The greatest thing about photography is that it’s accessible to all. Now with our smart phones and compact cameras, it’s more accessible than ever! This is a great thought because it can allow more people to experience the joy of photography.
The masters are boring anyway
My frustration with a lot of contemporary photography is that it’s becoming boring and blasé. I believe that new photographers entering the scene could perhaps shake things up. If we allow more curiosity and spontaneity to emerge throughout the medium of photography, the better. If more people just take the camera and point it at things and press the shutter, the more we will see what reality can manifest to be in a photograph. Don’t get caught up with studying the masters and the boring documentaries. Just make pictures for yourself and see how much curiosity you can have in your lifetime.
Photograph, without intent
I believe that there’s this notion that you must photograph with intention, and make pictures for a particular reason or cause. I say, forget all of this nonsense. Just go out there and explore. The end of our lives are coming every second and every waking moment of the day. The more that you contemplate the perfect compositions and stories that you’re trying to create visually, the more boring your photography will become. The point is, just make pictures for yourself and yourself only. This will allow you to make more work and ultimately have more fun.
Just shoot digital
I believe that many people that just get into photography think they need to start with a film camera. At this point, I say skip this whole thing. Just make pictures with whatever camera you have available. Don’t shoot film because it’s a time suck and ultimately a bore. You have to work with chemicals at home and sit in a lab or send your photos off to someplace to have them be scanned and review them on your computer screen anyway. Embrace the new, out with the old. Don’t shoot film because it’s boring, slow, and becoming trendy and basic.
Think without borders
Don’t confine yourself to your hometown. When you’re photographing recognize that you can continue walking endlessly. You can hop on a train, a bus, a plane, etc. The world is ours to conquer and explorer. Continue waking up in the morning and going straight out of your door. Life is in the great outdoors. When you’re out there with the camera, recognize that there are no borders in this world. There’s only you, the camera, and that beautiful view right in front of you. You can do anything and go anywhere. Photography is the door that opens up endless possibilities.