I’ve not written one of these in a while, so I thought that I’d do one today. This weekend, I attended a workshop by Les Saucier. From it, I gleaned a few nuggets, things that I had already known, but these were great reminders. There’s probably nothing new here, but I hope that some of the new photographers who pass through these virtual doors may find it helpful as they start their photographic journey.
Craft
Photography is a craft, not unlike carpentry, for example, except that we are working with light rather than wood. In order to be a great carpenter, it takes years and years of practice. Each ‘finish’ carpenter’s work is recognizable. Not because he set out to make it so, but because he brought his own feeling, spin, life experience to the project. He made it uniquely his. He brought his spirit to it. However, it all started with endless hours of practice, just for the love it. Also, I’m sure, there were lots of competing interests, lots of distractions, but the few that made it, continued on regardless, perhaps not in a straight line, but kept on nonetheless.
However, it is important to step out of the ‘head’ and go into the heart. Art is about emotion, not just technical ability.
One Zen parable I heard about and archer was that the master told him to learn everything that he could about being an archer and when he had mastered that, forget everything! Then, he must become the arrow, the string, the bow. At school, our Grandmaster told us to learn the forms and practice, practice, practice, but eventually we had to forget about the forms and become Kung Fu. Such as it is for photography, practice so much until your camera becomes and extension of your body and you no longer have to even consider how to use that camera, what is an f/stop and a shutter speed, you’ll just be in the flow with it. Become photography, not just a ‘doer’ of photography. Get out of your head!
Vision & Courage – So what is vision? In my opinion, vision is all that you bring to the table. Your particular way of seeing things, combined with the courage to display and share those things AND to continue to follow your own particular vision. During your learning you may hear that your work is unoriginal and perhaps you should shoot this camera or that, use a square format, shoot only urban decay because beauty is not ‘true’ photography or doesn’t show truth. Bullshit! You have to be you and no one else – have the courage to say: I’ve got to be me.
On a personal level, sometimes I slip into that feeling that my work is not original, but thankfully, I come out of that soon because, my work is unique for no one on earth has that amalgam of experiences that make a shot by Paul much different than than a shot by David, or whoever. I am unique.
Comparison
You may be severely tempted to start comparing your work to that of others. Resist this. The surest way to lose appreciation for yourself, your own spirt, your own unique talents is to start looking outside and comparing yourself to others. There is nothing wrong trying to elevate your work and to even mimic the work of others that you see, but by all means, know that your work, your style, your vision will be your own. Comparison is the surest way to defeat.
Subject
I think that this is the most important thing: Find something that you like, that you can go out and photograph over and over and over again. Something that you want to explore, know more about, or just love having in front of your lens. It could be anything. the world is a wide open place with plenty to photograph.
Share
For some, this is the hardest part – put your work out there for all to see. You needn’t be out there to get the ‘good job’ comments, but perhaps you can find a mentor, someone who will help you along, give you tips and techniques to express your vision, not turn you into ‘them’, but help you to discover you.
Well, that’s about it for this ‘installment’. Nothing really new here, but hopefully a bit of encouragement.
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Here’s the nugget I got this morning from your post, “Art is about emotion.” Thanks and have a great day!
Monte Stevens recently posted..Sunset on the Barn
Very succinct, Monte. I like it! I believe that we express many things through art that cannot be expressed through the inaccuracies and short comings of language.
I’ve always enjoyed your images but I think a primary pull to your blog is your writing. Or, maybe it’s about who you are and how you express it.
Monte Stevens recently posted..Sunset on the Barn
I often wonder myself: Is this a writing blog with photography, or a photography blog, with writing? I don’t think that I’ll ever figure it out, Monte.
Sometimes photos move us and sometimes words do. It’s all good!
Tom Dills recently posted..Sign of the Times?
Paul, I’m glad you found the workshop to be worthwhile and enjoyable. I did as well. I’m in the process of summarizing some of my own thoughts and “nuggets” but since I’m expected to work today (imagine!) I will probably get that posted tonight. It was a good session, we got some good feedback, and even though I had been before, there is something in Les’ teaching that always brings something new out in me. Great stuff.
I like and agree with your comment about sharing. I think we have a nice little community going here, and not just because of the atta-boys. I think we have some valid and worthwhile discussion. And the pictures are pretty good too!
Tom Dills recently posted..Sign of the Times?
Yes, it was worthwhile. Any time that I get something out of it, whether directly, or indirectly, it was worth the time spent. I enjoyed the critique portion the most. It’s always good to get someone else’s eye on your work and offer suggestions for improvement, also knowing that those suggestions are merely opinion. I thought that Les’s suggestions were spot-on, as far as I was concerned – his comments about my work.
I’m looking forward to our little printing group … but not looking forward to buying more ink!
Excellent post and accompanying image, Paul. I can especially relate to the segment about mimicing a photographer that you admire. When I first reintroduced myself to photography several years ago, the catalyst for my return was Mitch Dobrowner’s spectacular desert Southwest images that I saw in Lenswork magazine (even though I wasn’t actively shooting at the time, I always maintained a connection with photography). They were gorgeous, and I told myself I could shoot like that. I discovered I couldn’t. My own personal style, my own predispositions, my own prejudices, my own worldview prevented my from creating images with the same emotional impact. Mitche’s images are his own. Mine are my own. And that, for lack of a better term, is a blessing.
John – Visual Notebook recently posted..A People Pic
Thanks, John. I’ve been down that path a number of times. I wanted my work to look like Alain Briot, but you know what? I don’t live in his neck of the woods, so the subject matter, although I love it, is not convenient. Also, the more that I looked at it, the more that I thought my images would be more subtle, less saturated. Even though I prefer more contrast, I have a softer hand, I think, for color saturation – it fits my style, my personality, I think.
And you are correct, your own life causes you to have your own way of doing things, just as it should be!
Bravo! These are reminders I never hear too often. I am always happy to hear someone else singing one of my favorite tunes: technique is no substitute for emotion. The picture here, by the way, is a wonderful accompaniment to the thoughts shared with us. This os one of yor stellar posts.
Anita Jesse recently posted..The Power of the Pen
Paul, sounds like it was an interesting workshop. Sometimes a “refresher” can be beneficial to keep us focused on the important points. It’s easy to become distracted…I’m speaking from personal experience here.
Earl recently posted..Mummies
Very well said, Paul. This is the information we need to be aware of from time to time. Doing something you love should be as natural as breathing and I admire those who have arrived at that state.
Ken Bello recently posted..BLUE MONDAY