I was reading a blog post by Chase Jarvis yesterday about his frustration with photographers who seem to put an inordinate amount of time into creating catchy business cards and marketing materials instead of honing their craft. I come down somewhere in the middle about that point. While thinking about what to write as a comment to the post, an “Aha!” moment hit me. I’m writing it down before my thoughts are lost.

What am I doing with my photography, and where do I want to go with, or take, my photography moving forward?

I am growing a bit weary of random shooting. Well, let me rephrase. I love to shoot “stuff,” and almost always have a camera with me to capture what my eyes are drawn to. What I’m driving at is that I long to be more focused with my work. Unbeknownst to Chase Jarvis, I’ve adopted him as a mentor, because he is doing the type of work that I hope to on a consistent basis, and his blog is a really useful tool. Editorial prints. I am constantly looking at work in various media to see how things are shot. I’m looking at the angles, the lighting, the depth, color temperature…everything. I’m often comforted when I look at editorial images in magazines and think, “Hey, my shots of ____ look just like (or are better than) that.” The reality sets in that I have no clue on how to get my images into those publications.

Take a step back from that, though, is the not-so-sobering reality that I have a ways to go in terms of just having sound photographic fundamentals. Drawing the analogy to the point Chase’s post, I probably have created shots solely on raw available ingredients than I have with a sound understanding and mastery of my tools-of-the-trade. I, like so many others, am clamoring for some new gear—particularly a full-frame camera. In the meantime, I don’t have proper lighting equipment, nor much substantive depth on how to use that equipment when available. I love shooting with natural light. I have, however started to wonder if my “I prefer to use natural light” approach is really an unrecognized admission that I’m scared to death about external lighting.

It ruffles my feathers when people say it, because photography is not a hobby. It is truly something I feel genuinely drawn to do. I feel that with that acknowledgement, though, comes a tremendous responsibility to commit to learning the craft. Chase’s post really spoke to me because I feel like I made splash by saying that I am a photographer without really doing the gritty legwork. To the end, I’ve decided to take a few steps back with my work and approach to establishing myself as a professional photographer. I am revamping my website to pare down what I’m pushing out for the world to see. Not because I’m ashamed of my work. I am, in fact, quite proud of my photography. Instead, I want to put a little less time into pushing out images, and take more time absorbing information and advice on how to become the photographer I aspire to be. There are a couple of books by David duChemin that address a photographers “vision” that I really want to sink my teeth into. Based on the excerpts that I’ve read, I believe his words may shed some light on ill-illuminated path on which I seem to be standing idle.

I don’t really know what direction this AHA moment will take me. Maybe it’s enrolling in a professional photography program. Perhaps it’s trailing and assisting those in the editorial field to build my base of knowledge. What ever it is, I am open, and willing, to putting in the effort to continually develop and mature as a photographer. I will leave “successful” out of that last line because the term is too subjective. My success may never be determined by garnering commercial clients to do their print ad work. Instead, I believe success—for me—will be defined by having all the requisite skills to be capable if and when the client calls.

It’s a process. I am willing to expose myself here for the purpose of laying my angst down and moving forward. I would really appreciate hearing from you. I would particularly like to hear from those who are also gnashing their teeth about the same issues and questions. I would also benefit from insight and advice from those who have climbed that hill and see the broad horizon clearly.

career, vision

At times, I find that pursuing the road to making photography my “day job” is akin to being a contestant on the CBS reality show Amazing Race. Contestants expend considerable energy–physical, emotional, intellectual–peforming challenges and piecing clues together so they may reach a given destination; only to discover that the reward for all that effort is an envelope revealing the next challenge. I am convinced that I am on the right path, because not once have I been discouraged by the challenges presented. I have a tendency to become bored, particularly once I’ve solved the challenge. Pursuing a career as a photographer, especially in the digital age, is anything but boring because the challenges are new and numerous.

One of the legs on this journey has proven to be quite befuddling. That issue is a question of focus. I don’t mean focus, as in the ability to concentrate. My dilemma is determining or defining the focus of my photography. 

I look at many photographers with some measure of envy because they are so clearly focused. Whether their focus is weddings, portraiture, nature, food, etc., I play this “Man, they’ve got it all figured out” tape in my head. If only I could find one theme, subject matter, or genre to concentrate my photographic energy on, perhaps my path forward would be more clear. 

This tug over whether to have a narrow or wide focus is what has, effectively, ground my website to a standstill. I am pretty settled on the layout, color scheme, and division of pages on the site. Where I can’t seem to get the site in gear is the galleries. What I’ve come to realize is that my subject matter is all over the place. As I move from one image folder to the next, looking to build galleries, I become increasingly frustrated. Just what is my focus? How do I winnow all these images down into cogent, discernable galleries? How do I capture the attention, and make sense of my images to those visiting my site for the first time? I do suspect that my photographic style would become apparent, irrespective of the subject matter, but is that enough to bind the images into a cohesive, pallatable galleries? 

Beyond, and more important than, my concern about the content of my web galleries is the thought of attracting clients. I envision most people having an idea of the type of subject that want in image, and/or will tend to gravitate toward photographers, or other artists, that clearly present work that fits what’s in their mind’s eye. It’s probably an age-old question. Do you adapt your art to fit the appetite of the buyer, or does the buyer adapt to the artist’s work? I would like to think it’s the latter. (Or at least that’s my hope.)

