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Photo Forum / General Photo Topics / General Topics / May 2006Photographers-Do you think outside the box?
Photographers, Do You Think Outside The Box? This week I have tried for something some of my readers may or may not find a little controversial, perhaps even offensive, especially those among who consider themselves to be true artists. Never mind, a little lively debate, and even name-calling, always makes for interesting reading. So, here we go: The creative possibilities of photography are limitless. But rarely do any of us really exploit those possibilities to the fullest. That's because most of us take the easy road, the path of least resistance. What I mean is, many photographers who should know better tend to shoot the same old stereotyped images that have been shot over and over to a point where they have become boring. Let me ask you a question: How many versions of the same shot, same viewpoint, same weather conditions, have you seen of the famous Ansel Adams image, "Yosemite Valley from Inspiration Point?" I, personally have seen it done so many times that even the original holds no interest for me now, and that's saying something. So, what to do? Well, you need to start thinking CREATIVELY. What you have just read is just the beginning of an article for photographers in the latest issue of CreativePhoto Newsletter. You can get it at my website. Blair www.blairhoward.com >Photographers, Do You Think Outside The Box? Giving your message this cringeworthy cliché as a title has put me right off. This is horrible 'management-speak' normally heard during Powerpoint presentations. Dave. 2500 hi-resolution photos especially Edinburgh * No advertisements * http://www.henniker.org.uk * délété david to use email address * >>Photographers, Do You Think Outside The Box? >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >* No advertisements * http://www.henniker.org.uk >* délété david to use email address * May 27, 2006, from Lloyd Erlick, Thank you for posting this. I had exactly the same reaction when I saw it. I read about photography for pleasure and edification, as well as professional development. Material that sounds like it was written by software cringeworthy, indeed, and thanks for that word! is immediately ignored. Low quality writing about photography hurts all photographers because it gives a misimpression about the endeavour of photography, and because it puts off people who might otherwise become interested and involved. regards, --le ________________________________ Lloyd Erlick Portraits, Toronto. website: www.heylloyd.com telephone: 416-686-0326 email: portrait@heylloyd.com ________________________________ >>>Photographers, Do You Think Outside The Box? >>> [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > email: portrait@heylloyd.com > ________________________________ Well I have to agree that this challenge question was horribly written. But I would like to rewrite the question or at least ask something similar. I realize that business questions have to be asked and most of the messages in this group are things like "What is the neatest camera or best lens?" But I think this newsgroup also happens to be one of the most boring. So what makes a photographer? Or what makes a photographer an artist? Just because you bought the latest Sony or Nikon camera and can make really sharp photographs that are 10 Megapixels or whatever-so what. That makes you a Sony or Nikon sales demonstration peon. Lets face it, a camera really only has a few parameters: focus, aperture, and exposure. And I rarely care about these as it is done automatically by a machine. Hate to bust anyone's ego but many television remote controls are more complicated. Is photography in some kind of crisis? Elton John just recently mentioned that photographers should all be shot. Well, personally I feel many musicians deserve similar treatment but I don't want to go into that. But what makes a photographer more than some guy with a tape recorder? Personally, I think anybody can be a photographer. If some guy fumbles with a Polaroid to take an overexposed picture of his newborn daughter, he is more successful at the art of photography than most photographers ever will be. He has captured an emotional and lasting memory. He may have an audience of only one. On the other hand, suppose a political enemy of the state is thrown in prison and composes the world's greatest symphony. He has no audience, but would he deserve to be called an artist? I know he wouldn't be a photographer because it seems unlikely they would allow a camera in a prison, but I had to make my point. Does anyone remember the photograph of the man stopping a column of tanks in communist China? That is one of my favorite photographs. Humbling to know that you are not allowed to see that photograph if you are Chinese. So yeah, I was told in my intro to photography class that photography IS an art. But I'm asking why is it art? Ah hell, I'm not even going to plug my photography internet site. I admit I'm still on a long road to becoming any kind of photographer/artist. Just wanted to start a discussion. Thanks |
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