning in order to find it. We all crave it, and some of us even need a meaning to keep going. So how do we make our lives meaningful? How is existentialism and photography related?
Start producing and stop consuming
Today I went out into the streets to create some images and I noticed everyone was going to stores or holding shopping bags, then something hit me. All this consumption is selfish and unproductive. We need to start producing and stop consuming. Create content that helps people and gives value beyond just material possessions.
I don't want to be another Instagram photographer
I don't want to be another Instagram photographer because your images are only seen in the context of a social media feed. The images on Instagram are pathetic when compared to the printed equivalent. Even seeing a photo essay on a website or blog is better than Instagram. So why am I against the grain with this so called platform for photography?
Success in photography
What does success in photography really even mean? It might be to make a living at photography or to get 10k followers on Instagram. Or perhaps you want to become a part of the Magnum photographers agency. But when we take a closer look at the dictionary meaning of 'success' the meaning is open. So what does it really mean to become a success in photography?
All you have is time
All you have is time. Time is everything, time is money, time is a memory, time is relevant. In physics, time isn't a measurement, but in our lives and in our photography it's how we capture the human condition. If all we have is time, what are you going to capture with yours?
How do I find my photography style?
Finding your personal photography styleSo how do I find my photography style? Let me tell you that finding your personal photographic style is like finding Zen or the Holy Grail to photographers, it rarely happens with a quick 15-minute tutorial. For a lot of photographers, it can be a never ending struggle. I have found the key that unlocks the door to your photography style. This door, or should I say process and formula isn’t for everyone, but it worked for me and it might fast track the journey for you.
Motion in photography
Motion in photography is largely overlooked when taking a photograph in the respects of freezing time. We can do it by multiple exposures, using a longer shutter or capturing a gesture. Be it a bird, or sports figure mid-air. For me, motion in photography is captured through longer shutter speeds which record movement, a moment, or emotion expressed through abstraction. Let's dive a little deeper into how you can incorporate motion into your photography.
Interview with David Paul Larson
David Paul Larson is a man who knows what he wants and dosesn't wait around for it to happen, rather he's the kinda man who goes out and gets it. Talking to David I learned that no matter your situation if you want something, it's up to you to make it happen. It takes work, motion, commitment, drive and passion, not just one, but all these qualities to get your desired result.David spends his time doing what he loves, and that is filmmaking and photography. He turns his lens towards what he loves and interests him, people. Looking at his work, you realise he's not afraid to get intimate and be in the moment. He has a way of getting a photograph that captures what he's looking, admiring and appreciating right in front of him that is uniquely his.
What existentialism taught me about life and photography
From the philosophers, Jean-Paul Sartre & Albert Camus I've found myself questioning everything in my life regarding existentialism and photography, passion, knowledge, devotion & skill over the past two years, soul searching if you will. What I've learned is there is no purpose or meaning to something unless you give it one. Essentially existentialists believe that an individual has and can control their own free will to choose and act. People make decisions based on what has meaning to them, rather than what is rational. What I mean by this is if your photography makes you happy, then it makes you happy because you give it value and purpose in your life, and that it is of your own free will that you give photography these values.
Interview with Rachel Claire
Rachel Claire is a person who is passionate about the experiences that come with travel and what broadens your horizons. To open yourself up to new people and moments that turn into memories. Memories that can shape you into who you are and give you a place of hope in times of need.She believes that it's the people around you that make you who you are. She’s a photographer who believes that we are always changing and learning to become a better individual. When I got in contact with Rachel I felt her enthusiasm right away, with arms wide open. Her values, work ethic and views on life shine through her photography. From the temples in Cambodia, Egypt and Lybia to the place she calls home, in Western Australia. Rachel's work has the feeling of humbleness, capturing moments in time that share stories you want to be a part of.
The number one challenge
One camera, one lens, one film/preset, one year. The number one photography challenge is as simple as that, and at the same time incredibly difficult as well. This challenge at the end of it, promises to change your approach and style as a photographer. I originally got the idea from David Brommer and tweaked it a little. Originally the idea was to find your style but I turned it into a way to simplify a photographers workflow, style and life.
Camera fundamentals
This little post is for anyone new to photography and camera fundamentals. I will be covering the basic three fundamental functions of a camera. Every camera on the market uses Shutter speed, Aperture and ISO to control the amount of light recorded. Let's dive a little deeper into each of these functions and look at the unique qualities these settings bring to your photograph.
The only camera I need
They say the tool isn't as important as the craftsman holding it, but it sure does make their life easy when its a good one. I've gone through my fair share of cameras and brands before I finally stumbled upon my camera of choice the Leica M, my Zen camera. Because holding it and using it becomes so peaceful and intuitive. I know every dial, button and movement. The camera really becomes an extension of your hand and eye. I can't explain the feeling you get when using a Leica M, it's addictive. Having a tool that makes my life easy and helps me work more effortlessly, is Zen to me.
What Magnum photographers have taught me
What Magnum photographers have taught me and what I never noticed till now about Magnum photographers is how raw their photos are. The don't sugarcoat or glamorise anything. No fancy filters or post processing. Just raw images. I always thought to myself, their images aren't innovative in terms of technique, but rather captivating because of the subject matter and stories they are documenting. So what goes into making a great photograph?
How to start in street photography
Why I only use one lens
Why I only use one lens, well after many years of experience using different lenses, I now have resorted to only using a single prime lens. I started with a 50mm then added an 85mm, 35mm, 100mm and 28mm to my collection, and I’ve played around with zoom lenses. But now I exclusively use a 50mm lens. No more zooms and no more choices. But why would I volunteer to limit myself?
10 ways to develop your photographic style
First find your zen camera or the model of camera, like the Canon 5D, Leica M, Fuji X100. Whatever it is, find that one camera you love to use, and shoot with it exclusively. In doing this your images will always have a consistent look and feel when it comes to your body of work and long term projects. It's hard to find that perfect camera that's right for you. But once you find a model you enjoy holding in your hands, pressing the shutter button and overall feel, it will liberate you. Once you have a camera that gives you everything you need and nothing more, you have found it. Find your zen camera and only photograph with it, never stray away from it.
Find your Zen camera
When I talk to people about gear, what they think they need, want or have, I find that it consistently changes from person to person. Most peoples dream camera changes from year to year. So how do you get over Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S) and find your Zen camera?
10 minimal artists you should know
Picture yourself looking at a landscape or a painting of one or two colours and you say to yourself this isn't art, I could have done that. You roll your eyes and think to yourself there is no skill, craftsmanship or story here. But you would be missing something very important if you left it at that. First off I'm not talking about minimalism as a lifestyle choose of tidying up. I'm talking about art at its most raw, simplest form.
Stop ripping off Michael Kenna
To capture the aesthetic of minimalism is very hard to achieve in a world that is full of content and never ending clutter. As photographers how do we capture a scene in a minimalistic style without blatantly copying artists like Michael Kenna or Hiroshi Sugimoto?