What Kind of Photographer Are You?

Well, it seems to me that there is a trend of recently published books, “The Education of”, Or “What I learned in…”  I read a book a while back about the education of a chef, and another one called “The Education of a Photographer”.    And while I feel stupid admitting this, I can’t find the book about the chef, even on Amazon.  The one about photography was a compilation of Lenswork magazine.  But that’s OK, my points will still hold true. 

There are a lot of reasons to take pictures.  There are those who are very happy to use their cell phones and just keep their pictures in the cloud.  There are those who are willing to go a step further and buy a point and shoot camera and maybe print out their pictures to send to family members to share the memories of a holiday or special occasion. 

Then perhaps the next jump up are the folks that buy a DSLR because they feel that this will give them better pictures.  Out of that group, there will be some who will set it to program and never change it again.  There will be some that will realize that it’s not a point and shoot world, but there is so much more to photography.  So, a large portion of that small demographic will go on to learn the technical basics of capturing the world around them photographically. 

But ultimately there will be a group that will come to realize that photography is a creative, artistic medium.  Capable of being an art form.  I want to set the tone for the next several articles that will look at critiquing our work.  Let’s start by trying to define what it is we do and where we fit into this photographic hierarchy. 

What constitutes art?  Or for that matter an artist?  The points that I’ll lay out here are not intended to be a definitive explanation, or an all-inclusive definition in any way.  But they are where I want to start in our pursuit of a description of what it is we’re doing. 

Firstly, can art be taught?  There are those who seem to think that we can all be artists.  While I think that there is some merit to that idea.  We all have a creative side that we can explore and express.  With that said, I also don’t think that everyone can be a great artist.  An artist that will be remembered and honored.   We can all learn techniques and theories.  We can express ourselves and communicate our thoughts, ideas, and feelings creatively.  

The next step after that becomes, will that expression capture the attention of the viewer.  An artist in the historical sense needs to at some point have a following, or audience that can relate to their work, whether that’s with their contemporaries, or in historical hindsight.  I think the role of a teacher and the most he or she can do is help someone find their direction, style, or voice.  By asking the questions and raising points that will inspire, encourage, and challenge the artist to better express themselves.  This probably falls better under the definition of a mentor than a teacher.

Defining Art – the value, production, expression, or domain, per aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary.  So, by definition, (and connecting this to the post about objectivity and subjectivity which I haven’t been able to find to repost) this is a very subjective pursuit.  That’s how we end up with all kinds of crazy installations and exhibits.  There are so many points of view and so many opinions that if you could wrangle enough people to understand your creations then it will find its place in the art world.

However, the creation of art is the ability to take your perceptiveness, insights, and awareness of the things, feelings, and people around us and express them in a tactile way.  Whether that is sculpture, painting, music, poetry, theater, or even photography.

It’s the job of the artist to facilitate the creation of their visions, opinions, ideas, and thoughts into something more tangible than any of those nouns.  It’s the artist’s job to look, think, listen, and be aware of their environment, lifestyles, and feelings then express this filtered through their life’s experiences and present it in their chosen medium. 

So why did I start here?  We as photographers need to experience an awakening to what it is we pursue.  Where do we fit on the hierarchal scale that I started with?  It took me a long time to understand that I wasn’t a point and shoot kind of guy.  I wanted to create.  To show a piece of myself.  That’s why the name “Peace of My Heart Photography” spoke to me so much.  I wanted to be a “creative”.  I wanted an outlet!  Then much like the beatnik generation of Greenwich Village, or the hippie’s summer of love at Haight Ashbury, or dare I say the f64 group of photographers, I wanted to gather like-minded folks together.  To pursue our creative ideas visions, and challenges.  To learn from each other and inspire each other.  Each growing and keeping ourselves accountable. 

Knowing what it is we’re doing with our art, creations, photography, or whatever label you want to give it.  It’s my thought that we take this commitment of an artist community to heart.  Belonging to such a group will naturally give us a forum to receive and offer constructive criticism and critique and the opportunity to work and rework ideas. Not to yield, or sur-come to someone else’s ideas, but to hone our skills and vision as students and teachers to each other.  To experiment in a safe comfortable environment that encourages us to grow as artists.