Godfrey
somewhat colored
I'm not entirely sure one way or the other on this one, but there's the kernel of an interesting idea in it.
https://youtu.be/wEbwT2Ay3qg
What are your thoughts?
G
https://youtu.be/wEbwT2Ay3qg
What are your thoughts?
G
Shab
Veteran
Hi Godfrey,
I have seen the video and I've tried to understand it but my English level is "too basic". Sometimes he speaks too fast for me... but I think that I've understood the "principal idea".
He talks about a very interesting point: "why do you make photographs? or "why are you a photographer?"
I know why I make photographs: because it's the best way (for me) to discover what is around me and "tell" what I have inside me.
I love to take a camera with me all the time. Yes, all the time. There are days that I don't make any photograph. It doesn't matter. There are days I make a some photographs.
And yes, I like to share my photographs. And when people tell me they like them it's like a sweet hug for me. I think everybody feels something like that. We need to feel each other in this way.
Some years ago a man told me he thought my pictures were really special, that he shared some of my "Domestic Symphonies" portraits to a great Spanish photographer and that he told him I should share these portraits in a great "exhibition" and that they would help me for that.
It was a big feeling for me, but in my heart I knew it wasn't what I wanted to do in that moment.
Maybe you will ask "what was/is what I want?" OK, what I want is to capture the little things that I live in my life, things that touch my heart. Then, I hope, maybe, these pictures will touch viewer's hearts/minds. If it would be true, it would be great.
Sometimes I think I don't want to share little stories with the views... my dream is that my pictures could create some stories in the viewer's mind/heart. Then it would be like I would be a poet who wrote with light...
Yes, I dream too high. (a little smile).
After the Covid experience I'm living with from February I think a lot about this. There have been 4 months that I wasn't able to use a camera. At first I felt a real disgust when I thought of a camera. It's hard to explain it... In July, I began to make some pictures with my smartphone. My sons and daughter where so happy when they saw me making a picture... what an experience!! Some weeks later I began to make photographs with my X-T3... and yesterday was the first day I enjoyed with my heart/mind making photographs with my film cameras (OM-1n and M5).
In the last 3 weeks I have been thinking a lot about what I want to do with my photographs. And finally I've decided to share some of them "physically". I have made three little books, like "micro-books". Each micro book has 10 photographs. The series name is "Itsasertzetik" ("From the Seashore" in English). I have been choosing the photographs with my family, slowly. I think, each picture could create a little story in the viewer.
I will make a test with a friend. I will share with him one of these micro books I have made and I will see his reaction. When I showed the first book to my wife, she was looking at each photograph 20 seconds, more or less, with a little smile in her face. It was great for me. Yes, I know, she loves me a so, it makes a big difference...
I hope I haven't bored you with my words.
A little smile,
Xabier.
P.S.: I'm sorry because my low English level. It's very hard to share "deep" ideas/thoughts in English to me.
I have seen the video and I've tried to understand it but my English level is "too basic". Sometimes he speaks too fast for me... but I think that I've understood the "principal idea".
He talks about a very interesting point: "why do you make photographs? or "why are you a photographer?"
I know why I make photographs: because it's the best way (for me) to discover what is around me and "tell" what I have inside me.
I love to take a camera with me all the time. Yes, all the time. There are days that I don't make any photograph. It doesn't matter. There are days I make a some photographs.
And yes, I like to share my photographs. And when people tell me they like them it's like a sweet hug for me. I think everybody feels something like that. We need to feel each other in this way.
Some years ago a man told me he thought my pictures were really special, that he shared some of my "Domestic Symphonies" portraits to a great Spanish photographer and that he told him I should share these portraits in a great "exhibition" and that they would help me for that.
It was a big feeling for me, but in my heart I knew it wasn't what I wanted to do in that moment.
Maybe you will ask "what was/is what I want?" OK, what I want is to capture the little things that I live in my life, things that touch my heart. Then, I hope, maybe, these pictures will touch viewer's hearts/minds. If it would be true, it would be great.
Sometimes I think I don't want to share little stories with the views... my dream is that my pictures could create some stories in the viewer's mind/heart. Then it would be like I would be a poet who wrote with light...
Yes, I dream too high. (a little smile).
