I have met many a young aspiring photographer, most of them are keen to learn and whilst eager to get their careers as a photographer going, there is also that element of trepidation, the unknown that the big, wide world holds for them. Many will start assisting photographers who are working professionals, hopefully in the area that they hope to work in…fashion, product, food photography…the list goes on. Those are the main areas which most young photographers will find themselves in. I have never taken part or had any experience in this area, mine was a different path.
You’ll remember from a previous post (if you’ve read any others – the one in question here is: “It’s always been about people”), as a young man, I was hugely put-off by commercial photography. And for me it was the right thing, I’m not a commercially minded person and certainly not oriented that way as a photographer, but for many this is their path.
Here today, it’s not all about the formally trained professional, you might be a keen amateur, or simply someone who occasionally takes their camera out with them, but anyone who has a love for photography and creating images. Whatever your photography status, at some point you’ll have spent some time developing your interest in a certain field and you might be someone who casts about still trying to find an area that suits you. There again there are plenty of other people who simply are happy taking photos of anything they fancy…and that’s fine. But this post today, is not about them…it’s about the people who are casting around looking for their place in the world of photography.
I’m not wise enough to give you all the answers, if any at all! I can only make my own observation from being around many people over the years – and from my own experience, limited as it is. This is not about being technically proficient – it’s presumed you are, no this is about becoming artistically fulfilled and finding “peace” within yourself, as a photographer.
A few individuals I have met, formally trained Bachelor of Photography graduates, are working in fields totally unrelated to photography and they feel ashamed to say so, perhaps after the time, money and effort they have invested. I do recall an occasion, when talking to a younger person, I advised them that they need not feel any shame or embarrassment in not working as a photographer. Universities and Colleges churn out thousands of young hopefuls – most of them don’t make it, and many, if they do, will not achieve the status they were hoping for – and that’s alright.
However, as I said to that young person and they were not using their camera at all – it was quite alright to be working in a completely different field. We all have to live and eat and more than not, photography will not pay the bills, however, if you have a love for photography, you owe it to yourself to go out and shoot – if for no one else than yourself. It is important, for anyone who loves photography, to keep your “eye in”. Just like anything else, the more you do something the better you are at it – practice, practice and then some more! In photography, your “eye” becomes accustomed to seeing the world around you, formulating ideas for those of you doing commercial shoots or for that matter, anything else. But in all cases, grooming your ideas and vision for the images you will create, or won’t, if you don’t take up your camera and go out!
On another occasion with the same individual, one evening shooting just for sheer fun – there were three of us, I recall. I was told, “but I don’t have your ideas!”, the answer was simple. If you don’t pick up your camera and shoot, even just for fun, your mind will not be in the “right” place. It’s all connected, the ideas will come.
Many a time one sets off on a path only to find that you’re somewhere you didn’t think you’d be going – and it’s the same with photography. Be you formally trained or just keen, you may find that after a while…a period of shooting a particular subject or type – some experimentation in other areas, a suggestion from a friend or colleague, leads your mind to start thinking differently and suddenly there is a revelation, or perhaps (more likely) something more subtle which reveals itself to us and you find yourself in a place you hadn’t thought of.
Just as I have met a few aspiring young photographers, I have met a few “older” ones, who have been shooting for many years, they pride themselves on having experience and skill. Some of these people are really good at their craft, but others…well the reality is a bit different, even if they don’t see it. There is an “air” about them and a confidence in their own images that, I will be honest, I just don’t see. I’m not here to judge, but the work in question here is mediocre to just plain bad – there I’ve said it! There are two sides to the coin here, one is that they are content with what they’re doing – the other is that they just don’t “see”, they are blinded, along with the lack of ability to really (want to) learn, through often plain arrogance and their attitude. They will never find true creativity, let alone become decent photographers. I stopped feeling sorry people like this a long time ago, it’s better concentrating your time and effort with people who are eager and open to always learning.
I’ve always been interested in people and that’s where most of my photography lays, though I’ve often experimented in other subject areas and ideas along the years. If there a was a revelation for me, it happened long ago and that revelation was that I could express myself through photography and also that there were many areas for me to try. Some of that has re-surfaced in recent years in the form of more abstract photography that these days I find myself drawn to. There are a few areas that I’d like to spend more time with – and that’s the key – time! I don’t seem to have much of it these days.
Finding your feet in photography, may be a quick and painless process – for some, for others it may take years of soul searching, perhaps some experimentation. For many professional photographers working in a certain area – they may be successful and really good at their job, the photography that pays the bills – they may have found their financial feet. Or perhaps a keen amateur, trying to be part of a group and “going with the flow”. Ask yourself, and be honest, is this the photography we love? If they are one and the same – fantastic! Although I have earned money through shooting events and portraits, I have never enjoyed it in the same way as I do when I’m shooting projects or abstracts for myself, there’s a lot more freedom – with no constraints and honesty. Perhaps think of it as your day job and your hobby. No doubt there are plenty of people who love their day job and they’re good at it too!
Am I still searching? I ask myself constantly about the images I create, are they any good? Do my images look like everyone else’s’? There are more questions, there always are…but the answer is “yes”, I’m still searching…and learning.
I hope that this post has given you pause for thought, finding your feet as a photographer is one thing, and it may not be too hard. However, finding your photographic soul, now that’s something else!
I told you...not a foot fetish!