Help me find purpose with my photography

<p>Agree about the little girl shot... does she have a long-suffering look on her face? So happy to see so many still into film and old equipment...<br>

Like the bit about reviving old equipment... I wonder whether there are any resources to learn the art and science of working on old stuff?</p>

<p>As M Stephens said, it's really a variation of the question, "what is the purpose of Life?" Maybe a slow read of the Book of Ecclesiastes might be productive as it goes into this question in detail.</p>

<p>I the meanwhile, you might want to give your photography away. By that I mean, print it or create slide shows on DVD's and give them to friends and family - for free. You'll be amazed how good that will make you feel - the thank yous and smiles are very warming. </p>

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<p><em>"I spend 90% of my life on a computer"</em></p>

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<p>Many of us in modern times are doing the same which may be a significant contributor to feeling disillusioned. It might be healthier to reduce that by some amount unless it's part of an unavoidable professional demand. </p>

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<p>I am looking for advice or ideas about how to go forward with my hobby but I have a few conditions:<br /> 1. I only want to photograph subjects I enjoy, so no weddings or stock photography<br /> 2. I am not interested in making money from my hobby<br /> 3. I spend 90% of my life on a computer so any more blogging, flickring or social networking is definitely a no go area<br /> Any thoughts?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Donating time and photography skills shooting for worthy causes and charitable organizations my be fulfilling. </p>

Other posters to this discussion thread have mentioned mind concentration as a

form of relaxation. I would agree, and mention that I believe that photography as a

recreation has helped to lower my blood pressure by 20 points or more.

<p>You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. - Jack London</p>

<p>Words of Wisdom from the past. I tend to read photography books or look at a hundred or so photos using the "Rate Photos" feature of Photo.net to remind me of what I like and what I want to do. <br>

<strong> </strong></p>

 

<p>I dont think there has to be purpose. there does not have to be a result, the lust for resuyt will end in dissapointment. I feel there is just the journey, all journeys have their begining and thier end, you will know when yours has come to an end. I think though with photography, trying something new, begining a new journey with the art, can invigor your enthusiasm again. I once heard "if you did what you did, you get what you got". So if you are tired of what you got, dont do what you did, begin a new photographic journey.</p>

<p>I do appreciate the many sentiments expressed about the lack of the need for purpose and results. Sometimes the activity is enough as is the enjoyment without much deeper thought.</p>

<p>But I'm sensing this headed a little too much in the "purpose-and-results-don't-matter" direction and the other direction is just as fulfilling, valid, and necessary for many. Painters often slave over their canvases, precisely to get the <em>results</em> right. Adams worked tirelessly in the darkroom because the precision of his results, the <strong>PRINT</strong>, mattered a whole lot. Photography and art can be as much material as anything else. Doing something just for the heck of it, to pass time, whatever, is certainly fine. But doing something with a considered purpose is also a very human and fulfilling and significant way to do things. </p>

<p>I don't agree with any idea that comes close to saying that everything we do is just passing time. Sorry, but watching TV is not the same as feeding someone or creating something. I can live with that sort of judgment.</p>

<p>Richard, I think "lust for result" actually describes the way many great artists throughout history have worked. There is a sense in which, a positive sense by the way, art is an addiction, and a need more than a choice. Many photographers and artists do it because they HAVE to or at least they feel they do. And, even if not that drastic, once others have chosen photography, they can't help but lusting not only after the resulting vision they have for their work but after a certain material result they want to hang and look at. </p>

<p>Review the movie Lust for Life, about Van Gogh, if you're skeptical.</p>

<p><em>"Someday my paintings will be hanging in the Louvre."</em><br />--Vincent Van Gogh </p>

<p>Alan Klein: "I the meanwhile, you might want to give your photography away."<br>

===<br>

Bravo! A wonderful idea loaded with promise. I only began doing that a few weeks ago, and I can't tell you how fantastic it is. I went to visit a photographer friend, and I brought him a matted photo of some recent work as a gift of appreciation. He was overwhelmed by this utterly simple gesture. I have plans to do this regularly from now on. </p>

