- I'm not a professional on the subject and I'm aware of that. I'm just a third party with his own opinions on the topic.
- There is absolutely no sense of negativity (e.g. irritation) in this article whatsoever - if anything, I hope to provide advice to some and encouragement to all. Nor is this article directed at any one specific person or persons. I swear I didn't have anyone in mind at the time of this writing. Scout's honour.
So, photography.
Seems like the hobby's been on the rise over the last few years. Everyone's leaving their mark on every picture, everyone is demanding credit for their pictures when they're used by others.
Logging onto Facebook, you see tons of marked pictures - a pet, a sunset, someone dressed in "avant garde" clothing, a band photo shoot, and so on. Granted, there's nothing wrong with the pictures themselves. However, as someone who views pictures rather than takes them, I ask myself - doesn't anyone stand out? Aren't there any pictures which stay in mind even after I've long closed the photo album?
Mind you, if you were to go abroad or on an outing or whatever, of course one would expect you to take a bunch of pictures as a keepsake. What I'm referring to is photography for the sake of, well, photography as an art.
You see, I think the problem with some photographers is that they kind of take the easy route - make the moment and snap away. What they should do is go one step ahead of everyone else and find a way to capture moments which are really worth remembering. Instead of making the moment, let the moment find you. To put it simply, take your camera practically everywhere with you and try to capture those moments which stand out, the ones which may come once and never come again. A mouse crossing a busy street, an act of vandalism, a car completely covered in stickers, someone showing off a rare talent. These things are more memorable because they show up so rarely, and yet you were there, at the right time, and were quick enough to take out your camera and take the perfect shot before the moment disappeared forever.
Another thing which I think is worth mentioning is picture editing. Imagine someone telling a cool true story, but inventing some parts here and there to make it even more colourful. It loses its authenticity and therefore its value. The same with pictures. Leave them as they are, as they really were in your eyes at that very moment.
To those who constantly share their snapshots with the rest of the world, good luck to you. I envy your patience and enthusiasm. I hope these words can prove useful to someone out there.
