Gratitude
There is something all-newcomer photographers tend to do, they either dream of camera gear or buy a lot of it. When I started in photography I went through the same thing. I thought that I needed all the lenses that my idols used, I believed I needed the biggest megapixel camera, with all the film features just in case a potential client wanted video. But over time with age came wisdom.
The secret to being a great photographer
Now there are so many ways and paths one can go down to make a great photographer. Everyone has their own style, process, history, personality and way they produce their work. But the one thing that great photographers have in common is determination, grit and perseverance.
Play to your strengths
Something just hit me when it comes to getting peoples attention in the modern age. That is, play to your strengths. I'm a photographer and I would like to think I'm good at my job and hobby. Now in this day and age, as a freelancer, being great at our job isn't good enough. We have to promote our work, company, workshop or service. We need to somehow get the word out there. Digitally putting our hand up and saying "Hey look at me, over here."
Why take photos
It’s a hard and easy question, depending on how deep you want to go.Many people want to capture a moment, archive a memory. Some people want to express themselves or other peoples stories. Some want to show you something, be it a travesty or crime to a shiny object to entice you to buy it. For others capturing a photo is meditative or therapy. We all have our own reasons to capture a photo.
Phases
As creatives, we all go in and out of phases. Be it trying something new, putting a twist on previous work to outright stopping our practice to follow other endeavours. We buy new gear in hopes it will change something, be it adopt a new way to look at things. Whatever you're going through or been through we all have Phases.
1% difference
I’ve been emailed by quite a few people asking very specific questions, going into the micro of details to understand and improve their methods, process and photos. These people that have been asking me questions are intently focusing on the 1% details instead of trying to improve the fundamentals that make up 99% of a photography.
Finding your way in photography
Finding your way in photography takes a few things and many different ones. Finding your way requires your views and thoughts on the world. From past experiences that shaped how you perceive, to the minutiae discussions and advice you've chosen to take onboard. Finding your way in photography is just that, your way.
Film vs Digital, lets put it to the test
Have you ever heard the argument that digital just doesn’t have the same look as film? Well, let's put that argument to rest. I Have pain stickily made my own Lightroom preset that I believe is 96% the same as my favourite film Kodak Tri-X 400. Now, this preset is custom made for my camera specifically. So let's dive a little deeper into how I accomplished this preset and put all those subjective arguments to rest.
Are some photographers born to become masters
I am a firm believer that we are born with a certain capability of intellect. But that we can also improve and learn beyond our natural limitations. But for some reason, I often hear the compliment "Your so lucky to have a natural talent.", as if your DNA had something to do with all your years of hard work and practice. A comment people say so they don't feel bad about their own accomplishments because, in their eyes, you have to be born with a talent. So are some photographers born to become masters?
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.