Do you shoot what you are?

[jiro]

I will share my little spin on the subject if you may, Seri. For me, knowing at what stage of development you are in is important to understand why you are interested in photographing something. There is what we call conscious and subconscious style of photographing things.

Beginning stage:

- You just got your camera, you still don't know how to use its feature nor understand the principle behind using the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. More so, you literally have no idea what it means to compose a shot properly. So, looking around, you point the camera to something "that caught your attention" and you shoot it. Did it reflect who you are inside whether as an introvert or as an extrovert type of individual? I don't think so. So you shoot and you shoot. later on, you begin to get a grasp of how a large aperture opening creates creative images while some slight blur using slow shutter speeds create drama to a scene. You also now begin to be a little bit bold on your choice of subjects. Why? because now you have the knowledge of using the camera to augment the idea you have in your mind.

Intermediate stage:

This is where you explore the creative side of you. You now try to incorporate testing different lenses (if you have some). You also try to put emphasis on the technical side of making an image. You usually ask yourself questions like "Would this look good if I use shallow depth of field?" or "Should I go low on my perspective or should I shoot at eye level on this one?" At this stage, you are still on the mastery of your technical skills but not yet much on exploring your inner voice. The inner voice comes out later (if you would allow me to explain why). So, at this stage, you are not confined to just one genre. You can be fascinated with nature, landscape, human emotion, macros, abstract, and others. You are experimenting and applying what you have learned on the beginners stage.

Higher intermediate stage:

At this stage, you are really proficient in using your camera. It becomes "natural" for you once you see a scene in front of you as to what shutter speed and aperture do you want to use to create a good image. You are not hesitant anymore in using your camera, rather, you are now like a hunter - just waiting for the right moment to capture the scene with your camera as your weapon already set in the right setting to finish the kill (or press the shutter button). Since you have no deficiency in understanding how your camera works, you tend to see a pattern emerging from your images, whether consciously or subconsciously a pattern does emerge. This is where your question comes into play - am I an introvert or an extrovert?

The Creative Stage.

I did not call this the advanced stage because it has no meaning. Advanced on what? On using the camera? If you are dead serious with photography this is just one of your ultimate goals - to know how to use your choice of equipment. The camera is the tool and you have to fully master it to make good images. On the other hand, it is you that needs to bring out your creative side to share who you are on the outside world.

Some professional photographers are bounded by elements that are either within their control or not. Case in point - some take photography because it is a good source of income. They create stunning portrait shots and do commercial photography because they ENJOY it and it pays good. But if you would have the chance to talk to one of them and ask: "is this the type of photography that you really want to do?" You might be surprised that some of them would say "maybe, not". On the side, some of them would go sabbatical or take a break from their typical routine and travel. Then comes the revelation, he was actually more fascinated and has a deeper connection doing photojournalistic work than shooting models and product shots. Would he pursue it? Only he can answer that for us. What I am driving at is that only when you are at the creative stage in your development as a photographer that you would see your "self" being shared to the viewers. You tend to show more negative emotion (like feeling of loneliness) on your images or most of your images are about happiness and bright objects. We always want to show our comfort side even in our choice of photography.

The only pitfall with compartmentalizing who we are in our photography is to limit our understanding of that person. Even our personality changes from time to time (what we call cycles in life). Sometimes you show the happy side of you even if you are an introvert and so at that moment your images show happiness. Now, does that go against your personality? I don't think so. What i do know, from experience is that your DOMINANT trait would usually reveal itself more than your SUB-DOMINANT trait. I tell you, even if you have known what is your dominant and sub-dominant personality if you are still on the beginning and intermediate stage of development in photography it would be hard to pinpoint your exact style yet.

I hope this makes sense to you. I know it does for me because this is how I saw myself on my photographic journey. Even in the field of music, I always experiment on different genres. In the end, I revert back to certain types of music that stirs my soul like love songs, classical, soul, but not hip hop as I am an introvert, intuitive, thinking, and perceiving individual or what they call as INTP type of personality. "Arts speaks loudly to me" and I from personal evaluation agrees to the statement with clarity. I am hoping that I could further develop myself to arrive at the creative stage so I can clearly express myself on the images that I make. As for now, I am still trying to master my camera and the technical side of photography to achieve that.

Thank you for listening.

