What is missing from photography
It has been bugging me for a while now, there is just something that is missing from photography. From my personal work to the majority of photographers out there. I’m talking about the photos on your feeds, be it personal to commercial. It has been bugging me and I finally found out what it is, what is missing from photography, is stories.
The editor's mind
Before I write I think to myself what can I communicate that will bring value to my readers. Should I write a gear review because these kinds of articles get the most interactions, but they get the least meaningful responses? When I write about value, meaning, purpose, finding yourself, discipline these articles get fare fewer readers but more significant responses. The question is do I want reach or depth? But even contemplating this kind of thought is what I call The Editor's Mind, thinking, and trying to control something before it has even happened.
Is Instagram dying?
Is Instagram dying? Here is a quote a fellow photographer shared with me.“Although I feel Instagram offers a really beautiful opportunity to connect with others, share art and reach people on a large scale on topics that deserve recognition and attention, I’m finding that it’s becoming harder and harder to feel excited, stimulated or inspired scrolling through my feed.”
The ways of Zen photography
When most people think of the word Zen, a meditating monk in a monastery comes to mind, a practice of enlightenment, a person being in the present or someone without attachments. When I think of Zen, I think of a lifestyle that has profoundly influenced my photography practice. I would like to dive into the ways of zen photography and how it might enlighten your creative practice.
Nature for inspiration
I just read a book covering the benefits of nature and how it helps improve human health among many other claims. I’m sure many of you would question or speculate on the validity of these claims and I did too. One thing I did read that interested me, taking a walk in nature, away from the noises and sights of the city along with the absence of digital screens, improves creativity.
Teaching photographic style.
I’ve been thinking about photography and personal style and the different ways to teach it. I’m trying to help, share and guide people along their way in finding their unique photographic style. Seeing if I can find that quick fix, that beaten path someone else has already made for us.
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?