Expressing Myself
I think it is important for photographers to give thought and to acknowledge clearly whether their primary motivation is success or creativity. Although success and creativity are not mutually exclusive, when one or the other is considered as the primary driver behind a photographer’s work, each comes with risks and rewards the other does not.
-Guy Tal, The Interior Landscape, 2023
I just finished Guy Tal’s new book, The Interior Landscape, Rocky Nook, 2023. The subtitle made me smile, The Landscape on Both Sides of the Camera: Reflections on Art, Creativity, Expression, and a Life in Photography.
Gaggle 23016NWND850C_5x4
II have been studying the contemporary master’s of expressive photography, Guy Tal, Michael E. Gordon, Rafael Rojas, Roman Loranc, Joe Cornish, and Jeff Conley, to name a few. I am attracted to this photographic approach. It very much suits my current photographic ideals and aspirations. And I think the personal benefits of practicing creative photography far outweigh any risks.
My intention is not to mimic the techniques or the best practices of these masters. On the contrary, I want to become an expressive photographer of merit by studying and learning from their experiences and insights, not from mimicking them. I want to create photographs that express meaning and hold the viewer's attention beyond the social media pretty picture pause. Most of all, I want to create photographs that make me happy, proud, and reflect my experiences.
Shevlin Spring 2214121NWND850C_5-4
The transition requires a new attitude and mindset. It means abandoning well-worn algorithms, templates, recipes, and defined composition rules. It means adopting a mindful in-the-moment vantage point, embedding personal meaning into each image, practicing conscious composition, and understanding that it is as much about the experience as it is about capturing a photograph. It also means accepting failure.
This head-long launch is scary. But I am committed. And after reading Tal’s book, gone are any lingering tribulations. I am focused and self-confident. The transformation is underway.
Thank you for your support, feedback, and wisdom.
Cheers,
Steve
Light Winds 23013NWND850C_3x2
