Vol. 7, No. 24 — June 21, 2020
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What is it that makes us stop to really consider a photograph? Sometimes, it’s the environment. In a museum, gallery or even a book geared toward art photography, we are primed to think about what we’re seeing, which naturally makes us pause to consider.
But what if we’re looking at photographs in a more casual space, line online? Well, the habit then becomes to take a cursory glance. We don’t really pause to study an image unless that image gives us a very good reason to at first glance. This is often because of name recognition—we’re more likely to pause and study the work of someone famous. But often, it’s because there’s something immediately attention grabbing about the image. A particular sharp contrast,
bright color, or highly unusual setting or object drew us in. When we’re sifting through vast numbers of images, it very often takes something truly unusual to grab and hold our attention. The photographs that don’t have something like this? We may just skip right over them without another thought...
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There’s a common sort of cliché that you’ll find among advice columns and blogs about photography. And, really, this cliché isn’t even limited to photography alone. You’ll find it across all mediums, from painting to writing and just about any other creative endeavor that you can possibly imagine. This cliché is the belief that with just “these quick tricks” or “these fast tips,” you can create an amazing piece of art. I’m sure you’ve seen the
headlines before. They usually read along the lines of “10 Easy Ways to Write a Bestseller,” or “Six Quick Tricks to Create the Perfect Photograph.” While these headlines are alluring, they tend to promote the belief that art is simple if only we know a certain few little magical secrets, or if only we possess the exact right (and often expensive) tools in order to create our art...
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There are so many different things that photographers prize highly. From one photographer to the next, the answer might be different, too.
Take prints, for instance. One photographer may treat them as a precious artifact, storing them in perfect conditions, using only the best archival materials, and handling those prints with gloves. To them, that’s the most valuable thing, so they take great pains to keep those prints pristine for decades...
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Robert Doisneau: The Great Artists
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One of Robert Doisneau’s most famous photographs is entitled “Le baiser de l’hotel de ville,” and it’s one that quite possibly perfectly encompasses the kind of work that Doisneau did. The image’s title translates to “The Kiss by the City Hall,” and that’s what it depicts. A couple kissing on a busy street, showing all the vigor and beauty of humanity at its finest.
That’s one of the things that Doisneau is noted for. Though he was a photojournalist who created during the Nazi occupation of France and in the aftermath, his work doesn’t feature the sort of gritty images that you might expect from a photographer documenting such things. In one image after the next, there is a sense of playfulness and levity. Positivity, which perhaps informs us that even the darkest times still have their bright spots...
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Why Do We Take Photographs?
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Why do photographers create photographs? That’s an interesting question, and it’s one that, of course, has no concrete answer. It’s about validation in large part, but there are as many different kinds of validation as there are photographers. We all have slightly different goals, some large and some smaller. But no matter what these goals are, whether your goal is to make a living, to become famous, or to simply share your artwork with friends and
family, all of these goals are just as valid as any other goal you could have in mind. There is, and there can be, no one right reason to create photographs.
So with these thoughts in mind, let’s take a look at some of these motivations. Perhaps you’ve not yet decided on what path you’d like to take as a photographer. If so, this might help you decide! Along the way, I’ll share a few insights so that you have some idea what it’s going to take to achieve some of these goals...
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Join me where I share my thoughts and adventures in photography in this weekly podcast. I hope you enjoy it.
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The ebooks are completely free to you today, although you are welcome to leave a small donation of any amount to help with future projects. Enjoy!
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There is a wealth of photography books out there that are useful for photographers at every stage. Here are some of the books that I recommend!
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Music From the Doctor's Office Throughout my life, I’ve spent hours upon hours in a doctor's office. One of the things I enjoy while waiting is writing music on my laptop and phone. These short unfinished electronic musical themes are just doodles per se to pass the time. Enjoy.
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