I continue to see photographers complain that photography has become “too easy”. Granted it is not a huge number of photographers, but they appear to be highly vocal in photography forums. Photography doesn’t have to be difficult. Let me say that louder for the people in the back, “PHOTOGRAPHY DOESN’T HAVE TO BE DIFFICULT!”. Additionally, photography doesn’t mean you have to use the most expensive and newest gear. You can create fantastic photographs using virtually any camera.
We see this everywhere. The experts, particularly photographers, are all trying to sell us stuff. They all have “products” to “make it easier” and “create the same look and feel” they are known for. They range from presets to plugins. It seems as if few want to be creative on their own, they want to copy the look of someone else.
On top of that if you listen to the experts, nearly all of them want you to buy their products or products that “support them”. I realize they have to make money, but it doesn’t seem as if it is about photography any longer but rather about the “bottom line”.
Has it become that the only way you can succeed is by becoming like the “experts” and buying their stuff? Is creativity dead?
Change often causes people stress, especially when it comes to some photographers. I see many of those photographers every day. A new tool comes out, be it a camera feature, software tool, or whatever else and photography is dead. “Real photographers don’t need that!” Digital photography killed “real photography”. I don’t believe any of those statements, but I see them nearly every day.
The current technology that is often the brunt of criticism today is artificial intelligence. Many fear that it, artificial intelligence will replace them. Maybe it will maybe it won’t but what I have found is that the way artificial intelligence is currently positioned in my workflow in photography is the mundane tasks are faster and less tedious. Things that used to take significantly longer can now take mere moments to accomplish. This frees up time to be more productive and creative. Without change we are forever stuck in the past.
Modern digital cameras packed with features, modern software allowing for 10 stops or more adjustments in exposure, the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) to add or subtract elements to images plus a plethora of other tools and equipment. All these things make the work of a photographer so much easier, but has it become too easy? I don’t believe so and I’ll tell you why.
For me, these tools are time savers, allowing me more time to spend taking the photographs and getting the results I envisioned. Let’s face it, reality has never been a goal of an artist, at least in my mind. Yes, I want it to look real, but often not to look exactly the way it was by nature. Photographers have altered reality from the beginning. Photographers have pushed the limits of creativity throughout time. I know there are those that claim to be “purists” who strive to copy “reality”, but I believe they are fooling themselves.
One of my new favorite tools is the use of A.I. in programs like Photoshop and Lightroom, allowing me to make selections faster, more accurately, and easier. In addition, the use of removing distractions has never been easier or faster. Today’s featured photograph had a number of people in the original photograph. While it has been possible to eliminate distractions such as people for a long time by use of other tools or methods, it often required special tools or was time consuming. Today, it can be done in a matter of moments.
Photography hasn’t gotten easier, but the tools have become more powerful allowing us the ability to generate our art faster and allowing us more time to be creative with our cameras.
On September 14, 2023, I began a series of journeys. We first headed to Washington state from Kansas. The journey to Washington was a three-day drive, at least how we do it. My idea was to start a photography project and document the drive as well as our experiences upon our arrival at the various places we visited.
Photographs I got. The writing, not so much. I even have the ability to write via a mobile device. My excuse? I was out of my routine.
While I was working a 40-hour work week I had a routine. Up at 4 AM, make coffee, sit down at my desk and write while drinking my coffee. Once I retired, I did not keep the same routine. I got up whenever I wanted made coffee and then nothing. When I started the journey, my routine was even worse. When we were driving to our initial destinations we were up early, had coffee on the road or a quick breakfast then drive. If I was driving obviously no writing, but as a passenger I often became distracted. When we arrived at destinations, I reverted back to my non-routine of I had “established” after retiring.
I know it is all about priorities and I let other things, such as sitting around and spending too much time on social media become a priority. Now, I need to re-establish my previous routine of writing on a daily basis.
