The Importance of Growth Beyond the Individual Image
A.B Watson A.B Watson

The Importance of Growth Beyond the Individual Image

In the world of photography, the focus often centers on the singular image, the standalone photograph. Yet, discussions about the book, the gallery wall, the series, and the editorial are noticeably absent. While striking individual images are encouraged, the power of a series and narrative, guiding the viewer through a cohesive story, is seldom explored. Combining images, strengthening them collectively, and growing beyond the individual is a transformative journey.

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A Journey from External to Internal Expression
A.B Watson A.B Watson

A Journey from External to Internal Expression

The more I reflect on the year, the more I find myself not leaving but focusing less and less on photography. I seem to be pulled towards writing, which puzzles me. Have you ever had a passion that consumed your life, like that is all you have thought about and done, to suddenly realize I think I'm in a new chapter of my life?

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Capturing Change: The Transformative Potential of Photography
Thoughts A.B Watson Thoughts A.B Watson

Capturing Change: The Transformative Potential of Photography

In my journey through photography, I grapple with the prevailing notion that my images hold the potential to ignite transformative change within society. The idea that each photograph I capture could alter the course of history suggests a power to resonate with and impact groups and individuals at a profound level, instigating a collective incentive for change. Yet, amidst this optimistic perspective, I find myself questioning the validity of such beliefs.

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The Price of Knowledge: To Pay or Not to Pay for Online Courses?
A.B Watson A.B Watson

The Price of Knowledge: To Pay or Not to Pay for Online Courses?

The majority of people who are selling you a course aren't doing it out of your best interest. They are selling you their course to make money, not to further your career. Don't get me wrong; there might be some good information in that same course. But 90% of any course online can be obtained for free on the internet. YouTube, OpenCourseWare, Khan Academy, Coursera, Gutenberg, Google Books, to name a few. So why would you buy one?

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The similarities between photography and archery
Thoughts A.B Watson Thoughts A.B Watson

The similarities between photography and archery

A few months ago, I took up the sport of archery. Always intrigued, I finally pulled the cord and joined a club. Eager to embrace everything new, I sought out the best gear, aiming to progress faster than recommended. My ambitious approach, however, left me instantly humbled. Reflecting on this experience, I discerned intriguing similarities between archery and my profession—photography. This realisation sparked my interest, prompting me to delve into a comparison of the two.

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The Road Less Liked: The Digital Dilemma Faced by Artists
A.B Watson A.B Watson

The Road Less Liked: The Digital Dilemma Faced by Artists

In the realm of creative expression, the journey from personal fulfillment to seeking external validation has been a nuanced evolution for many artists. The advent of social media platforms, initially hailed as a means of connecting with peers and showcasing individual creativity, has brought about a transformative shift in the way many artists perceive and present their work.

The evolution of photography, once a deeply personal exploration driven by the desire to communicate external or internal stories visually, has transformed for many into the pursuit of likes and social validation has taken precedence over genuine creative joy.

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Visual Zen: Rediscovering Creativity Amidst Japanese Landscapes
Thoughts A.B Watson Thoughts A.B Watson

Visual Zen: Rediscovering Creativity Amidst Japanese Landscapes

In the quiet dance between familiarity and foreignness, I found myself wandering through the streets of Japan with a camera in hand, capturing moments that echoed the distant landscapes of my New Zealand home. As I navigated the vibrant tapestry of Japan, the juxtaposition of cultures, the whispering trees, and the gentle flow of water brought forth an elusive feeling—an intangible bridge between two worlds. Japan, with its ancient traditions and modern nuances, felt like a dream where the echoes of home met the novelty of the unknown.

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Custodians of time or tech enthusiast?
A.B Watson A.B Watson

Custodians of time or tech enthusiast?

If you care about gear, you might be missing the point of photography. While some argue that gear matters, I would say its significance is relative to your perspective. In truth, the moment, subject, and light are far more critical than the camera you use.

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The Allure of the 50mm Lens
Inspiration, Thoughts Inspiration, Thoughts

The Allure of the 50mm Lens

For the longest time, I never knew precisely why I adored the 50mm lens. Shooting with it felt utterly natural; I could envision the image in my mind before even raising the camera to my eye. I used to think it might have been a learned habit. After all, I shot with a 50mm lens exclusively so I know it inside and out. But I've recently discovered that the 50mm lens offers something truly unique.

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Who is currently inspiring me?
Inspiration, Thoughts Inspiration, Thoughts

Who is currently inspiring me?

We all have our heroes, the people who inspire us. I have gone through so many; the list keeps changing and rearranging itself. From filmmakers, writers, artists, to photographers. I thought it might be interesting to share the artists who have changed how I take photographs and think about photography.

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Why is finding your voice so challenging?
Inspiration, Philosophy Inspiration, Philosophy

Why is finding your voice so challenging?

Why is finding your voice so challenging? After all, it's your voice; shouldn't it come naturally? Shouldn't it just be there, present? After all, it has been with us all along.Finding your voice is about discovering what you want to say and how you want to express it - a style of storytelling, a narrative structure, an aesthetic that complements our personality. Finding your voice is expressing yourself and how you see the world through a medium of your choosing. For me, that medium is writing and photography. So, why is it so difficult to find something that is inside us? To put it bluntly, it's like gazing at ourselves in the mirror.

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My new editing process
Education, Inspiration Education, Inspiration

My new editing process

We all have or access to a smartphone. Most of us have a gallery of some sort to archive all our photos, be it an app the cloud or on social media. That's how the majority of people store and edit their photos, with ugly ass presets and filters. But like most professional photographers we store our image on our computer, external hard drives or negative film folders. With the occasional box left alone in the corner of the house or studio. For me I currently just keep a few photos stored in my wallet, so how do I edit my photos from my wallet?

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Update on where I'm at.
Thoughts Thoughts

Update on where I'm at.

All it took was a year off, a world pandemic, and Flying halfway around the world for a month-long holiday. To rekindle my passion for photography and find myself again. I have come to realize that I'm not a person who likes being in front of the camera. TikTok and YouTube aren't platforms for me to express myself or communicate. I'm a dyslexic writer who can't spell, and a photographer; that's who I am.

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Just start making and forget about results
Inspiration Inspiration

Just start making and forget about results

Photography is an amazing art form. It allows us to capture moments, explore the world around us, and share our perspective with the world. It’s a great way to express ourselves and to capture memories that we can look back on and cherish. But, it can also be easy to get caught up in the results, and to focus on pleasing our egos. We all want to take the perfect shot, and when we don’t, it can be discouraging.

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Photographic style
Inspiration Inspiration

Photographic style

Photography is an art form that has been around for centuries, and it has evolved over time to encompass a variety of styles. From traditional portraiture to abstract art, there is a photographic style to suit every taste. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular photographic styles and how they can be used to create stunning images.

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