I never really thought about this before yesterday, color doesn’t exist in reality. We have electromagnetic radiation bouncing off objects and the different wavelengths which we perceive as color. Does this mean that black and white photography is really the true reflection of reality? As such is it all just an illusion? Does reality really matter and the biggest question of all, who cares?
I believe many get caught up in what is reality without realizing that much of reality is perception. I have heard the phrase, “perception is reality” and I used to really hate that term as it seemed to be used in an attempt to alter my thoughts and beliefs. As I have grown older I have come to realize the truth in that phrase, with one addition. Perception can become reality. Accepting this “truth” has changed my view on many things, especially in creating art. My goal most often with my photography is not to capture a scene or subject as it truly may exist in the natural universe but how I perceive the scene or subject. My perception becomes my reality.
I often wonder, can we really create an original photograph, or is everything an imitation or copy of something that has been done before? There are few locations on the planet that haven’t been photographed, but are there any truly new concepts? It is said that in writing books there are seven basic plots. Is this true with visual arts? Are there really new ideas? I’m not sure of the answer but it isn’t likely to stop me from my attempt to create a unique look, after all, no one else has all my experiences. They may have similar experiences but not the same. This is why I believe it is important to put your own style into your art and not merely attempt to copy the work of someone else, regardless of how good and creative that work may be. I don’t believe there is shame in getting inspiration from the work that was created before our own as long as we put a bit of our personality into it.
One of the traits I am personally proud to have is that I don’t really have limits to my creativity. There are techniques I like and use often but sometimes I “play” with different processes.
I guess my process is less reality-based and more imaginative-based. For me sometimes reality sucks. Reality is something that I want to escape from. I would like only to watch documentary movies and television or only read historical factual books. Yes, sometimes it is wonderful to see a documentary or show based on real events. Yes, sometimes it is wonderful to read a book on facts and history.
A few years ago I became interested in philosophy. I hated philosophy in college but I love a philosophical conversation not. I periodically read books such as The Republic. I like things that make me think more deeply. I like things that are ambiguous. I like things that are conceptual or with a subliminal message. At the same time, I often look for beauty in nature and reality.
All this leads to my biggest problem which is staying focused on a project. I am beginning to get a grasp on how to channel my thoughts and creative ideas but it is very much a work in progress.
Years ago I was gifted a camera, but I didn’t receive a call to be a photographer. That call didn’t come until later. A couple of years after getting my first camera I did start to become more and more interested in photography. I had acquired some more gear and even a simple black and white darkroom. Then the call faded. I had cameras but little interest in making photographs outside of vacation or special events. That call finally arrived in the spring of 2005. It isn’t that I didn’t have a “telephone” I didn’t have it turned on. In fact, I wasn’t even particularly interested in art or music. Oh, I had art on the walls of my house and I listened to music but it wasn’t a focus of my lifestyle. I’m not sure what prompted my interest in photography. I remember going to a camera store, Ritz Cameras. I found a camera I wanted to buy. I got a Nikon D50 with an 18-55mm “kit lens”.
I would take photographs of just about anything that crossed my path. I was operating in mostly a variety of automatic modes but it didn’t matter. Soon, I acquired more gear. The call had come in. I was 46 years old at the time. Many of the other photographic artist types I have met had a much earlier beginning, many when they were children.
My point is that no matter how old you are when the call arrives work it. Develop a passion for your art. You’re never too old and remember, always always be willing to move outside of your comfort zone and styles. Try new things.
This past weekend I volunteered to work at the gallery of a contemporary photography group of which I am a member. First off, it was very slow as far as visitors. One person needed to borrow a pen and piece of paper because he hit a parked car with his vehicle and another was another member who came to see the exhibit since he missed the opening of it, otherwise, I was alone with the exhibit which was billed as small works where no print was larger than an 11 x 14.
What I found very interesting were the selections the members made to display. This wasn’t a juried show but members could select up to three prints to be included in the show. Now I’ve only been a member for a short time but I did have some very interesting conversations with other members. All the work was very good albeit an eclectic collection. I was going to put items in the show but absentmindedness was to blame for my neglect (in other words I forgot).
I spent a total of 5 hours looking through the gallery. There were some photo books from a free film project and the last juried show. Spending that amount of time with various works of art in a relatively small area I had lots of time to really study the artwork. I found this to be an awakening of sorts. Hanging out with other creative photographic artists and viewing their work is somewhat inspiring. I’ve found very little criticism on whether about the processes of others. Some work only in film, others only in digital, and then there are those who do both. Some are more purist photographers while others are more post-development. Thus far, I haven’t found it to be like social media groups or photography clubs of which I have been a member where there is a very discernable division between photography styles.
One thing is for sure and that is I feel much more confident with my style and my work. Who knows maybe this is the motivation and inspiration I have needed for so long.
