There is an old photographic saying that goes something like; “if you buy a camera, you are a photographer; if you buy a piano, you own a piano.” No matter what your experience may be with the camera and making photographs, my question for you is, what is your commitment to photography? Are you dedicated to making photographs? Do you make prints? Or, are you only interested in the hardware?
When I think of what a truly dedicated photographic artist would look like, I think of Edward Weston. He lived a very simple life. He was not a camera aficionado. Edward did not have an elaborate darkroom. Yet he created some of the most influential photographs of his time. He was all about the finished image. Certainly he was a master of his technique and the hardware he used. But technique and hardware were only the tools he used to do what he loved.
One trend I find disturbing is that people today do not make prints. There is something very special about a finished print. Whether held in an album, or framed on the wall. Just the act of making a print says there is something special about this particular photograph. It requires, even demands you look! Not a casual glance, but to really take the time to look at what is there.
I don’t care what hardware you use, do you make finished prints? Do you feel your time, money and effort is worthy of making a print? Do you go out and shoot several hundred images, look at them maybe once then discard them? Why not go out with the intention of making only one photograph which you will then take the time to make a finished print from? Why not intentionally go and make only one or two, or three photographs? Then choose the best, and take the time to make a print. Hang it on your wall and live with it. Show it to everyone you know.
Maybe, just maybe if you made prints and did it often, you could influence others to do the same. Why not be different? Why not get out of the rut of snap, look and discard? Why not demand that people look at what you do? Make a statement! Do it to the best of your abilities. Make a finished photograph. . . make several. Be tough on yourself and make photographs that say something to you. If you reach others, then you are doing something worthy. You are expressing yourself and not just flashing something on a little screen to immediately forget and discard.
Why not be a trendsetter? You never know, you might even surprise yourself!
JB
