farlymac
PF McFarland
All the time.
PF
PF
Do changes in other areas of your life prompt changes in your photography?
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noisycheese
Normal(ish) Human
Pioneer
Veteran
My subject matter changes as things change within my life. The locations I visit also change. The equipment I use changes from time to time, based largely on my ability to buy new things and my reduced tolerance for large cameras. But photography itself really doesn't change that much. It stays with me. It is very rare for me to go anywhere without a camera of some sort in my shirt pocket. For the past 15 years it has probably been one of the constant things in my life, along with my partner.
airfrogusmc
Veteran
For me yes. I went through a really painful, self inflicted, divorce some years back. I started noticing some changes in my work and it lead to this personal book dealing with the mess i created and the demons I had to face, Great therapy and probably saved me thousands and my sanity. LoL...
The Book
And the photos and words inside.
Changes showed up in my work in a very powerful way. It was totally subconscious at first and I didn't start noticing it until I was looking at the my contact sheets and realized that these images were about more than subjects.
The Book
And the photos and words inside.
Changes showed up in my work in a very powerful way. It was totally subconscious at first and I didn't start noticing it until I was looking at the my contact sheets and realized that these images were about more than subjects.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Depends on what you mean by "change".
Same cameras.
Some things you can shoot "every day" in one place, but not others, e.g. for me Bristol; small (5000-person) city in California; SE England; rural France.
The world changes around you, e.g. photographing kids in English-speaking countries (hasn't changed much elsewhere).
You get older, and so do many of your friends.
But if I look at what I shoot now, and what I shot in the 1960s, it still looks like the same photographer.
What did the OP mean by "changes in your photography"? Because in one sense it's always changing and evolving. And equally what are "changes in other areas of your life"?
Cheers,
R.
pixelatedscraps
Well-known
Perhaps it's a cliche, but I find breakups very inspiring for my photography. My eye seems to fall upon things I might otherwise discard or glance over. This is in no way scientific, but I have a gut feeling I have more keepers per roll when there's melancholia in the air. It also seems to spur new purchases, too. Haha.
pixelatedscraps
Well-known
+1 on that one
Maiku
Maiku
Yeah, my move back Canada has alter my perspective on life and my photographic vision. I wish I could say otherwise, but photography seems no longer important as it once did.
Fuchs
Well-known
bref... almost the same for me... Not scientific, but statistically certainly
CloseContax
Sonnaristo
I started doing street photography after moving from suburban Florida to Baltimore. I sometimes take trips to nearby cities (DC, Philly, NYC) for street photography. This genre of photography was essentially unavailable to me in a suburban life.
On the other hand, living in a city, I've come to miss trails and forests. I've moved into 4x5 photography lately to depict my escapes to the Smokies. I'm also discovering architectural photography this way.
On the other hand, living in a city, I've come to miss trails and forests. I've moved into 4x5 photography lately to depict my escapes to the Smokies. I'm also discovering architectural photography this way.
redisburning
Well-known
moving definitely changes your photography, as long as your photography is in any way a reaction to what's around you (99% of the time it is, but some people are so special they can create the same images regardless of subject).
menos
Veteran
Allen, the book you presented earlier in the thread seems a very good way of using photography for a personal project, aligning oneself again or dealing with life.
Personally, as mentioned by others earlier, moving can change a lot!
I always had a light interest in photography as far as I can think back but it never developed into something serious, until I moved to live in China some years ago.
This was, when my photography started to become serious.
Personally, as mentioned by others earlier, moving can change a lot!
I always had a light interest in photography as far as I can think back but it never developed into something serious, until I moved to live in China some years ago.
This was, when my photography started to become serious.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Sejanus.Aelianus
Veteran
Yes. ...and no.
I take pictures all the time. Since the advent of digital, I do so even more. Whatever is happening, dictates what I record and how.
For instance, when I'm in a city, I think my style becomes harder, a bit more "clinical"...
...and when I'm in the country, I think it tends towards the, excuse me, "lyrical"...
Brian Legge
Veteran
Absolutely.
