For this past one year, I’ve been making the consistent effort to treat my photography differently. I’ve essentially decided to make it my own diary. What I mean by this is that I am making photographs simply to see where my mind and body wandered any given day. My photographs are my personal diary of what I witness throughout my short time on this earth.
All we have is now
Treat the camera as a personal record keeping tool. Don’t try to impress anybody or make a picture that is “good.” Simply use the photographs you create as a way to remember the day. I believe that this is the most honest approach to making any art. Do not go out there with any particular project in mind, place, or thing that you are looking to find. Simply unwind, and take your good old time. There’s no rushing, and there is only now. When you are focused on the moments in front of you, and not on the external result itself, you will make better pictures. Embrace the autotelic approach to making art.
The term “autotelic” is derived from the Greek words “auto,” meaning “self,” and “telos,” meaning “goal” or “purpose.” It describes an activity that is done for its own sake, with the goal and reward being the activity itself, rather than some external outcome. This concept is often associated with experiences of flow, where individuals are fully immersed and engaged in an activity that is intrinsically rewarding.
Photograph your journey through life
When it comes to Street Photography, I believe that the name of the game is in the mundane. You may think your life is boring, but it’s actually infinitely fascinating when you view life through the lens of a camera. Uplift the small moments in your every day routine, and even embrace the selfie. I believe that all street photographers should turn the cameras on themselves and make self portraits as a fun exercise. When you think about it, we’re always making pictures of strangers, why not of ourselves?
Why?
At the end of the day, it is only you that is viewing your pictures. Sure, you may make a website to publish your work or share them with your friends and family, but at the end of the day it’s really just you looking back at the work that actually cares. Once you recognize this, it reshapes the way in which you approach the medium. The personal diary is something that you keep for yourself and yourself only. Remove external goals from your photography and simply keep your photographs as a memory for yourself.