so much angst! why?

thegman said:
I agree with everything you have said except the reasoning. I think it's probably got more to do with photography being *too easy* not that it's not easy.

Many types of angst come from self doubt, and you're not likely to suffer from self doubt if you've achieved something unquestionably amazing like climbing Everest, or sailing solo around the world. But the very, very best photographers in the world have only ever pointed a camera at a subject.

Now that's deliberately simplified of course, but the difference between a crappy portfolio and a great one could probably be considered quite slight, and definitely considered a matter of opinion. On the other hand, if you've completed a full triathlon, it's not a matter of opinion that it's a great achievement.

If one of us had taken an amazing photo, on a par with HCB, would we even know we'd done it?
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I like what you wrote here, very perceptive.

I think the value of photography -- at least in the beginning -- is more inward-facing. Since I started doing photography, I see many different things in the world around me that I've never noticed before. And that alone brings me a great joy and allows me to look at situations in my own life with a different perspective. In a way, it enriches my life.

At this level, "angst" is mostly self-doubt, and it's only use is to push us to produce better pictures.

Taking it to the next step like selling prints, exhibiting in galleries, etc., then the requirement increases with the addition of marketing yourself, being consistent, making great portfolio and that "little something" called building connection or networking.

Once you get to this level, "angst" is unavoidable, it's tough out there, not only because there are a lot of really good photographers, but also the standard of appreciation in general is just as low as ever.

You could be creating a set of exquisite photos, but only 1000 people in the world would appreciate it, not the 10,000,000 looking for "art" while not knowing what "good art" is -- not because they are stupid, but because they haven't developed their standard yet. So your chances to meet those 1000 people are pretty slim.
 
shadowfox said:
I like what you wrote here, very perceptive.

I think the value of photography -- at least in the beginning -- is more inward-facing. Since I started doing photography, I see many different things in the world around me that I've never noticed before. And that alone brings me a great joy and allows me to look at situations in my own life with a different perspective. In a way, it enriches my life.

At this level, "angst" is mostly self-doubt, and it's only use is to push us to produce better pictures.

Taking it to the next step like selling prints, exhibiting in galleries, etc., then the requirement increases with the addition of marketing yourself, being consistent, making great portfolio and that "little something" called building connection or networking.

Once you get to this level, "angst" is unavoidable, it's tough out there, not only because there are a lot of really good photographers, but also the standard of appreciation in general is just as low as ever.

You could be creating a set of exquisite photos, but only 1000 people in the world would appreciate it, not the 10,000,000 looking for "art" while not knowing what "good art" is -- not because they are stupid, but because they haven't developed their standard yet. So your chances to meet those 1000 people are pretty slim.
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I quite agree, I too have noticed more things around me since I have taken up photography. I've noticed different shapes, different types of light, and certain scenes near where I live which I previously ignored, but now found them to be interesting, even if ugly.

And on the marketing front, 100 times yes, in my other hobby of computing, there are so many systems head and shoulders above the rest which fail due to a lack of marketing, or simply not being in fashion at the right time.

Computing has become somewhat fashion driven now, as photography probably always has been, so it's not a matter of making something good, it's a matter of making something good within the remit of the current fad.
 
thegman said:
I agree with everything you have said except the reasoning. I think it's probably got more to do with photography being *too easy* not that it's not easy.

I see what you are saying but I really do believe making a great photograph is extremely difficult.

To take your example of climbing Mt. Everest: even within that great acheivement of physical endurance there are easier ways and harder ways - you can be escorted up the North side by guides who make sure rope is laid every step of the way by Sherpas, and who keep your supply lines open, keep doctors on hand, monitor the weather etc. etc... Or you could attempt the West Ridge as did Willi Unsoeld and Tom Hornbein in the 60's, enduring a much more dangerous, technical, physically demanding route with far less support. So while the final acheivement is the same, all mountaineers are not equal and they can get to the summit different ways.

Or take writing, which is perhaps a much better comparison to photography since they can both be a means to create art. You are saying that making a photo is easy, which is true in the tecnical sense - I point a camera at something and click, I made a photo. But writing is also very easy for those trained in it. Simply drag a pen across paper and make one of 26 symbols and technically, I'm "writing". But very few people have the skill to write a masterpiece, and how exactly does one go about explaining to someone else how to write the next "For Whom the Bell Tolls"? So "writing" (the skill) is different from "writing" (the art), and great writing is quite hard. Likewise, while the physical act of making a photo is easy, making a great photo is very hard, and there are many failures for every success we can have, and for me, therein some angst as well.
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shadowfox said:
I like what you wrote here, very perceptive.

I think the value of photography -- at least in the beginning -- is more inward-facing. Since I started doing photography, I see many different things in the world around me that I've never noticed before. And that alone brings me a great joy and allows me to look at situations in my own life with a different perspective. In a way, it enriches my life.

At this level, "angst" is mostly self-doubt, and it's only use is to push us to produce better pictures.

Taking it to the next step like selling prints, exhibiting in galleries, etc., then the requirement increases with the addition of marketing yourself, being consistent, making great portfolio and that "little something" called building connection or networking.

Once you get to this level, "angst" is unavoidable, it's tough out there, not only because there are a lot of really good photographers, but also the standard of appreciation in general is just as low as ever.

You could be creating a set of exquisite photos, but only 1000 people in the world would appreciate it, not the 10,000,000 looking for "art" while not knowing what "good art" is -- not because they are stupid, but because they haven't developed their standard yet. So your chances to meet those 1000 people are pretty slim.
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Right on the money.
 
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