Finding a consistent vision in your photography takes one on a journey of self-discovery. It’s hard to create unique and breathe taking photographic images without delving into one’s self. If fear reigns, our photographs will convey this in the imagery. Our views of ourselves and the world are visibly shown in our photos.
This process is ongoing throughout the process of making photographic images. A well known photographer (that I had the privilege of meeting and taking workshops from) believed that our emotional state showed directly in our photographs. From experience, I would agree with this philosophy. I would add that on a bad emotional day, photography helps me find my way to a calmer emotional place. It becomes a meditative conduit.
Photography is art. It’s an immediate representation of ourselves in the moment that we press the shutter button. So, here are some questions to ask yourself about your photography. . .
Do I love what I see in front of my camera?
Does the subject bring an emotion to me? Or, is it just okay?
Do you feel rushed or pressured to take a photo quickly? Is this because of yourself? Or, another person?
Something to consider is simply that photography is an artform we can do with our phones, compact digital camera, DSLR camera, mirrorless camera, or film camera. We get to choose our medium as well as our subject. I think that it’s important to note that all of these mediums have the capability to create amazing and dynamic photographic images.
I do find that creating a project of series of photographs helps hone one’s vision. It can challenge you to improve or modify your photos. The macro flower photo above started a project. I took most of the photos with my cell phone, then invested in a compact digital camera. This new camera can focus closer and the photos have less artifacts. Also, I can enlarge them to larger sizes.
So, that’s all for now. Happy Shooting. . .Karen