I would argue all day long that photography can be art, but at the same time, I would say that not all photographic art is fine art. A fine art photograph, like any piece of art fine art, is something more. It MUST convey the artist’s interpretation of a subject or scene not merely be a reproduction of a subject or scene. A fine art photograph should take the viewer beyond mere reproduction. I see all sorts of photos including those the photographer calls fine art photography but often the photo looks to merely seeing a scene/subject and taking a picture of the same. I feel as if the artist needs to be telling us something more. I believe the fine art photograph needs to talk to me and embrace my imagination.
It often helps us with an artist statement or, at very least, a title. This gives us something to understand what the artist wished to convey. What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Photography gear envy can kill creativity. I used to suffer from photography gear envy. I always looked to see what others used and often was envious of their equipment, especially if I thought my work was much better. So, how did it kill my creativity? Because I was often too busy chasing gear that I wasn’t working out how to create better images with what I had.
Let’s face it, even entry-level gear is often better than what photographers used 25, 30, 50, or 100 years ago. While we use more lightweight materials (plastics and composite materials) in much of the construction of modern gear, mechanisms are durable. Modern lens coatings help reduce flare and aberrations. I’ve said this before but I believe it bears repeating. It isn’t about gear it is about results. If you’re not getting the results you want don’t look at gear first, look at what you’re doing with your current gear, most likely it is something you need to improve upon. Maybe a better understanding of light, focus, or camera settings. You, the photographer, are the most crucial component of your gear.
I frequent a lot of photography-related social media forums and I see some form of that question, “What is the best lens, software, camera, settings, computer for editing, etc”. And as we would imagine responses are all over the place.
I’m somewhat frugal with my photography gear. I do own some decent equipment, and built my own computer for editing, but I also use some quality equipment. My newest camera is now about 8 years old. My 70-200mm f/2.8 lens isn’t a Nikon (I shoot Nikon camera bodies). For me, the best is a bit different than “top-of-the-line” gear. I don’t necessarily need top-of-the-line so-called “flagship” gear.
The one thing I haven’t ever really skimped on is my software. I have used Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom for 12 years. Prior to that, I did use a variety of other products many of which left me wanting something a bit more powerful. I know, many of the competing products have come a long way but Adobe Photoshop products are still the standard that the competitors chase. Why do I say that? I see the ads for competing products and each “hints” toward Adobe products. This isn’t to say that I’m promoting the use of Adobe products I’m just saying that it is the “best” for me and my needs.
I read some time ago if you want better answers ask better questions. To me, the better question than asking what is the “best” would be to ask “what would you recommend” and outline your particular needs. As Edward Steichen once said, “No photographer is as good as the simplest camera”. I truly believe this as I have seen some absolutely fantastic photographs from the least expensive entry-level gear using the simplest techniques. Conversely, I have seen some absolutely horrible photographs using top-of-the-line gear.
The absolutely best photography stuff is knowledge and the ability to realize you have more to learn and more work to hone your knowledge and skills. Be careful though, there are thousands who work to sell us stuff. Everyone wants our money and offers “easy” ways to learn. Some are good, some are not. To be the best requires practice. Not just any practice but practice that leads to improvement. Judge your own work. Find people you respect who will be honest with you and talk to them. It’s not about the gear, it is about you and your vision as an artist.
I don’t know how many photographs I have taken in the past 40 years but I currently have 33071 in my Lightroom catalog and this doesn’t count the boxes of pictures I have from film days. I have over the years deleted many of the pictures I’ve taken with digital cameras. Most of those deleted were experiments, tests, or pictures that didn’t work out.
Occasionally, I will go through my catalog and find something I vaguely remember taking, and find a new life for it. If I stuck with the photographs I have currently and developed one photograph every day of the year I have 90 years’ worth of photographs. Of course, I’m not done taking photographs. I have many things I want to accomplish. So to answer the question of how many photographs are enough? The answer is more than 33071 for me.
Just like the weather has been in my part of the country, I’ve hit yet another creative dry spell. Maybe it is partially due to the heat maybe it is partially due to the amount of work I have done at my “regular” job and when I get home I just want to sit and put my feet up. Maybe it is all of the above and then some.
One thing I have discovered along the way, it is often difficult to be creative on demand. I’ve even missed a couple of blog posts because I sat down to a blank screen and just had nothing. It isn’t that my mind isn’t working, in fact, it is often the opposite but my thoughts are all over the place racing from one topic to another totally unrelated topic. I have also found that many times I need to do something totally different and may sit down and play video games.
I write this because I don’t believe I’m the only one who hits the occasional creativity dry spell. It is just like an exercise program. One day you just don’t “feel it” and suddenly you haven’t worked out for a week. At that point, it is easy for a week to turn into a month.
In any event, I shall get something going by the weekend. My camera gear is gathering dust. It will still be hot and dry as far as the weather is concerned but maybe I can get out of the creativity desert. I’ll keep you posted on how I overcame the dry spell.
Photographer Clay 