Too much time spent at work saps all my photographic creativity. I've been working 6 days a week 50% of the time or so the last 3 years. I'm hitting the point now where, on those rare days I go out to shoot, I'm just not seeing anything. Its all sorts of frustrating as I it feels like a waste of time in the end because I don't get any results.
Its particularly frustrating to feel so detached this time of year. Many of the outdoor activities - festivals and such - which are great fun to shoot happen between May 17th and mid August. I'd wager half of my shooting happens in this window. And I already know that I'll be working 60 hour weeks from now until October, probably higher in the middle of the summer.
It really hit me while out shooting today. I managed ~16 shots in three hours of walking around, maybe one or two keepers. Thats abysmal for me. Photographically, I feel like I should look to something other than street photography - something I can shoot indoors, when the weather is lousy, it gets dark early and there isn't anyone out. :\
Too much time spent at work saps all my photographic creativity. I've been working 6 days a week 50% of the time or so the last 3 years. I'm hitting the point now where, on those rare days I go out to shoot, I'm just not seeing anything. Its all sorts of frustrating as I it feels like a waste of time in the end because I don't get any results.
Its particularly frustrating to feel so detached this time of year. Many of the outdoor activities - festivals and such - which are great fun to shoot happen between May 17th and mid August. I'd wager half of my shooting happens in this window. And I already know that I'll be working 60 hour weeks from now until October, probably higher in the middle of the summer.
It really hit me while out shooting today. I managed ~16 shots in three hours of walking around, maybe one or two keepers. Thats abysmal for me. Photographically, I feel like I should look to something other than street photography - something I can shoot indoors, when the weather is lousy, it gets dark early and there isn't anyone out. :\
Contarama
Well-known
Not anymore really...I've been at it long enough now that the opportunity to get out and shoot is now sort of anticipation of something nice. I'm normally not after anything in particular so it is just pure thrill, joy, and fun.
Paul Jenkin
Well-known
Yes.
Whilst I don't believe I suffer from depression as such, I do have periods in my life where I just seem to lose the desire to create - or even think about creating - anything remotely artistic. When I'm in that frame of mind, if I pick up a camera, I will guarantee that I'll produce nothing of any lasting interest or importance to me. If I try to work my way through the "block" it gets worse and I get angrier with myself for even trying.
Once, however, my mood improves, my activity levels increase and I start looking forward to getting a camera in my hands and seeing what's happening in the big, wild world.
Workloads, illness and other daily stresses tend to be the triggers but why wouldn't they?
Whilst I don't believe I suffer from depression as such, I do have periods in my life where I just seem to lose the desire to create - or even think about creating - anything remotely artistic. When I'm in that frame of mind, if I pick up a camera, I will guarantee that I'll produce nothing of any lasting interest or importance to me. If I try to work my way through the "block" it gets worse and I get angrier with myself for even trying.
Once, however, my mood improves, my activity levels increase and I start looking forward to getting a camera in my hands and seeing what's happening in the big, wild world.
Workloads, illness and other daily stresses tend to be the triggers but why wouldn't they?
Katie
Established
Allen, THANK YOU so much for sharing in the thread. I've "known" you online for some time now, but as we all like to hide behind our screen as normal folk, I never "knew" anything about you. Your photos take on a whole new level with me when combined with your words. I think we "see" things similarly; I am so influenced by my life - that it is the only thing that dictates WHAT I shoot. I take life shots - everything is representative of something with me. If there's no emotion hidden deep inside something; I am usually not compelled to even look at it. I find your photos mesmerizing and always have.
I am so glad to know this little bit about you ... thanks so much for sharing. As always, love your work!!!!!
I am so glad to know this little bit about you ... thanks so much for sharing. As always, love your work!!!!!
airfrogusmc
Veteran
Katie thanks for your kind words of encouragement. Glad those days are behind me but it was a very creative period for me and also a lot of soul searching. Glad I came out the other side.
I so enjoy your work to. A great glimpse into your life and world as a mom, wife and amazing photographer. Sometimes out best work comes from places very close if we dare to go there.
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