[Seriche]

Hello Bill, Hello Katy,

For those like me, who rise unreasonably early, this time of day is late at night, and my brain turns to mush I don't want to rush or slur my replies so I'll bid you both goodnight and will be back in the early hours (GMT) to give you answer when my mind's at it's freshest.

Katy, lovely to meet you at last. I've admired your images from afar, as I have with others here I've yet to meet I want to read the original article and rest of the thread before getting back to you. Thanks for passing it on - it looks like a very interesting discussion and I want to take my time enjoying it. Funny that it should be about style because I was writing to Donny about that just a day or so ago on another thread. This forum has generated all kinds of synchronicities which are entertaining, to say the least

Right, off to greet my daughter back from work and time to snuggle up in front of a good film before bedtime.

Night night,

Sweet dreams,

Seri

[MiniChris]

I, too have watched this thread evolve and on more than one occasion been tempted to add a little philosophical discourse, but there wasn't a moment that seemed right..until now and only because when I walked into my house from various poking and proddings by various doctors, I saw this exact same light and while I cannot capture it this time because of my camera's status, I was able to while up in Maine..

The funny part of this photo is that it was never meant to be seen by anyone else...I saw a type of light that simply made me smile and thinking back on that moment, I realize that much of what I shoot is an attempt to capture a certain moment (type is not the right word as my light is almost always a morning or evening light - and, there is a defined subtlety to it that only once in a blue moon, I capture exactly as I envisioned it..I think); it is a time of day and it is ever so fleeting.

So, I guess I am slightly Arith-mastic, Noellistic, Haaslike, DMack-e-velly-vely goodian, Jiroenvyious and Mashallesque and a lot a Yan Zhang wannabe...and a little bit of everyone else. Somewhere in all that mess of otherness, there lies an exceptionally complicated, though quite simple old man still trying to capture that one perfect moment of light. I think we're all a bit crazy...and that's good; I am not alone.

[Seriche]

Hello Jiro

Your message came in as I was writing the last, and I will definitely want to read yours in detail, so goodnight for now, and thank you very much for contributing

Seri

[Seriche]

.....and goodnight to you, Chris, too ........must........turn.........computer........o ff.......now

Seri

[Katy Noelle]

Wonderful stuff, Jiro! Why did I even bother ordering "Vision & Voice: Refining Your Vision in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom (Voices That Matter)"? It's all right here.

In regards to what you were explaining, I was just thinking about Charlie Colmer. I know of him because of his beautiful commercial work in magazines, etc. - girly (interiors and still life) stuff but this is really what he likes to shoot. Go and look at the link and there is a short blurb on what we're discussing here. Now, I think that his commercial work had a style - and it must have reflected him somewhat but.... (if you read the blurb, you'll know what I'm saying.)

Then, as I was doing dishes, I was thinking about actors and opera singers. I was thinking about Dustin Hoffman who plays some incredible "out there" roles but is, in person, a bit bland and retiring. There was something in the parts that he's chosen to play that, I am sure, reflects him but he was acting out someone else. It's the same with an operatic role. Even though a singer may be playing someone else and may be good at crawling into someone else's skin, every actor/singer has a role that they're "known" for - it's something that resonates in them so that they're able to portray that through the eyes of "someone else".

I don't know what it all means and I don't know if I'm saying anything. I was just thinking about it all.

Oh, btw, I've just discovered a "new" photographer whose work I've enjoyed from different venues and just put a name to all of those disparate photos and tied them all together. In other words, she was a "favorite" photographer and I didn't even realize it. I've noticed, though, that, although she CAN do portraiture, I don't like it very well and that isn't her forte - there isn't very much in her portfolio. That must say something about who she is - even though it's a lot of commercial work. (GORGEOUS food photography!!!) Hmmm, does that mean she likes to eat?

and, ...interesting thoughts, minichris!=]

[ilovelucydog]

If they're tears for yourself it will help to shed them. It's a step in the right direction. Some people only ever cry tears for others but find it impossible to cry for themselves.

For a long time the tears were others that loved more than my very life. And every time I think about it the tears come. It's hard to even type about it. Watching someone you love go through something that is so terribly wrong and to be completely powerless to help is... hard. Hard doesn't even beging to express. it. Nobody said life is fair and there are some things in life that can't foresee or possibly prepare yourself for. Then there are the tears that come from wondering if the decisions we made during that time were the right ones, the best ones... tears of guilt wondering if they were the wrong decisions. Tears of guilt knowing that others have traveled a path far worse than mine... I would never wish this path on anyone.

