As an avid photographer, an artist, and a technical sort of person, I see the same conversations unfold every single day in the various photography communities that I am a member of - "What camera should I buy? What settings did you use? What software can I use to edit?"
Link to Kelsey's instagram, picture by me
People focus on gear, technique, and the way in which that gear could be used to achieve outcomes.
Rarely do I see a conversation about "This image is a fleeting moment, captured." I see people's landscapes, I see portraiture or promo work, but rarely do I see what I would class as photographic art.
To me, these sorts of conceptual images are thought provoking, narrative images that have been created with intention, not something created by impulse. There's lots of photographers here on Hive that work in this way - the excellent work of many names that tells a story, is filled with detail, and go beyond the mere competency of the medium.
Yes, it's okay to achieve a correct exposure, or a flawless retouch - but where's the soul? Where's the image that tells me a story, allows me to interpret light, colour, pose, composition, and other symbolic references through the combination of your intent to tell a story or make a statement?
To me, fine art photography, portraits, candid images, and photojournalism (aka the documentary style) of photography are a rich tapestry of narrative - allowing me to deeply engage with the thing the photographer was attempting to communicate.
Some images are more successful than others.
More people need to read the likes of Roland Barthes, Walter Benjamin, and Susan Sontag. It isn't about watching a dozen YouTube videos about how to "do" photography, then going off and snapping off a few dozen shots in the hopes you'll get something that will get some thumbs up.
Be deliberate with your work. Figure out what you're trying to say, otherwise your photographic images will say nothing at all. Plan your composition. Know what it will look like at a given focal length. Master the basics, sure - but as you proceed along this journey, know that the image has a powerful ability to communicate across the borders of language, time, and space.
When the work is complete, don't forget you can present the work in different ways. Re-contextualise it. Present it as a triptych or diptych. Hang it upside down, and see what it looks like. Experiment with the presentation as much as you fiddle with the dials and knobs on the surface of the camera.
Link to Rose's Instagram, picture by me
Use this to your advantage. Look at work that inspires you, that you aspire to, and figure out how to reproduce it on a technical level, but more importantly, allow this to inform and influence your own creative style.
You will create work that is your own - no matter what you do. That work could be one of several things - a well exposed, boring shot of something, or an image that tells a story that captivates a global audience.
All images in this post are photographs that I've taken.
I love the way the shadows are falling across her face in the first one. This type of lighting can go horribly wrong or look amazing, can't it. Usually it's horribly wrong for me.
Time to learn, talent and willing models. Beautiful photos! Not.sure I can get my chickens to compose... but hmm... maybe I have an idea brewing.. thanks!!!!
Thanks! :) Here's a selfie of me, and "Spesh" - chickens can pose, they just often need to be on someone's shoulder (note the reflection in my sunnies of the horrified onlooker)
...You're on the right. Right? Lol.
Sure
Good one, ya Turkey lol
No, thats a chicken
Oh that's hilarious. @nateonsteemit has a similiar one. Maybe we can launch a community - Guys with Chickens on Their Shoulders #chickendudes. I'm sure it'll be a thing.
Chickens can be incredibly talented models! 😉
Ha yes... watch this space!
I feel this way about some of the art I see (both here and on dA). It's technically brilliant, with the skill level of some of the artists I watch they could totally work in industry if they don't already, I'm just too dumb to get any vibes off it.
And now I'm hearking back to watching others or attempting myself to give concrit and the artists in question having a tantrum about how it's their style and nobody understands them or their art, haven't had that particular experience here yet and will hopefully continue to avoid doing so XD
Slightly long winded way of saying your words of wisdom could apply to all art not just photography ;D
Thank you :) Looking at my work, there's lots of imperfections in technique and style - creased dresses in portraits - blemishes left in, not a "beauty / glamour" retouch. That stuff doesn't appeal to me on many levels - putting in "Real" bits of stuff (creases, wrinkles, whatevers) makes it more of a relatable image and adds to the vernacular of the narrative.
(Those creases in the dress are the result of something, right?)
Embrace entropy as much as you embrace everything else in the pursuit of forming communication and correspondence with your words and thoughts!
(I could rant on for days... DAYS like this!)