I had some spare time recently and chose to use it browsing and bantering back and forth on a well-known national photography forum. The selected 'thread' was devoted to blaming newby digital photographers for the demise of the future of professional photography. My conclusion: It's amazing to see how much passion and energy is spent passing the buck rather than looking to ones' self.
I asked: "Rather than whining, why not lead?" No one on the thread knew how to respond. The replies immediately regressed back to self-doubt and proclamations that the business of photography is doomed because of EEWACs (Everyone Else With A Camera.) Responses instantly regressed with sniping about their own superiority and then disparaged the quality of the work being passed around as "professional" by newby photographers.
It's amazing that so many talented photographers, people who are supposedly gifted at focusing, are more inclined to crank their vision to a self-centered, micro-depth of field. Their focus is so narrow that the Big Picture has been lost in a blur. They follow along, whimper and forget the power they, as individuals have at their fingertips. Perhaps they have never understood what is possible with their own potential as a person. It's easier for some to pass the buck rather than stand up and lead.
I'm talking about Photographic Leadership: Making a conscious decision to understand our roles in the world around us. This applies to much more than just the click of an fstop or aperture. Rather ... what can we do to make a difference in someone else's life with our work (instead of tearing others apart)?
Observing. Teaching. Sharing. Appreciating. All of these are more than just words. They are tools that can lead one to understand his or her own place on this earth.
What is photographic leadership to me?
Get in the trenches.
Teach. Make a change in the photographic environment we live live in. Mentor someone. Give them something to aspire to.
Be a Role model.
Continue to put out awesome work while demonstrating a positive business plan.
Impact your community.
Advocate. Join a non-profit or community organization and make a difference with your art. Illustrate what a true professional is capable of creating.
Develop your own Speaker's Bureau (a list of professional organizations you can speak to on an annual basis about what is going on in the world of photography).
Continue to grow and learn.
Absorb everything! Talk with others. Learn from others (even newbies!). Share ideas. Stretch your own boundaries. Step outside of your comfort zone.
Define your Legacy.
Long after you're gone, what will be your mark? What trace will you leave behind? Has your life (or photography) made a lasting imprint on those around you?
Thanks for listening!
Awesome post David. I definitely owe you a big show of appreciation for being my mentor. It'sad that you had to come across such a thread. From what I have experienced here in Anchorage at least, we have a wonderful community of professional photographers willing to help those of us who are trying hard to learn and break into the biz. Still, there are those out there that have that elitist attitude which only proves to discredit their work in the end.
ReplyDeleteHear! Hear! That's the attitude, David! May we all aspire to reach out and "give"of our talents, rather than sit back and wait to receive. If we choose to forge ahead and keep our focus on what we as individual photographers do best, and not let what others are doing get under our skin, or influence us negatively, then we'll ALL prosper in the end.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! ~Janna