Sometimes I find myself in a philosophical mood. Some of the thoughts floating around in my head in these occasions I'll be posting in this blog. I'll label them "Big Picture". Feel free to skip them if you're here just to look at the pictures or if you just want to learn things directly related with climbing photography. I won't be offended :-) I'd be happy to hear your thoughts, though!
So here goes, you have been warned! ;-)
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There are some 4 billion shots posted on Flickr with 4000 new images incoming every minute... Seeing these numbers I find myself wondering why I still bother picking up a camera...
Looking at the issue from this angle it seems unreasonable to keep on taking photos. Why should I work hard on becoming a better photographer when my photos drown in a steady stream of billions of other images anyway?
But let's not look at it that way! This isn't the end of photography. It is a chance to evolve. Stop playing it safe. Nikon won't send you free gear for taking safe shots. Don't be afraid to blow it. What have you got to lose? With so many shots around, all the pressure is off. All the obvious images are taken anyway, so you don't have to worry that the world may find itself without enough photos of sunsets, waterfalls or beautiful models. Realize that and stop being afraid. Don't feel pressured, feel free instead.
Take risks. Don't be afraid to blow it. Create something new. Something that hasn't been done to death a million times. You have a license to go crazy. Who says you can't do a portray with a fisheye?! Who says images have to be sharp? Who says blown-out highlights are evil?! Who says your images have to be loved by everyone?! What do you have to lose?!
No-one will notice if you stop making safe images. No-one will miss you. Stop bitching about it, it's your big chance! Stop playing it safe. Make mistakes, make 'em big and create something new.
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Posts
First I suggest thinking on photography from a more selfish point of view. Being able to take big pictures is a gift for yourself and only if you are able to take really big pictures it is a gift for the whole audience. Making pictures with the intention to please other people will get you miles away from what could have been your personal style and will lead you into a safe way called mainstream. And sorry, Chase, but his personal style is actually becoming some kind of mainstream.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right, taking safe shots is probably the best way to make pictures others did before. But what means safe? Taking the picture as you did hundred times successfully before! So do something completely different. Be versatile. Digital or analog, black&white or in full colors, with lots of flashes or with available light only. Just surprise yourself. Chases advice of his six steps... well, find your own. Internalize your own workflow from eye to brain to hand. See a picture, improve it with your knowledge and let it happen. And that as often as possible. And sometimes like you never did before or even thought of...
Just my 2 cents.