<p>Thanks for bringing that up Alan.</p>

<p>Photograhy is a little bit like owning a nice home. If nobody comes to visit then it's not so nice anymore. Part of photography is showing off your stuff. Sure you can spend nights trying to get the perfect print and it can be very enjoyable, but the bottom line if nobody sees this "perfect print" then what's the point. Part of photography is not having any purpose at all. Just go out and take pictures and have fun. Millions of tourist with their point-and-shoot cameras do it every day.</p>

<p>They are not trying to get published, make money, win awards, or get a pat on the back from a photo director, they are just trying to capture their memories as best they can, maybe put them in an album. Allot of us who don't do this for a living sometimes feel the way you are feeling right now. At least I know I do ! Even some hard-core professional photographers get in the dumps sometimes that's normal. They complain about their creativity being compromised. Some are just starving artists. </p>

<p>Allot of us amateurs and hobbyist stock-up on equipment hoping we can make it in to the professional ranks someday. Unfortunately that doesn't allways happen, so unless you have deep pockets be selective on what you purchase. I mean purchasing a Canon 1Dx every 3 years is a bit of an overkill if you are an Amateur.</p>

<p>I usually purchase semi-pro gear because a guy got to have his tools. Better gear usually means better pictures at least in the long run. Some of us stock-up waiting for retirement when we will finallly be able to use all that stuff. If you can't wait that long there is always eBay. I did that once sold all my stuff and stayed away from photography for years, but then the photography-bug hit me again.</p>

<p>The way I see it there are other hobbies and/or activities such as golf that might be more enjoyable to some, but can get just as expensive and meaningless. The only difference is that your chances are almost nill that you will ever make money from them, or leave your mark. </p>

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<p>Painters often slave over their canvases, precisely to get the <em>results</em> right. Adams worked tirelessly in the darkroom because the precision of his results, the <strong>PRINT</strong>, mattered a whole lot.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I agree, Fred, but what is being discussed is what happens when the spirit is low and purpose becomes unclear. I don't know if Adams ever had moments of doubt or lack of purpose, but I imagine he may have at some point. What I do know when he was feeling low, he spoke of being in the moment where seeing, connection and personal reflection came together in philosophical terms of things that come from within. This was demonstrated in his 1937 letter to his friend Cedric Wright:<br>

<strong>"Art is both love and friendship and understanding: the desire to give. It is not charity, which is the giving of things. It is more than kindness, which is the giving of self. It is both the taking and giving of beauty, the turning out to the light of the inner folds of the awareness of the spirit." <br /> - Ansel Adams</strong><br>

<strong>The full text is here:</strong><br>

<strong><a href="http://jimdoty.com/learn/adams_art/adams_art.html">http://jimdoty.com/learn/adams_art/adams_art.html</a></strong></p>

 

<p>"If nobody comes to visit then it's not so nice anymore. Part of photography is showing off your stuff...."</p>

<p>That is a problem with all these photo forums including this one. Just joined yesterday and they pulled my posts. Waste of time here. Archaic forum hard to use and pulls your posts.<br>

What forums do you guys rec for me?<br>

Thanks</p>

<p>"<em>Just joined yesterday and they pulled my posts</em>."<br>

Did you read the Guidelines and Policies before you posted ?</p>

<p>They pulled your posts because you violated copyrights by posting photos of others for which you had no permission. That's otherwise known as theft. </p>

<p>I had permission.<br>

Even if I didn't theft is by deception. I always give credit where due. I only use low res images. Can hardly make a poor quailty 5 x 7 from them.<br>

Was referred here by a mod on another fourm. Didn't read, took his word for it after we discussed.<br>

Wont waste time here any longer.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Louis, yes, I understand what this thread is about. I'm suggesting that focusing on results can actually help motivation and can help give someone a sense of purpose and movement. It's just a suggestion, not a rule. It might not work for some people. But I think it deserves more consideration than many people have been giving it, so I decided to advocate for it. I am currently getting stuff ready to have a show later this fall, choosing photos, reworking some, printing them, matting and framing them, deciding on sizes and placement, dealing with lighting and display considerations, color corrections, etc., all very results-oriented and material endeavors, and I'm liking having such a goal (purpose) and working towards a specific event and date. I find it incredibly motivating and fulfilling.</p>

