A Realization
Posted on: April 26, 201010 Comments |
Over the past month or so I just had not been feeling it. Work was piling up, other interests were interceding, and the camera, aw that damned camera, was becoming a liability. And having been on Flickr for nearly 2 1/2 years, I was growing tired of seeing the same old crap: face paint, uninteresting ideas, jump shots, selective color, the list is endless. Even this blog was pissing me off, as it was eating up too much time trying to think up something I felt someone would read and comment on.
So I did what I had not done in all the time I’ve had a DSLR. I put it in the bag and ignored it.
Think about that for a moment. After 2 1/2 years of shooting nearly every day, I stopped. And damn it, it felt great.
And being the reflective one, I sat back and reassessed what I wanted with my photography.
I’ve realized that not every pic has to be perfect, that I don’t have to go back and forth wondering what to upload, and that every pic doesn’t need a strobe. I think I’d forgotten what originally drew me to photography.
It wasn’t trying to impress you, to make Explore, get 50 comments, or process the hell out of something to try and make shit look like solid gold. No, it was the emotions that a photo can capture and convey.
Let me interject there that Flickr, while being a great means of letting others see your work and vice versa, constructs a certain amount of peer pressure via its system of commenting that turns reciprocal and even certain styles that become prevalent for a time.
I actually thought about that a lot while I was in New Orleans over a week ago. I realized that when I got back home and uploaded the pics that they wouldn’t receive the type of response a strobed SP would. In fact, the strobes stayed in the bags 90% of the time. I realized that these pics had to be for me for once. And so they were.
Most of what I got in New Orleans are nothing more than snap shots capturing a time and a place. In fact, a lot of what I’ve posted isn’t that great. The composition is off, the focus is wack, and the night shots are filled with digital noise. And I could care less. Because when I look at them I remember laughing my ass off with some people I consider not just good friends, but great friends, I remember walking through a city that five years ago I figured was pretty much done for only to arise from a watery grave, and I recall finally that the camera I’m holding isn’t always going to capture the perfect image. In fact, I doubt it ever will. And you know, I’m fine with that.
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April 26th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Brad, taking a break is important. The pressure you put on yourself to always have the camera, to take a picture everyday can be a drag. I’ve never done a 365 and have spoiled three 32 week attempts but because I know it’ll force me to resent the camera. In a way it can cheapen the art in it for me.
While it’s true that you need to constantly practice and use the camera to learn and grow, it’s equally important to put it away sometimes. Think of it from an athletes point of view, they are some of the most dedicated people there are. But rest is just as important as working those muscles. It gives the mind and body time to recuperate.
I often go a week or longer in between taking a picture. It kills me sometimes but by the time I pick the camera up again, I feel like I NEED to do it, feel the desire and feed off it.
April 26th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
I’ve been feeling the same way and have stopped pulling the camera out all the time. this weekend was a great example. I had the choice to shoot another fashion show or stay home and veg around the house all weekend. so i stayed home and vegged.
sure i went out and hung out, but i didn’t take the camera. i thought about ideas and projects, but i didn’t really shoot much. i went on a hike on sunday and shot a few snaps of the area, but like you, my compo was off and whatever, but i didn’t care because the shots were just for me and my kid and the nephew who went with us to remember our fun.
i have been feeling so uninspired though lately and my camera is acting up and i keep thinking maybe i am done…i cannot afford a new camera, so why even bother? i’m in a funk i think…
April 26th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
exactly why i haven’t been on flickr much for awhile man…good for you Bradford.
April 27th, 2010 at 9:55 am
I think this is just awesome. Please keep this attitude and I love the pictures way better than strobed SPs anyday. =) Thanks for sharing!
April 27th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
I really enjoy your work, and the fact you actually think (and write about) the process is a huge bonus for me. Oh, and thanks for leaving the strobes in the bag; the work is better (for me) for it.
April 27th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
I feel the same way. I’m going to try to do something to get out of my post-New Orleans funk.
And you’re right, I shot some crap this past weekend that I will always love because of the people I was with.
April 28th, 2010 at 4:34 am
I tried and failed with my first 365. This time around I have a completely different attitude. I don’t always have to take a self portrait. And I know from the get-go that it will not get as many comments as a SP would. And I am fine with that. I enjoy taking a picture everyday. That’s just me.
April 28th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
This really struck a chord with me. I’m feeling really photo-mojo-less at the moment and I’m not sure why. After I read your article I was processing some pictures and realised that some of the best pictures were some of the ones that weren’t perfect.
I guess I’ve got to get back to making pictures for me, instead of taking pictures for everyone and then feeling disappointed that they don’t get many views. I want people to enjoy what I do, but I need to stop trying too hard and just enjoy.
PS enjoying the blog!
May 3rd, 2010 at 1:47 pm
I joined flickr because it’s the only place I could see getting feedback on my photos and I could learn new and better techniques, tips, tricks and general critique.
I’ve discovered this is the worst place mainly because of what you describe. Nobody really tells you want you’ve done wrong, could have done better or tried for a different effect. I always feel like I’m chasing comments and always failing, purely because my interpersonal skills is slightly removed from that of a brick.
I’m a geek with ticks, I say the wrong thing, and never know how to fakepliment. When I see a photo I like I say “wow awesome” or similar short and sweet expressions of admiration and awe. I cannot compete on the social side, and get mostly ignored by the masses and donkey.
But where else do you go to get good constructive feedback on what you are doing?
May 4th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Hi Orbitgal
I know what you mean. Well said about flickr – man you said it honestly! It can be a trap and it can make you wonder about why aren’t my pictures more popular??? And you end up doing photos for popularity on flickr instead of what’s important to you.
I’ve had a big break from Flickr as I chosed to make some money from microstocks. I haven’t made much money and it was a bore, as most of the pictures I ended up taking were of objects. Not what I got the camera for.
So, I’m back on flickr, I’m offering my ‘skills’ to other ‘artists’ now and I’m taking people again. It feels much better. Especially working with other ‘artists’ and taking people.
Thanks for post