Seems like the more I listen, the more I hear people talking about the gear, the business of photography, the widgets. Let us not forget the simple love of photography.
I understand why there’s so much rhetoric in our industry about the business of photography and the gear and the gadgets. There is the common stereotype that most creative people aren’t good business people. There is fear. Gear is easier to talk about than vision. Exposures are exact, the camera dials have numbers. There is a ‘right’ answer to many of these questions.
But where is your love of pictures? Where are your actions that back this up?
Can you pick up a book of photographs and get lost in it?
Can you walk around with your iPhone or Android or your point and shoot or whatever and take 100 pictures knowing that they’ll never be for a client or a portfolio?
Do you love hunting for pictures?
Will you stay up late or get up early for pictures?
Do you sometimes ‘see’ life as a photograph?
It’s different for all of us, but when you can take a break from all the chatter, remind yourself–as often as you can–why you love photography.
Exactly. Worse, too many complicate the process unnecessarily. “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” -Albert Einstein.
great article! uncomplicated and to the point!
Well put. Simple. I get into these conversations all of the time. It drives me crazy. I just love taking photos. Thats it. I dream at night through a viewfinder. I wish I had an SD card in my brain to capture things when my camera is not on me.
Chellise Michael
Yup, yup, yup. So true, love your blogs and behind the camera video segments also.
I definitely see the world in photographs. I notice myself tilting my head or taking a step to the side to look at something from a point of view that I might shoot it from.
I also sometimes catch myself thinking “that won’t make it
to print” or “this isn’t something I can use in my portfolio” and kick myself for not just grabbing my camera and SHOOTING PHOTOS.
Nice post. A reminder for all of us.