One of the things we discovered in our visit to the “Tri-Cities” (Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick) Washington is Sundays many things are closed, hiking trails, like in many locations are crowded. Learning that we stayed near our room on Sunday. Yesterday, Monday September 18, we visited Badger Mountain. Badger mountain has an elevation of 1,593 feet which is 1,000 feet higher than the location of our room. The weather was very tolerable, 75 degrees, with a nice breeze and low humidity. We only climbed to approximately 1,100 feet before returning to the parking lot. It wasn’t because we were tired but the way the trail went due to the steep climb it would have added a couple more miles to our walk and we had anticipated visiting a local winery, one of the other reasons we visited this area.
We arrived back at our car a bit before the winery was scheduled to open so we drove to “Horse Heaven” mountains and learned there was a recent fire which burned all the native grasses off the mountains. It was interesting, to say the least to see the area completely baren of plants.
As a “reward” for “climbing” the mountain we treated ourselves to wines and a snack. While we didn’t discover a huge number of things to do aside from hiking and wine, we found the area interesting for a couple of days. Tomorrow, we head towards Seattle and Whidbey Island.
Photographers and photographic artists both work with capturing images, but there are notable differences between the two.
A photographer is someone who captures moments and events through the lens of a camera. They focus on technical aspects such as lighting, composition, and framing to produce visually appealing and accurate representations of subjects. Photographers often work in various genres such as landscape, portrait, fashion, or documentary photography. Their primary goal is to capture and convey a specific moment or story.
On the other hand, a photographic artist goes beyond simply capturing a moment. They use photography as a medium for artistic expression and storytelling. Photographic artists employ their creativity and imagination to produce images that convey emotions, concepts, or abstract ideas. They experiment with various techniques, such as manipulation, multiple exposures, or the use of unconventional subject matter to create unique and thought-provoking visual narratives.
While photographers primarily focus on the technical aspects of image capture, photographic artists delve into the realm of artistic interpretation and conceptualization. They may incorporate elements of other art forms, such as painting, sculpture, or digital editing, to enhance their visual creations.
In summary, photographers capture moments and events, aiming for accuracy and appealing visuals, while photographic artists use photography as a means of artistic expression and storytelling, exploring creativity and pushing the boundaries of visual representation.
As a photographer, it’s essential to always maintain your principles. Don’t compromise your values or artistic vision just to please others. Stay true to yourself and your unique style. Remember that photography is not just about capturing pretty pictures, it’s about telling a story and conveying emotions. So, don’t be afraid to take risks and experiment with new techniques. But always stay true to your principles and let them guide your creative process. This will make your work more meaningful and earn you respect and admiration from your audience.
I often observe photographers sharing their pictures on social media, particularly those capturing people, that appear to be nothing but a quick snapshot. It seems like they simply instruct the subject to stand in one spot and then snap the photo without any additional effort to create a compelling image. It’s as if the camera is set to auto mode and the photographer just goes through the motions.
My aim as a photographer is to capture my subject in the most favorable light. To achieve this, I utilize all the resources at my disposal – analyzing the lighting, eliminating distractions, and highlighting my subject’s unique qualities that will captivate the viewer. As a photographer, part of your job may involve utilizing specialized software for digital or advanced darkroom techniques. It’s crucial to understand all aspects of photography to improve your skills and do justice to your subjects.
Photography is a powerful tool for capturing and creating art. With the ability to freeze a moment, photographers can capture the beauty of everyday life or create complex and thought-provoking images. Whether it is through the use of light, composition, or digital manipulation, photographers can create stunning works of art that can evoke emotion and inspire others. From landscapes to portraits, photography has the power to capture the essence of a moment and transform it into something truly extraordinary. Through a camera lens, the world becomes a canvas, and the possibilities for creating art are endless.
With the power of photography in mind it is essential to remember that not every photograph you take will be a masterpiece. Every photograph serves as both an accomplishment and a challenge to create another with the lessons and experience gained from the last.
Photographer Clay 