9 days in Cambodia.

I just came back from a 9-day mission trip to Cambodia June 27. It was amazing! We went to a village that was built on a cleared minefield to do a Vacation Bible School for the kids, and finish the foundation of a medical clinic. The kids were so happy and full of energy! Too full of energy at times… It was definitely a humbling experience; they don’t have hardly anything at all, but they are full of joy, and aren’t complaining about their circumstances, yet we have so much, and we want more. It was a life changing experience, and I plan to go back at some point.

the state of the industry

Wow. Photography is one of the toughest industries to be starting out in right now. There are millions of photographers out there all clamoring for a few bucks. And digital hasn’t made it easier. Now everyone and their mom, second cousin once removed, and brother in law’s uncle has a camera, and most of them think they can take just as good pictures as a pro, which means no one* buys images anymore. ‘Why buy something I can do just as good myself?’ they say. All the pros already out there have a somewhat better position, because at least they have some recognition. But how many people hear one person shouting amongst the millions? And how many of the small percent that does hear is looking to buy? It seems impossible. So hats off to all the pros out there, I admire your determination, and wish you the best of luck. 

But on a less high note, how much longer can photography survive as an art like this? How much longer until people see so many shots, good and bad, that they don’t see photography as art anymore? How long can photography survive as art? And how long, after that, can it survive as a source of income for all the pros, even the most famous? What will it be then? 

moments of brilliance (a slippery slope)

Hmm. How do I start this? I always have trouble starting; I don’t want to sound impersonal or distant, but I also want to sound realistic. Anyway, back to the subject (disregarding the fact that I haven’t gotten to yet).

You feel all great when you have a moment of brilliance, but then you see others’, and you probably don’t feel all that special anymore. And then, compared to your m. of b., everything else you’ve done seems ordinary. And you start expecting better stuff from yourself, but if you have too many, everyone else starts expecting them, too. But hopefully, through the raising of expectations, come across the moments more often, thereby raising the quality of the whole, and so on and so forth, forever…

It can be stressful though, if everyone is expecting more from you than your willing to give, and your m. of b.’s don’t come as often as you’d like them to. (Wow this is taking a depressing turn!) then what do you do? It helps to look at why you’re doing something. If you are just doing it for it’s own sake, or for yourself, then just toss aside everyone else’s opinions! They don’t matter that much after a bit of thought.

on being a photographer

One annoying thing about being a photographer is that if I see something cool, or a really spectacular composition, and I don’t have my camera, I mentally kick myself for not bringing my camera. It happens all the time! And sometimes, I start wanting not to see cool stuff or great compositions, because if I don’t see them, I can’t feel bad about not being able to capture them. It’s actually pretty funny if you think about it.

All this makes me want to take a camera everywhere, even if it might hinder my enjoying the place to the fullest. A good by-product of this is that I get photos that I (obviously) never would have if I didn’t bring my camera, such as this one below:

I took this one at a Boy Scout leadership training event at lunch.

It also helps if your main camera (I use a Panasonic G5, not the best example, but still better than even the smallest DSLR) is portable, because if you just take a tiny p&s, you still get frustrated when you reach it’s limits. I guess it all boils down to how you look at it. If your photos are either you job, you might be better off taking your camera everywhere. But if your just a hobbyist, it could be better to leave the camera at home for a while, and let your eye recharge.

photography as an art form

 

I see photography as art. A somewhat controversial topic to be sure. I can definitely see how some people can think otherwise, as easily half of photographers only take pictures as documentation of family, pets, vacations, etc.
(picture of clover)(an art photo)
However, some photos are definitely art, just as much as a painting or poem.

 

Some points that come up against photos are:
1)That they are infinitely reproducible.

2)That they are easier than paintings to make.

 

My opinions on these points are:
1)The fact that photos are infinitely reproducible does have an effect on its monetary value, like it or not (I would certainly pay more for something if there were only one than if there were twenty-five with more being made every week); but it shouldn’t have an effect on its value as art.

2)Photos require less manual effort, but the limitations of photography require you to work with what is already there, as opposed to creating an entirely new scene filled with whatever you want, as in painting.

 

However, art is subjective, and we all have different subconscious views about what is or isn’t art; so take with a grain of salt, because this is just my opinion.