The Photograph, The Photographer, or Both

  I have been thinking (that can be dangerous so tread softly...).  As a photographer, I love it when people compliment me on my images.  (Although it shouldn't),  first of all it gives validity to the knowledge that I am a good photographer.  Secondly, it lets me know that I am touching my viewers thru my work (and isn't that what every photographer wants?).  But when it comes to photographs of people, what should be showing up first? What should the viewer be seeing first in those images?

  Should it be the photograph (the actual subjects in the image), the photographer (how great their interpratation of the image was, how techically correct it is, how moving it is) or both those things working together that should first capture the minds and hearts of viewers?

  While a small part of me says it should be the photographer (because didn't the photographer create the image and record it?) another, bigger part of me says that it should be the image itself that initially captures the audience. 

  What is the purpose of photographing anything?  People, birds, dogs, cathedrals, waterfalls...The list could go on forever....  I think the purpose of a photograph is to capture a moment in time and record the emotional qualities that moment gave. 

  If that is true, then when someone looks at an image, in a sense, they own it.  They see in it things that I can't see.  Therefore, it is not how great the photographer is that is prevalent but how an image speaks to the viewer.  The photographer captured the moment (and emotion in the moment that they felt) but the primary purpose of the image is not to showcase the talent the photographer has.  Does that make sense? 

  I feel that I am putting all this very poorly but does anyone kinda get where I'm going?

  Now, I do believe that there are times when the photographer's talent is the main focus of an image but only in certain cases should it be the most prominent focus.  Like at an art exhibit showcasing the photographers work.  

  There are also times where both the photograph and the photographer work together and should be complimented as such.  Maybe with a hard to photograph subject (a child who will not cooperate and the photographer somehow gets them to smile), or when there is a challenge in lighting, composition, etc and the photographer figures it out and creates a beautiful finished product.

  Anyway, that's some rambling thoughts for this morning.  I hope they weren't too incoherant. 

  I'd love to get your opinion and thoughts on this idea....

Sara

6:41 PM

  I came across this amazing, heartfelt post that is a MUST READ while browsing thru the blogs I follow.  In a sense, it ties into this post.  But make sure you have kleenex handy, it made me cry!!!  It's well-worth the read.

Are You Doing What You Want to Do?

  My last post was about my third indoor session with my uncle's family in Statesville, NC.  I forgot to mention one small, easily forgettable moment, however.  I'm glad I remembered it because it's really kinda important (to me anyway).

  My uncle and I were in the house while my mom and the children were playing outside and my aunt was gone to their church to practice a song.  I was editing the photos I'd taken of them and he was making peanut butter sandwiches for the kids.  We were talking about something and I said something like, "I don't always feel like I know anything" and/or "I don't always feel smart"....To which he replied, "Well, are you doing what you want to do?" (by this he meant photography). Of course, I said yes.  Because I AM doing what I want to do.

  Unlike some people, I never had a clear vision of what I wanted to "do" with my life.  When I was really little, I dreamed of being a Librarian and then a cashier or bagger at Food Lion (yea, I had high expectations, didn't I? lol.).  Then when I was in high school I thought that my love of writing would be a good place to start for college majors so I went a year to Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola Florida for Commercial Writing.  However, writing wasn't a passion. 
 
  My entire life I have loved taking photos.  And while at Pensacola Christian College I was required to take a Photography class for my major.  Looking back, I can see the Lord's hand in that.  While taking that class I was required to get a 35MM SLR camera.  Having that camera and taking that class opened my eyes to what I could do with photography and my attraction for it began to grow. 

  In April of 2009 I held a photo exhibit of my best work at the time and invited friends, family andfellow church members.  I got a little exposure, sold a few of my prints and most of all, officially began my business.

  Since then, I have had many doubts and times when I wasn't sure what exactly I was doing but the Lord has known the whole time and He has never failed me.  Not when I needed wisdom, or clients, or feedback, or someone to push me to do better.  He has been faithful.

  I am glad that today I can truly say, "I am doing what I want to; what I love."

  Can you say that?

Sara