As with many things, I’m inspired by Carla. In this instance, I think about Carla frequently being asked about her catering company. People often ask her, “What’s your culinary specialty?” Her answer, some what tongue-in-cheek, is “Good food.” Her point is that she doesn’t have a singular focus, per se. She adapts and tailors each menu to the clients needs. Carla’s focus and talent is her breadth.

Clearly there’s a place and a role for specialists. Just as there are executive chefs, bakers, pastry chefs, sauciers, garde mangers, etc….there are photographic specialists.  I have to believe there is also a place, or space, for a photographer who covers many fronts. The key for a generalist, if you will, is to be incredibly competent in many different areas, so as to deliver the desire product to a diverse clientele. Of course, this is the musing of a photographer at the nascent stage of his career. The beauty of journaling these thoughts will be that I can revisit them years from now to see where I’ve been and what path traveled.  It’s my hope that a focus will be revealed, or, in the alternative, I display the aptitude and gain acceptance for doing many things well.

career, vision

I often listen to Carla (my wife) talk about Eckhart Tolle and The Power of Now. Being “in the now” is a maxim of living in the present—not being dogged by your past and not putting too much focus on what may happen in the future. While I respect her views and beliefs, the notion often gets a matter-of-fact shrug from me. It makes sense, but I, probably like so many people, have this nagging habit of looking forward or behind. However, the point of being in the present is starting to make much more sense. Just today, I clicked on the Daily Thought in my email inbox.

Most people rush after pleasure so fast that they rush right past it.
 

―Soren Kierkegaard

Wow. That’s it! That quote nailed it for me, and touches on precisely what I’m struggling with today. Allow me to build the story. Those who know me will appreciate, or at least be patient with, my tendency to be a bit long-winded. (It’s all about providing context.)

For some time, Carla had mentioned doing a photo shoot of some her food for a book project. She really wanted me to take the photos. It struck me that she was not interested in my taking the pictures solely because I’m her husband, but because she actually thinks my work is good.  Anyway, Carla invited a designer she’s working with and a friend, who is a photographer, to come over for the photo shoot. I was not familiar with the work of the photographer,  his background or experience. However, when he arrived, he lugged in a mountain of equipment and several camera bags. To be honest, it was intimidating. I have no practical experience with external lighting, let alone have an arsenal of equipment at my disposal with which to learn. The photographer was very gracious and frequently deferred to me for thoughts on composition and lighting. Nevertheless, I found myself shrinking a bit into the throws of self-doubt. What could I possibly offer someone who has all this equipment? Clearly, the amount of equipment is reflective of the overall skill, experience, and aptitude of a photographer. Right?

That’s exactly what had me a little unsettled yesterday, and it stayed in my head through night. Why was I intimated or overwhelmed with the photographer and his equipment? I have to believe it’s because he brought in all the trappings of what I feel that I need to be a “legitimate” photographer. In a word, I felt inadequate. I looked at the gear and many different cameras, though he only used one body and one lens. I only have two digital bodies and a hodgepodge of lenses. He had a big tripod with a nice head on it. I have a pretty basic tripod, not a nice Gitzo or Manfrotto.  Let’s not even get started on the lighting equipment. Overall, I had a sinking feeling of how far I have to go to be legit.

As I thought more about it, I first had to shake myself from the idea that I’m not a good photographer. I think I am. Secondly, and more importantly, I had to take a step back and think about not only where I want to go, but where I am—presently. The quote above really brought it home. I’ve been so focused, as I discussed in my last post, on the romantic notion of what I’d like to do, that I’m not focusing on…and enjoying…where I am today. I truly am at the beginning of my journey. I don’t think anyone would be expected to have a room full of gear just starting out. Nor would I, even after years of shooting, necessarily need all that equipment. It will really depend on what I want to do with my photography. I have to let that come to me, and not get saddled with what I don’t have.  I suspect this is not an isolated feeling, and many people pursuing a dream get in their own way by obsessing about where they should be and not appreciating the lessons gained along the way. This is where “being in my head” is a good thing, because I do question whether what I’m feeling makes sense. Fortunately, Carla is a good point of reference and sounding board. She created a business from scratch, and talks frequently about the balance between having a business plan and being open to where things may lead her.  She continues to navigate opportunities for growth while staying true to her personal and business values and sensibilities.

As for the shoot…at the end of the day, I think we both took some excellent shots. At times I felt a little nudged out by the other photographer and others in the room (quite unintentionally I’m sure), but it did not deter me from shooting images of Carla’s food. After reviewing all of the images, I think it became apparent I have a very particular photographic style. Carla commented later that my images are probably more artistic, in that I tend to focus on the beauty of an object. Unfortunately, though, that means I occasionally overlook the function of the item – in this case, her food. I’m learning how to capture her food in a way that is suited for publication, not just for wall hangings.  I think this was a good opportunity for me to think about the importance of being open. What I have in mind for my photography career (artistic images for exhibit and sale) may take a turn into something just as fulfilling (media, portraits, etc).

career, vision