Vision.

The thing about vision is, you don't know if you don't have it.

By vision, of course, I mean an actual creative aesthetic, a premeditated purpose and intent with what you are creating. (Not just how your eyes see)

The same is true about style (see my previous post).

If you don't know you don't have something, it would make perfect sense that you believe you are operating under full capacity.  You plug along, playing with your little toys, thinking, "Oh, isn't that cute?", "Oh, I like the smile in this one."  All the while, never realizing that you are creating something with no emotion, no impact.  Sure, you can say you are, but then again, you don't have the vision, so your opinion is not fully informed.

 You can't learn vision.  You can't buy vision.  Vision isn't a Photoshop plug-in. 

Vision is having an understanding of who someone is, their tastes, how they see the world, and being able to create something in line with that.  True photos are not one size fits all. 

That's why I just can't believe how some people can buy all kinds of exterior crap, massive setups, fake backgrounds, silly props, etc. etc. etc. I'm not saying SOME of those things can't be an enhancement, at times.  What I'm saying is, that everything in a photo should speak to the purpose of the photo.  If you put a pair of bunny ears on a kid and tell them to hold a giant easter egg, what does that say about the child?  Absolutely nothing.  It says that you told them to put on a pair of bunny ears and hold a giant easter egg. And that's it.

But being with a new mother in her home, seeing how motherhood is changing her, understanding her view on the child that is in front of me, THAT informs a photo. Trying to create a photo that captures the intimacy and wonder of an ultrasound, and being successful. THAT is what I remember about good photos.  The feeling they exude.

As I mentioned before, I want to be a witness.  One of the things I love about photography is it's ability to capture.  And, if all you're capturing is something fake and forced, then what a waste of this art. 

I hope to always, ALWAYS be a witness to this artform rather than an outsider.

Style and taste

Recently, I've been thinking alot about style.  As in, one's style of photography, one's style of interacting with people, one's own personal style.

Style and taste are not mutually inclusive.  They are tangents of each other.  You may have bad taste, but a style specific to you. 

Anyhow, I suppose I'm in the process of defining my own personal photographic style.  It's not about being pretentious, or condascending.  It's about a definition, and understanding that yes, there is such a thing as bad photography.

I can't say exactly what my style is, yet. 

But here's the thing. 

If you like the photos you can get at the mall, my style is not for you.

If you think a muslin backdrop is pretty, my style is not for you.

If you want photos of your kids holding props and wearing funny hats while someone shakes a rattle, my style is definitely not for you.


So, with that, I will try to explain what I am about. 

I want to be a witness.

I don't want to be the cause of an action in a photograph, I want to be a testament to that action's existence.

It's a struggle, to be sure, because it's so easy to want to control everything and force a photo.  But that's not what I feel makes a good photo. Definitely not what makes a great photo. 

So, if my style makes sense to you, then cool.  Let's go.

If not, have fun at the mall.  Pick me up a Cinnabon.