<p>The OP began the discussion by saying he lacked purpose and was looking for ways to find purpose. Many if not most of the answers suggested that he didn't need purpose. Perfectly valid. I was empathizing with his stated needs and thought that supporting the benefits of purpose might be helpful to him. That's all.</p>

<p>Thanks for the Ansel Adams quote. A little airy fairy for me, to be honest. Regardless of what he says, I find his work more significant in its concreteness and technical achievements than that quote would ever suggest.</p>

<p>____________________________</p>

<p>Richard John had mentioned the dangers or at least the lack of need for "lust for results" and then must have edited his post and removed that line, though his post still suggests that general approach (which is fine for some people and for me at some times). My post was motivated by what he had originally said and so I thought it important to offer as well an alternative where the significance of results was also recognized.</p>

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<p>I really enjoy photography but this enjoyment is fading because I cannot see an end purpose for it all.</p>

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<p>Have you considered exhibiting your work? Showing my work has been a great learning curve and experience for me, in many ways. In another thread, I tried to explain:</p>

<blockquote>

<p><br /> - It forces me to show *only* my best work. A good lesson in critical editing.<br /> <br /> - For every new exhibit, I'm motivated to produce new work, forcing me to finally work on those images in the back burner.<br /> <br /> - Each exhibit teaches me something new: the material cost, the effort, the good/bad of a gallery, the selection and sequencing of my images, etc.<br /> <br /> - Over time, I learn to screen galleries for exhibits. I started with local libraries, senior centers, cafes, and worked my way up to real galleries.<br /> <br /> - I assemble a set of mats/frames which I can re-use repeatedly, and know my limits of the grunt work involved.<br /> <br /> - The inventory of my better work keep increasing.<br /> <br /> - I had a realistic expectation from the get go: to show and not necessarily to sell. If sales should come along, it's icing on the cake.</p>

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<p>I will add:</p>

<p>- I learned to make my own exhibit quality prints, a challenging and satisfying endeavor very different from making and displaying jpegs. Problems hidden in those "fantastic" jpegs would surface in large prints. I now shoot FOR PRINTS.</p>

<p>- Sales did come my way, enough to pay for the material cost and often a new piece of gear.</p>

<p>- I met many photographers, curators, gallery owners, etc. Made a few friends and found leads to new exhibition opportunities. Once in a blue moon, I even received sincere and insightful feedback.</p>

<p>- I shoot different genres, and my exhibits are genre specific. One knowledgeable viewer commented favorably about my genre A exhibit. Months later she was at another exhibit of mine showing genre B. Her comment, "Stick with genre B and forget about genre A, which had been done to death by far better photographers." Point well taken, now I shoot mostly genre B.</p>

<p>A photographer is a voyeur and an exhibitionist.</p>

<p><<<<em>A photographer is a voyeur and an exhibitionist.</em>>>></p>

<p>+1</p>

<p>A provocative statement filled with a lot of truth and possibilities.</p>

 

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<p><<<<em>A photographer is a voyeur and an exhibitionist.</em>>>><br>

+1<br>

A provocative statement filled with a lot of truth and possibilities.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Never seen that statement made anywhere else, and will shamelessly take credit for it. Would appreciate correction if I'm mistaken.</p>

 

<p>Wow, I had no idea this question would receive so many detailed responses. How can I thank you all? It would take me a week to reply to all your comments. Lots of unique thoughts and advice on here.</p>

<p>The comment that most stood out for me is that my original query was basically a "What is the meaning of life?" question. I suppose it is. For all we know, life itself may just be pointless, let alone my hobby of photography. I asked my wife the same question and she simply responded by asking me why I played golf. I'll never be a Tiger Woods and I have no intention of trying to be. I simply play golf occasionally because I enjoy it. I suppose photography is exactly the same. I feel relaxed when I'm out shooting.</p>

<p>But... treating photography as simply a way of passing the time and aiding relaxation isn't enough for me anymore. I feel as if I need to find a reason to continue. After thinking about it last night I think I feel the need for my work to be appreciated by people other than immediate family and friends. As Robert K says, I may need to become an exhibitionist.</p>