Of late, most of the tears are for myself. Tears of mourning lost dreams of mine and those that I love.

Tears of letting my walls down and letting someone in... sharing everything with them... and they walk away even though they said they never would...

I think we all need different ways to release pent-up emotions. I need to exhaust myself physically, but there are so many ways. Most people have problems with expressing anger, but that was never mine - I think that anger released is a very healthy thing, but then I have a lot of Celt in me Do you find it hard to express anger?

I try to physically exhaust myself. I walk and walk and walk, exercise, work around the house... and yet... if I sleep 4 broken up hours that's a good night's sleep. Anger? Hmmm... I think when I really get angry, I let it out... but, usually, I get hurt not so much angry...

My safe zone is my home, and apart from my daughter and very close friends, no one else is allowed inside that space. I like my own company, but don't like to travel inside myself, so my heart would be far too uncomfortably intimate a residence.

I totally understand this.

I think you're going to have to get yourself a much less attractive dog

Nah. Me and Lucy area package deal.

When you say you can't capture them, is it because you find it hard to relate to them? It's hard to express what I mean, but do you feel a distance between you and other things in the world sometimes?

I can 'relate' to them... but yes, I feel a distance or separate from them. It sounds strange, I know... and I'm not a strange person... I'm completely normal. I know what you mean...it is terribly hard to express.

That formed a lovely image in my mind. I'd like you to promise me something, with no time limit, just go to your favourite place for contemplation, set up your camera on your new tripod and use the timer so that you can take that photo of you and Lucy yourself. I'd really like to see that

I'll try...

[ilovelucydog]

Thanks for sharing that, Chris.

The funny part of this photo is that it was never meant to be seen by anyone else...I saw a type of light that simply made me smile and thinking back on that moment, I realize that much of what I shoot is an attempt to capture a certain moment (type is not the right word as my light is almost always a morning or evening light - and, there is a defined subtlety to it that only once in a blue moon, I capture exactly as I envisioned it..I think); it is a time of day and it is ever so fleeting.

So, I guess I am slightly Arith-mastic, Noellistic, Haaslike, DMack-e-velly-vely goodian, Jiroenvyious and Mashallesque and a lot a Yan Zhang wannabe...and a little bit of everyone else. Somewhere in all that mess of otherness, there lies an exceptionally complicated, though quite simple old man still trying to capture that one perfect moment of light. I think we're all a bit crazy...and that's good; I am not alone.

[jiro]

Oh, Katy. I know what you mean because somehow your point of reasoning coincides with mine.

Your example about movie actors and singers are very good, succinct if I may say. Looking back at some of them you would see the stages that I said also applies to them as well. As budding actors they accept all types of roles because they need exposure and popularity. Then, as they mature in their trade, they are now ABLE to PICK the roles that they believe coincides with their inner self. A good example of them would be Gary Oldman, Robert De Niro, Tim Robbins, Ashley Judd, Charlize Theron, Merryl Streep, Mickey Rourke, Jeff Bridges, and others.

The last thing that I would add is that once you have reached the creative stage, what others would say about you does not have a strong bearing anymore. It's all about freedom of expression. You have already shown to the world that you are versatile enough to try anything that interests you. What you now do is simply to express your self. Whatever the reaction of the viewers to your work is up to them, but not on you. Such is not arrogance, but acceptance; not about being accepted by others but accepting you yourself for who you are. That is why at the latter stages, artists are greatly misunderstood of their work. What others failed to "realize" is that at the creative stage it is not anymore about skills but about interpretation of life using your inner being. And who are we to blindly say that "that is not him?" That is the culmination of being an artist itself - an explosion of freedom with your inner voice fully resonating from your work. The end. Hehehe.