After the Covid experience I'm living with from February I think a lot about this. There have been 4 months that I wasn't able to use a camera. At first I felt a real disgust when I thought of a camera. It's hard to explain it... In July, I began to make some pictures with my smartphone. My sons and daughter where so happy when they saw me making a picture... what an experience!! Some weeks later I began to make photographs with my X-T3... and yesterday was the first day I enjoyed with my heart/mind making photographs with my film cameras (OM-1n and M5).
In the last 3 weeks I have been thinking a lot about what I want to do with my photographs. And finally I've decided to share some of them "physically". I have made three little books, like "micro-books". Each micro book has 10 photographs. The series name is "Itsasertzetik" ("From the Seashore" in English). I have been choosing the photographs with my family, slowly. I think, each picture could create a little story in the viewer.
I will make a test with a friend. I will share with him one of these micro books I have made and I will see his reaction. When I showed the first book to my wife, she was looking at each photograph 20 seconds, more or less, with a little smile in her face. It was great for me. Yes, I know, she loves me a so, it makes a big difference...
I hope I haven't bored you with my words.
A little smile,
Xabier.
P.S.: I'm sorry because my low English level. It's very hard to share "deep" ideas/thoughts in English to me.
John Bragg
Well-known
I personally like sharing my photos. I used to care deeply if someone didn't like them, but now not so much. I am more confident in my ability and, being wholely a film based photographer, I am in love with the physicality and tactile nature of the medium. I love to print my work and share physical copies and not just scans on the web. I also relish a challenge and portraiture helps me to connect with the subject in a unique way. There is no chimping with film and so when my subject is presented with the final print, there is a sense of awe and wonder. In the past weeks I photographed a very shy lady and it was a fascinating process making her relax and accept that her inner beauty would shine through. I had a one word response "Wow!" and a broad grin when she saw her portrait. That is all the reward I seek. That and as said in the video, the inner satisfaction of the act of image making in a time tested way.
pyeh
Member of good standing
Xabier, I'm very happy to read your story, to hear that you are recovering mentally and physically from your Covid ordeal. I also believe your Domestic Symphony series is special and extraordinary. I hope we all get to see your micro books in time.
ColSebastianMoran
( IRL Richard Karash )
Minor White said, "The photographer's job is not done until the print is on the wall and viewed."
KenR
Well-known
I give out my photos to those family and friends who express interest and seem to genuinely want them. I generally make up a themed calendar and send it out each year. Thus far all have been B&W, but my surprise for 2022 is a color calendar that I am in the process of making up. It is a year in the life of a local apple orchard, of of the last in the county that I reside in. While I started the project just before Covid, most of the photos were done during Covid lockdowns and surges. It has kept me focused and sane during these horrible days.
I love to view photography in galleries, museums and books… so surely, the next step is to make your own. I’d do it without viewers, but it’s a lot nicer when someone appreciates what you do, no matter what it is. That said, negative feedback is always part of the same puzzle when you put yourself out there. It’s ok, but you always have to consider the source when it comes to negative feedback. Do they understand what you are trying to do? Are they knowledgeable? Do they prefer the cliches?
Larry Cloetta
Veteran
Xabier,
Your photographs and your words are both wonderful. Don’t worry about your English. The deepest thoughts are usually expressed with the simplest vocabulary anyway, so your words were more than enough.
KenR
Well-known
Most people are well meaning and say nice things just to be polite. My wife is a reliable critic - most often she gets it and her critiques are helpful. One friend is a very thoughtful critic - usually spot on in his comments, both negative and positive. Every one else is generally ignored except for the “this would look so nice in color” comments - no soup for them.
Darthfeeble
But you can call me Steve
Photography for me is my art. Showing it is a way of validating the urge. As Shab so elegantly said, positive feed back is a hug.
bluesun267
Well-known
I've been on a binge watch of Photographic Eye's videos lately. I find him often brilliant and always enlightening. His pieces on specific photographers are a great refresher course. Like this one on Annie Leibovitz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7hbm7EgUOo
I like that he particularly rejects the now overwhelming concentration on gear among the other photo-related channels on YT
I like that he particularly rejects the now overwhelming concentration on gear among the other photo-related channels on YT