good short essay on photography by Thom

[lynnb]

I liked this By Thom June 20 essay: How Thick Is Your Skin? - thought it might be worthwhile sharing the link
http://www.bythom.com/index.htm

 

[antiquark]

Thom wrote:

because you're expected to
to collect a "memory snapshot"
because it's an interesting hobby
to mimic others (collecting images that you've seen that have been shot by others)
to impress others (including to make money)
to capture and create something uniquely yours

I think he's missing something in that list. Some photographers talk about how they're trying to learn something, or reveal something, about people in general. (The human condition?)

Maybe he could have had one more line: "artistic enlightenment."

 

[SciAggie]

Thanks for sharing the link. I think many of us take photgraphs for many of the reasons listed. I don't think it is a linear progression from one type to the next. As we grow as photographers we may seeks validation for a style of photography we are learning and be at a level where we are happy with our work in another style.

I don't know - I'm a nobody, but I think it is good to be honest with one's self about the reasons for our photography. Thanks again for sharing.

 

[tapesonthefloor]

I have my own opinions on Thom, but I'll get to that in a bit.

 

[inSIGHT]

I thought the essay was pretty good and covered the main points. But I agree with antiquark, Thom missed some things that are also relative. Sometimes I feel that photography for me is a tool to help me "search for myself" and does provide me with a different perspective on my surroundings and myself. I wouldn't agree that everyone's hierarchy of reasons to take photographs are the same either. Just making images that are pleasing to me isn't the highest level I can hope to achieve. There's just more to it than that, IMO.

 

[lynnb]

A basic requirement of photos I take for myself is that I have to feel pleased with them. What I feel pleased with has changed a lot over the years as I gained more experience, learned to appreciate different ways of seeing, and began to work out what view/s of the world I want to express through photography - my unique vision, so to speak. I look back at earlier work of mine and often wonder how I could ever have been pleased with it! And sometimes I see ideas that I had that I never pursued hard enough - but which now with more time and knowledge I can follow up.
What I want is a body of work that is identifiable to me by its consistent vision and high standard. That doesn't mean the vision can't evolve. Like Thom says, you can identify an Annie Leibovitz portrait, just like you can an Ansel Adams or John Paul Caponigro landscape or a Steve McCurry portrait. It's certainly an enjoyable and often frustrating experience working towards that - a never ending quest with moveable goalposts as new artists create new visions. That's what I understand "pleasing myself" to mean - developing my identifiable vision. I'm enjoying the journey and its challenges.
When the standard is high enough, recognition is a bonus. Any help with constructive criticism along the way is, of course, much appreciated.

 

[Colin Corneau]

I thought the essay was short but not terribly good.

 

[shadowfox]

I thought the essay was pretty good and covered the main points. But I agree with antiquark, Thom missed some things that are also relative. Sometimes I feel that photography for me is a tool to help me "search for myself" and does provide me with a different perspective on my surroundings and myself. I wouldn't agree that everyone's hierarchy of reasons to take photographs are the same either. Just making images that are pleasing to me isn't the highest level I can hope to achieve. There's just more to it than that, IMO.

That is hitting the nail right on the head.

Personal photography is something that a lot of people would easily get into, the problem is to realize that, one must forget the "traditions" and "rules" and "trends" that are usually put forth in front of us before we even begin to do photography.

I also think that Thom is using the wrong word/concept, we don't mimic, we *synthesize*. It's not that we aim to replicate what other's have done, but we conscious (and subconsciously) gather those images in our mind and when we see the scene in front of us, we use those stored images to guide us in making a new photograph.

The sooner we realize this, the more confident we will be in our photo-making. And not be burdened by the feeling of inferiority, thinking that all we can ever do is mimicking others.

 

[LTN]

That is hitting the nail right on the head.

Personal photography is something that a lot of people would easily get into, the problem is to realize that, one must forget the "traditions" and "rules" and "trends" that are usually put forth in front of us before we even begin to do photography.

I also think that Thom is using the wrong word/concept, we don't mimic, we *synthesize*. It's not that we aim to replicate what other's have done, but we conscious (and subconsciously) gather those images in our mind and when we see the scene in front of us, we use those stored images to guide us in making a new photograph.

The sooner we realize this, the more confident we will be in our photo-making. And not be burdened by the feeling of inferiority, thinking that all we can ever do is mimicking others.

Thank you for putting this into perspective for me. I've been burdened recently, with those feelings of inferiority for exactly the reasons stated. I've realized that each of my photographs is unique and inseparable from who I am and that uniqueness is what makes it all worthwhile. For now, that is enough.

 

[dave lackey]

Well, I guess Thom was talking about personal photography only and left the topic a bit short.

For those of us who are doing professional work, whether it be weddings, PJ, documentary, etc., well...there isn't much there.