[Wirefox]

Well since we are all getting self-indulgent....I am opinionated, incorrigible and prone to total flights of fancy. I have 3 gears

Quotidian.....in which I photograph cats bottoms in predictable semi-rural settings



Excogitative....in which I shoot cats bottoms in unusual settings



Esoteric.....where I walk around in my brain searching for the money shot. very much like Snitter trapped inside a garden shed that he thinks is the inside of his own head. It is disconcerting when you look out at the world from inside your own head. Most of the time we look at the world through borrowed spectacles. Some even have laser treatment so they can avoid seeing their own thoughts altogether



So you see I only shoot what I am when I dare to fall into my own head (you really should read Adam's Plague Dogs) The rest of the time I am producing images of cats bottoms - for the uninitiated this is reference to photographs that we shoot because we think we rather should - Good form, the predictable - we can only question your camera settings rather than your sanity - a safe and familiar world. Ok, so if its safe and warm and gives you that fuzzy feeling why on earth should we shoot what we really see. Simple - because unless we stand behind the lens naked we can never really shoot with honesty and inhibition. Once we are honest to ourselves it starts to seep into every image. We do not shoot what we are but a little bit of who we are is embedded in what we shoot.

I know this appears flippant after all the deep and meaningful stuff above....but really it isn't. Wirefox has just left the garden shed

[Katy Noelle]

Oh, dear.... you know I thought "it"! Well, we still love you anyway - warts and all! Group hug!

Actually, Mr. FW - good thinking!

[Katy Noelle]

Oh, Katy. I know what you mean because somehow your point of reasoning coincides with mine.

Oh, I never thought could happen! Now, I do wonder how it did - coincide, that is...

Your example about movie actors and singers are very good, succinct if I may say.

Well, there's a minor miracle!

Good thoughts to you, too, Jiro!

[Donald]

So you see I only shoot what I am when I dare to fall into my own head (you really should read Adam's Plague Dogs) The rest of the time I am producing images of cats bottoms - for the uninitiated this is reference to photographs that we shoot because we think we rather should. Good form, the predictable - we can only question your camera settings rather than your sanity - a safe and familiar world. Ok, so if its safe and warm and gives you that fuzzy feeling why on earth should we shoot what we really see. Simple - because unless we stand behind the lens naked we can never really shoot with honesty and inhibition. Once we are honest to ourselves it starts to seep into every image. We do not shoot what we are but a little bit of who we are is embedded in what we shoot.

Eh?

Actually, I don't mean that.

My God, you pose some challenges. You really cause me to examine what it is I'm doing and why I do it. I think I am metaphorically naked behind the lens (to be actually naked would be frightening to the lieges ... and the sheep), but am I really, or am I just pretending to myself that I am? I want to be.

[Katy Noelle]

My God, you pose some challenges. You really cause me to examine what it is I'm doing and why I do it.

I know! He strikes again! He's already had me twisted in knots about what i want to shoot - interiors/atmospheres - for months, now. Is it real or am i hiding behind domesticity? Steve, I'm baking a cake for the themed challenge! I've been thinking about it ALL day - a romantic view of the farm? Well, maybe....then, again, maybe not. Thinking about it ALL day, I tell you! I'm pretty sure that it's really 'me', though!

[Shadowman]

I'm really hoping that some of you will reply to this one, because as a result of being on this forum the relationship between photographer and image is fascinating me. It's a huge area for discussion, but I've been wondering how the choice of image and way in which it's portrayed reflects either the introverted or extroverted nature of the photographer.

At its simplest, do introverted photographers make introverted images, and the same for extrovert's ? Or can people use photography as a way to make otherwise hidden or unexpressed emotions have a real presence in the world?

Apart from my relationship with daughter, friends, nature and the sea, I'm very inhibited in real life. I'd rather die than swim naked, dance in public, or play music onstage.

I love to draw, but even these come out stripped of all emotion. I tried to paint when I was younger but fretted over all the images being so tight and controlled. A late friend of mine, a brilliant potter, once told me to forget what everyone else was saying about being 'free' and 'loose' in my paintings, and just carry on painting quiet landscapes in the greyed colours I loved so much. I gave up trying because I still wanted to show more movement and life in my paintings, but it felt as if my hands were bound and I couldn't do it.

So now I'm learning photography, and love it beyond words. I'm hoping that I'll be able to finally find a way to make my feelings visible, because I know it will never be possible for me to ever express them to anyone face-to-face.

I'd really like to hear from anyone who has something to say about their own experiences. Extrovert or introvert, does your photography reflect the person others see in real life, or does it reveal another side of you?

Seri

P.S. This is an old and mistake-ridden painting of mine that someone else forced into a frame, and it shows my inhibited style. But when I got a compact a few years ago, I never took photos like this, but only of raging seas

It was done in soft rain, and is one of my favourite places.