<p>In line with Alan Klein's suggestion of giving my photography away, I had an idea where I could perhaps offer large, high quality prints of my better shots to businesses at cost price. I would not make a profit but it would be a way for my work to be seen by members of the public in waiting rooms, cafes and offices etc. People showing interest in my work would encourage me to continue.</p>

<p>Oh, by the way, my stuff can be seen here if any of you are interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackthehat/</p>

<p>"<em>Oh, by the way, my stuff can be seen here if any of you are interested</em>:"<br>

You got some pretty good stuff there, are all the comments from your friends and family ?</p>

Your second post, in there lies the rub, you don't want purpose or a deeper emotional connection to your world through

photography, that is not enough. You instead want what millions of other people on Flickr want: to be celebrated as a

photographer, to know somehow that instead of being lost in the billions of other photos on the Internet, you stand out.

 

In your first post you say in line 2 that you don't want to make money off of your hobby, but in the first line you say you

don't want to shoot weddings or stock....funny, most people I hear that do it for a hobby and love the time they spend

doing it never mention such things.

 

So I think you need to be totally honest with your self....is something is telling you that you are good enough to make even a

part time living off of it and it bothers you that you are not, like you have failed somehow?

 

Somehow you have lost the joy in shooting for your self because something is telling you that unless you are able to

reach out beyond the realm of obligatory praise one can often get from family, friends and god knows Flickr, then what is

it for.....?

 

That's a great question, because when I play guitar, I just love to do it and could care less what other people think and

would never even entertain trying to monetize it as some form of validation.

 

Photography sure has changed since the internet.....more and more people think they *have* to be good to deserve the

often tens of thousands of dollars they spent on gear and that someone should practically trip over their own feet in

wanting to use a photo for something....anything......to make them feel like they are a "Photographer".

 

Not everyone who tries out for American Idol wins Jamie, so who do you do photography for....?.....your self or the fans

you want more of?

 

It's a hobby Jamie, just like golf, you will feel better about what you are doing with it if you look deep inside, be honest with your self and let it be a portal to see the world in yours eyes and nothing more.......unless secretly you are dreaming of it being more...

And by the way, I am not saying one way or the other if your work is good enough to hang on the wall of a business to

get you more praise, I did not look. What I am saying is that if you are truly only doing it as a hobby, then none of the

above should ever matter....

<p><<People showing interest in my work would encourage me to continue.>></p>

<p>To that end, here are two ideas. First, add a social element to your photography, such as joining a photography club, or art association. This will immediately bring you in contact with people who will appreciate your work. It also affords many opportunities to discuss your work with other interested photographers. You can adjust it to get as much or as little encouragement as you find useful. All these associations also participate in hanging art in public spaces. There is no cost. </p>

<p>Second, exhibit your work in public exhibitions. Every town, even small ones, have photographic exhibitions that are mounted by museums and art associations. They are often well attended, and include recognition ceremonies if it is competitive and so on. There's generally a small fee for entry. Or do it on your own. A great many businesses like banks will hang local artists in their buildings for a month or so at a time. You can usually offer these works for sale too if you like. Bagel shops, banks, hair salons and the like. Just make a small portfolio and go ask. </p>

<p>My caveat to all the above is that I don't think it is a real substitute for finding your own love of making photographs. I think it will provide a short term lift of sorts, but in the end without a love of the process itself, all will come to the same end. I believe all those kinds of purposes are secondary to the internal joy of photography that drives people to do it. </p>

<p>On a related note. There is a great social pressure to "monetize." It's almost an insidious gas that has infiltrated the atmosphere. A pressure to make every endeavor an economic one. If you don't take conscious note of this, you can be convinced it is a real goal of every activity. I've known a lot of people who suffered from this and it ruined their enjoyment of various avocations. </p>

<p>The mechanics of taking photos allows me to enjoy and appreciate small things that most people would be of complete void.<br /><br />Accompanied with a semi-complete small kit, I am able to plunk down almost anywhere and capture a scene or moment that is forever irreplaceable. I am also quite happy to have the gift of enjoying several hobbies or pastimes, as I cycle through many in the course of time.<br /><br />I see family members or friends who are unable to feel the same about "my wasting of time," as their hours are spent in front of a television or tapping away on their hand held computer phone. I kind of feel sorry for them.<br>

They are missing the best part of the show.</p>