I have been thinking why some people test and test and never truly commit to their photography, I think its a form of fear. If you say your done with the testing then your more responsible for what work you do produce, you are shit out of excuses so to speak. You cannot say well this is only a test I am still working on it, maybe it will be better with this or that or the other thing. If you make your choices your forced to live with them and there results in your final print. But if your in forever test mode you have an out, you have a built excuse for any perceived failure.
I think back to something Jock Sturges told me. We were discussing people showing their work in public and how very few photographers could just put up a work and remain silent. Even more difficult was the artist being able to discuss the heart-soul behind the pictures. They would almost always resort to tech talk, lens, shutter speeds, films and the like as soon as they would show work. Sturges felt this was a bit of insecurity on their part. The photographer was afraid to let his photograph stand on its own, they were afraid to let their true emotions come forth, they instead covered up that insecurity with tech talk. When you place your work on display for critiques your going out on a limb, your putting your inside thoughts on emotions on display, it is difficult. It is much easier to just put your head in a shell and bombard people with tech data, or to tell them, this is not the final work it's only a test. It is a built in excuse and insecurity system.
I think that's why some photo people continually test, they have a fear, they are afraid to commit to anything. If they commit they will be forced to produce work, real work. not tests. Many folks just feel safer producing tests. In a way its very sad, the photographers lack of commitment and faith in their own creations is so damaging and wasteful. It is like they never graduate, never get out of summer school classes, they never make choices or are truly committed to their art form.
Maybe this is an important step that many photographers cannot take, not taking that step holds them at the level they are at. Maybe only the folks that continue to progress make the difficult choices, maybe that is one of the things that separates them from the hobbyist amateur semi wannabe types.
I always felt it was all about commitment and hard work but it is also about putting your heart out their and taking the chance its going to get stepped on. Not being afraid to be ridiculed or made fun of, taking the chance to say what you have to say no matter the opinions, condemnation, punishment from your peers. Doing what you feel is most important, overcoming the fears of a photographer. I guess what it boils down to is not being afraid to take chances, show your heart, and go it alone.
I know many times personally in club settings I took ridicule because of my subject selections. I think thou that is part of finding your own voice, your own path. Most people follow the group thought thing, and do what's expected of them. Their subject choices are things like trees, mountains, traditional landscapes, old buildings, flowers, cute kid portraits, they never really step out of what is accepted by the majority. I think thou the only way you can get to another level, your own semi unique level is to disregard the group think acceptance mode and take chances on your own. Do not be another mindless lemming walking off the cliff with everyone else, find your own unique fun way to die : )).
I have to make a decision soon about spending more time making pictures and less time doing security and other things. Will I have the courage to proceed? Or will I play it safe like most everyone I know.
I think back to something Jock Sturges told me. We were discussing people showing their work in public and how very few photographers could just put up a work and remain silent. Even more difficult was the artist being able to discuss the heart-soul behind the pictures. They would almost always resort to tech talk, lens, shutter speeds, films and the like as soon as they would show work. Sturges felt this was a bit of insecurity on their part. The photographer was afraid to let his photograph stand on its own, they were afraid to let their true emotions come forth, they instead covered up that insecurity with tech talk. When you place your work on display for critiques your going out on a limb, your putting your inside thoughts on emotions on display, it is difficult. It is much easier to just put your head in a shell and bombard people with tech data, or to tell them, this is not the final work it's only a test. It is a built in excuse and insecurity system.
I think that's why some photo people continually test, they have a fear, they are afraid to commit to anything. If they commit they will be forced to produce work, real work. not tests. Many folks just feel safer producing tests. In a way its very sad, the photographers lack of commitment and faith in their own creations is so damaging and wasteful. It is like they never graduate, never get out of summer school classes, they never make choices or are truly committed to their art form.
Maybe this is an important step that many photographers cannot take, not taking that step holds them at the level they are at. Maybe only the folks that continue to progress make the difficult choices, maybe that is one of the things that separates them from the hobbyist amateur semi wannabe types.
I always felt it was all about commitment and hard work but it is also about putting your heart out their and taking the chance its going to get stepped on. Not being afraid to be ridiculed or made fun of, taking the chance to say what you have to say no matter the opinions, condemnation, punishment from your peers. Doing what you feel is most important, overcoming the fears of a photographer. I guess what it boils down to is not being afraid to take chances, show your heart, and go it alone.
I know many times personally in club settings I took ridicule because of my subject selections. I think thou that is part of finding your own voice, your own path. Most people follow the group thought thing, and do what's expected of them. Their subject choices are things like trees, mountains, traditional landscapes, old buildings, flowers, cute kid portraits, they never really step out of what is accepted by the majority. I think thou the only way you can get to another level, your own semi unique level is to disregard the group think acceptance mode and take chances on your own. Do not be another mindless lemming walking off the cliff with everyone else, find your own unique fun way to die : )).
I have to make a decision soon about spending more time making pictures and less time doing security and other things. Will I have the courage to proceed? Or will I play it safe like most everyone I know.
