Two basic types of photographers

In my opinion, there are two main types of photographers – documenters and creators. There isn’t anything wrong with either type of photography. Nearly all of us started out as documenters. Some of us moved into creators. I am no exception.

I must confess that my early creations were truly dreadful. In fact, during my photography school days, I was almost crushed by the weight of my instructor’s first critiques. I vividly remember submitting my very first project for critique and feeling utterly exposed as I waited to hear the feedback. It was a moment of realization that I had ample room for improvement, and it would have been so easy to dismiss the suggestions from the instructor. However, deep down, I knew that I wouldn’t progress or truly grow as an artist unless I wholeheartedly took them into consideration.

Despite having close to 40 years of experience in photography, I still find myself occasionally missing the mark. It’s a humbling truth that I have come to accept. Upon reflecting on these moments, I recognize that most often it is due to my own lack of meticulous planning and technical execution. These aspects are just as crucial to the art of photography as the creative vision itself, and it’s a perpetual challenge that I strive to overcome with each new project.

But through these challenges, I’ve come to appreciate that it’s all part of the artistic journey. It’s a constant evolution, and the learning never truly stops. Embracing both the successes and the setbacks has ultimately shaped me into the photographer that I am today, and I look forward to continuing this enriching pursuit for years to come.