I think you are talking about two very different aspects of the human behavior. Being an introvert or extrovert has more to do with your social skills. What you choose to photograph is only slightly related to your social skills, if you prefer to photograph people is it more candid shots or posed shots, which is dependent on you interacting with people or shooting from a distance. Just because you prefer to photograph inanimate objects, still lifes, landscapes, architecture, has more to do with your visual sense rather than your social sense. I would have to say that I was more of an introvert early in life and am more of an extrovert later in life. During my early years I concentrated more on graphic design, sketching, and painting. Now I rarely sketch at all, but usually have a camera with me at all times.

[The Blue Boy]

Blimey, this is a bit deep innit?

OK, a few pics from me just to show that I'm probably the most eclectic 'tog on this site.

Introverted Agorophobic,



The fun guy that takes part,



The p*ss taker of editing trends,



The Blagger, (This is Madonna rehearsing in a stadium in Berlin in the late nineties. We blagged our way in. )



And the friend, (RIP Tom, you silly arse)



So you'll have to make your own mind up about me, as I've no clue.

Edit; Just realised this post might be taken for flagrant self promotion. It's not meant that way, honest. Also, Madonna is bloody tiny. Did you know that? Important fact.

[ilovelucydog]

Blimey, this is a bit deep innit?

OK, a few pics from me just to show that I'm probably the most eclectic 'tog on this site.

Introverted Agorophobic,



The fun guy that takes part,



The p*ss taker of editing trends,



The Blagger, (This is Madonna rehearsing in a stadium in Berlin in the late nineties. We blagged our way in. )



And the friend, (RIP Tom, you silly arse)



So you'll have to make your own mind up about me, as I've no clue.

Edit; Just realised this post might be taken for flagrant self promotion. It's not meant that way, honest. Also, Madonna is bloody tiny. Did you know that? Important fact.

You've got some great shots there! I love the first one.

[The Blue Boy]

Lucy/Mary,

Typical, birds always love kittens!

[Camellia]

Hi Seri

I've just stumbled across this thread and I'm glad I did. I've been a bit absent from CiC lately but you have made me feel reinvigorated (I'm searching for the right word). I'll have a think about the issues you've raised and get back with some comments.

You have certainly provoked an interesting discussion.

R

[Seriche]

Seri,

My comment was semi-tongue in cheek, semi-serious...

I like my macro shots mainly because I am completely enthralled with the natural world. Particularly wildlife in all forms... from bugs, to underwater, to the big stuff... and I love to share that with others and give them a glimpse at stuff they normally would just overlook. It horrifies me when I go to the zoo and people walk up to an enclosure, ask their kids if they see the (insert animal) and then walk on... like they're just there to be checked off some list. Our iPhone checking, Starbucks drinking (sorry Mary), non-stop world we live in has completely lost all sense of stopping and observing what is in front of us. And I think I try to fight that with my photos - to capture things... even bugs... in such a way that just might cause someone to take even a half second more to look at something in a different way.

So in that sense, yes... I shoot what I am.

- Bill

Ah, Bill,

You've said it all for me! Your reasons for doing close-ups and macro are almost identical to mine. And what you do is tied in very closely to what you are, and that way contentment lies

I always hope that by getting people to look more closely at the beauty and intricacy of 'bugs' that they might think twice before mindlessly crushing them out of existence.

I think it must be harder for others to understand your love of bugs when living in the US. I had a friend from South Carolina over once, and we had a great holiday together, but the only point of contention was that she was horrified that I had silverfish living in the bathroom, woodlice just inside the back door, spiders around the house that we'd named, and a tendency to shoo flies outside instead of applying liberal amounts of fly spray!

I sat in wonder as she described US attitudes to hygeine and bugs. I'm half-French on both sides and follow the 'peck of dirt' being good for you idea (I let my daughter play around in the mud and she's working now but has never spent a single day in bed ill). Anyway, my eyes grew wider and wider as the list of bug-eradicators and cleaning products in her house was read out to me But I never let her squish anything, though I did feel sorry for her every time she had to go to the bathroom, imagining her perched on the seat to avoid the rabid silverfish

Please tell me that not everyone in the States feels the same way about bugs as she does?

Seri