I get more questions via email and social channels than I could answer in a lifetime, but occasionally one jumps out at me as incredibly worthwhile to share. The answer to this question is important, and my response is below. Chime in and let me know what you think:
“What’s more important as a photographer… to remove yourself from the photograph, or to make the photograph about you as a photographer?”
-from photographer Jay McLaughlin
In order to make the most successful, effective (read: insightful, moving, impactful, beautiful, etc) image, the photographer must be “present” in the image. Simply put, this is crucial–perhaps MOST important for any shooter– you should strive to make a photograph that no one else in the world can make. And the primary mode of being able to do this is to infuse your personal vision to the image. Period, whether it’s reportage, fine art, or a fashion shoot. Doing otherwise is creating a commodity – something that anyone, or an “other” can make– that can be bought or sold like a pork belly or a barrel of oil.
Making such a photo that no one else can make can take many forms–technical excellence is a part of that–but at it’s essence is the need to reflect a mood that only you can capture or evoke, based on your access, your knowledge, your interpersonal skills or otherwise. So you absolutely must put your fingerprints on the shot. It’s not “about” you (sic), but you are clearly present…
Thanks Jay for the evocative question. Readers please chime in below if you feel inspired, otherwise go make that photo that no one else can make.
As a up and coming shooter I can relate well with the question I couldn’t, are more. This is a question that I also wanted an answer to, I was feeling like I was doing something wrong when I was thinking to make my photo my brand by making the photo look good to me. Thank for the words of advise and if you ever find yourself in Bavaria, Germany give me a shout.
there’s nothing left to add. I agree 100 percent . The purpose of art is to express yourself. Tell your point of view. Without that, art would be repetitive and pointless.
Good question and even better answer. I could not agree with you more!
Thanks for this post – I completely agree. I’ve been saying for awhile that if you are in the business of selling ‘photographs’ then you’re going to be out of business very quickly. You have to sell something else – a vision, an experience, a style, a lifestyle, whatever. Not a commodity that can be created by anyone. You hit the nail on the head Chase, thanks.
Aren’t we all oak trees? Look deeply at how actively they are alive-leaves, roots, osmosis, evaporation, carbon , oxygen, on-and-on….think of how gorgeous and dynamic the photographs of all this oak-tree-ness is….yet, in terms of outward appearances the life of an oak tree is relatively boring, static, not much of a photo. How can we remove ourselves from the photo when we are the ones taking it? Maybe Rumi could-but when we try to be something other than the oak tree we are, we miss all the creative life ring stacked upon ring we can settle into capturng.