I always feel that the word ‘photographer’ is merely a general, convenient term for defining a group of people with certain similarities, the same as with all words in the English language used for the sake of classification, and is limited in most applications when used as a word by itself.
A word will surely hold an entire new meaning by adding some additional description, i.e. ‘award-winning’ photographer, ‘NatGeo’ photographer, ‘AP’ photographer, ‘popular wedding’ photographer, ‘professional’ photographer, ‘art’ photographer, etc & etc.
If I may say, no matter what genre of photography we are interested in, when we debate about the who/what/why of photography & photographers, we are really only interested in knowing where we stand in that particular genre of photography we choose.
One needs only to look at all photographs, including our own in an objective manner, to judge if we are producing decent work. In that sense, exposing ourselves by looking at more photos, to the extent of even taking the risk that we may be influenced and ‘copy’ a certain style, may be a much better idea than hiding in our little world and indulging in the compliments of close friends & family. Unless of course, that is what you wish for, and thus there’s no need for you to worry about who (or what) can be defined as a ‘photographer’. Why bother?
One should always look for ways to learn, but we won’t know where to improve if we are blinded by the wrong kind of ego and/or ignorance. Of course we should always enjoy what we shoot, but at times, it may be best for us to look at our own work objectively, and define ourselves with harsh eyes. It will certainly be a wonderful experience to be aware of your growth, e.g. from ‘amateur’ photographer to photographer ‘who got a few print requests’, to’professional photographer’ with a few exhibits’, even a ‘multi-award winning nobel prize nominee’ photographer. Even if you don’t succeed, at least you will be fully aware of the point where you should stop taking yourself so seriously. Nothing can be more valuable than time.
I look at my own work and still feel most are not up to standard, and I am never satisfied everytime after a day of shooting. That’s why I think dwelling on the topic on the work of others, and whether if anyone deserves to be called photographers, is a complete waste of time.
The real question is - why do we shoot? This is one question that deserves a lot more time to ponder about for all those who take their picture taking seriously. And to be brutally honest, my answer is different almost every other year, simply because change is inevitable, and it is the only constant.
Change is everlasting, and that’s why photographs will always be interesting.
More often than not, I feel like a wondering entity, floating pass the world each day I see as a mere observer. I make no dents in the fabric of life as most can sense, at least not anything worthwhile to be of a fuss to anyone. The world as I see, is simply not meant to be made for me in mind, and my existence could possibly be by some accident that happens once in a while like the residual smell of a burp after a great meal. That could explain the fact why I couldn’t relate so well to people around me, that when they feel happy with something, I just couldn’t get it, and when I feel happy about something, they don’t get me either.
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Sometimes i wonder, if only I could detach myself from my thoughts, that I can sense the world like everyone else that happens to cross my path, things would be so much more simpler. I would focus my life on building a career, trying to get a stable or if God allows, a substantial income, find a partner and get married, have kids, see my family till the end of my life, and create another happy-ending story to mark my grave just like all good humans should live. How good would it be if I can just accept life as it is presented before me, and never cast a doubt on such a path I am taught to walk. The price to pay for one to do otherwise just seems to be much too painful to be worthy of consideration, that I would rather not pay should I have a choice. And when focusing on other things and ideals usually leads to another meaningless path of self-gradification that gets attached with other agendas, whether I like it or not, I could not find the strength nor focus to do anything, anymore.
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Some minutes ago, I told my close buddy that there’s nothing wrong with you working in a bank and desiring for more money and luxuries and gettting fustrated over getting enough money to marry his girlfriend, and all he had for me was this confused look on his face.
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The more I write, the more this sounds like words from a utter pessimist, and I do not deny that, but only because we can only understand words by the standards and definitions we are taught to think and relate with. And so when I say I love this world as it is, that I have no intention or even think of changing any part of this world, I usually throw people into some sense of confusion.
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If only we can remove our thoughts, things becomes so much simpler.
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I am happy for you my friend, cause I’m just simply happy to know that you have found your direction. Even if it was a direction that’s meaningless to me, doesn’t mean that it’s meaningless to anyone else. To put it bluntly, I’m just happy that you aren’t as confused as me.
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There’s no reason the world should change, in the bigger sense of things.
