Photographs: More than just a Moment.

I know that I have tackled the question of what makes a photographer. I get into a number of things that separate the fakes from the real deals. Now, I'm going to go a step further.

There are REAL photographers, than there are the photographers that change the world. These photographers are world renowned for a reason. They go way past the glamour. They have gone far beyond a comfort level many of us will never encounter, or understand. Their lives have actually been at risk. They go into the areas most wont.

Why?

Throughout my life, I have be able to see and do some great things. I set goals, and I achieve them. I remember how I set the goal to make it to Australia. Getting to Australia was a pipe dream. People from the lower east side of Buffalo barely get to the other side of town let alone to a country on the other side of the world! It was a long process, but I got there! I was extremely happy. I set out to do something, it was a hard road, but I finally made it. I was the happiest girl in the world. Once that happens, once goals are met I feel like something strange occurs within a person. I took care of me, I was having fun, doing what I wanted to do, but all I kept thinking was, "I want to do something that matters in the world." I wanted to, I don't know, make a difference, do something meaningful, or at least good ya know?  It was almost as if I was done living in my pleasure bubble.  I joined a conservation group while I was away on my exchange program in Australia. I got to plant trees! It was a small thing, but hey, trees are important!

That "I want to make a difference" feeling consumes several people around this globe. Photographers included. Successful photographers spend such a long time getting to their ultimate goal (whatever that may be) than they achieve their goals, and I think that's where the feeling to give back comes in.

How the hell CAN photographers make a difference in this world?

I've heard some photographers say, "Oh, all I do is just take pictures." I always hated to hear those types of things. I mentioned in previous posts how capturing a memory can really affect so many people. They'll have the memory for years to come. You, the photographer, created and made that image part of history. That person in their time of sorrow can look back at a loved one that has passed, and remember and re-live how beautiful they were. A person can be having the worst day of their lives, look at a picture, and feel just a little bit better. I will even go as far as to say that photographers have saved lives by preventing someone from committing suicide. These things, in fact have happened. If that isn't making a difference I don't know what is.

I went to a the NYC photo expo Fall 2012,  and I loved it! Of course I did. I saw a post card promoting this documentary about glaciers. The promotions kept mentioning how stunning the images were. I spent some time in Alaska so, I was immediately sold. I HAD to see this movie!! Without even knowing the true point to why this documentary was made. There was some specials screenings, I kept missing the ones they had in NYC. I kept checking where it would be playing. I finally saw it. I happen to find it late Sunday night (7/7/2013) on Netflix. I was tired, but as soon as I saw it, I was determined to stay up, and watch every minute.


The documentary was called "Chasing Ice." It is covering a photographer, James Balog on his mission to capture the current state and the continuing depletion of the world's glaciers. He has always felt very connected to nature, being able to capture it in a such an in-your-face way. But he also has done his research he gets into the science of it all. When you hear him speak in the documentary, his passion definitely comes across strong, and you begin to really feel how he feels. However, covering glaciers you're going to jump right into the Global Warming Controversy. Ya know, the whole... oh it was a big deal, but oh, now apparently scientists don't agree, wait a minute- there really isn't anything wrong with our Earth. Blah. Blah. Blah. I think the people who experienced Hurricane Sandy will beg to differ. I will refrain from getting too into all the crazy weather we have been having for the past few years. Balog sets out to actually document the amount the glaciers are receding. I could get into the science of it all, but I want you to watch it, and take it all in there. He wanted to take a picture once every hour (during daylight) for an extended period of time. I think he ended up doing somewhere around 3 years. and time-lapse all of it! Yes, its about an Ice survey. Yes, the images are absolutely breath taking. Yes, it was shot great. Yes, there is a great story here. BUT... what he does is provide crystal clear evidence of what is happening on our planet.



He was a photographer that wanted to show the world the problem. He wanted to alleviate all of the nonsense going around in the media, and maybe lessen the confusion that surronds this Global Warming issue. He wanted to make a difference. People dont know what to believe anymore, and he provided the proof. There are stills that are taken and you can compare one or two photos, but to see the evidence in this way hit a bit closer to home.

He's not the only photographer to ever do this. By no means. There are so many photographers' photos that have changed the way we have looked at social issues, and events happening on our planet. They've given the masses the reality check needed when the country was at war, and the American public was safely back home in their own little bubble totally oblivious to what is happening in the world wound them. They put the problems from around the globe right in the faces that refused to believe such horrible things were actually materializing, and lingering for years to come. They provide the shock value, and the dose of reality that needs to be had for the more advantaged in this country, and overseas.

Iraqi War Prisoner

Starving Child and Vulture

Napalm Accident Tragedy

The photographs above are famous for a reason. They are the reality no one wants to admit. There are a lot of things that exist in this world, and actions that are taking place right now that people do not want to realize. We have to live right?? We have to somehow be able to lead happy lives, be able to raise our kids, and think our children have a chance in this world. When I get to thinking about all the crazy messed up things in this world that are happening right as I type this, it is such an overwhelming feeling, and one of despair. It's because I can't fix any of it quickly. We all are part of the solution, and we can do small things to get to the goals we set for the world we live in. Whether its dealing with pollution, famine, war, or the climate change that is scaring the the crap out of everyone. We have to stop thinking "oh, I'm only (fill in the blank) I can't really do much." I don't believe that for a second. Each person is important, has a role, and affects a great deal throughout just a single day.

Never underestimate a passion, talent, or a love of something you want to do with your life.
Photographers don't just take photos, they directly affect the world around them.

The Photographer's Question

There have been hundreds of thousands of people... forget that... MILLIONS of people that find their art, and creativity in photography. People love it!! People have a passion for it. People see the world through a camera even when a viewfinder isn't lifted to their eye.

Something happens to a person once they snap the shutter, and they've captured a specific moment in time. Hell, maybe you dont feel that way about photography, but I do! Sometimes I just see something, an urge takes over, and I NEED to capture it. Even if it doesn't turn out to be the best photo ever I still needed to take that photo. I always go with my feelings when it comes to photography.

That relationship, or connection with pictures that I have probably comes from my parents. We've always put photos on our walls, either of just the family, or of a great sunset my father got to see while fishing. My mother always creates these cool scrapbook-esq pieces to put on our walls. I know thats where my love of scrap-booking comes from. There's just so much to do with photographs, and thats what makes this medium so great!

So, the passion is there. You have the creativity. Hell, you even have a camera. For those who want to become a photographer have to ask the question: How do I make a living doing this??

My generation has seen photographs go from just 35mm film to the whole Instagram situation! The transition to digital was mind blowing for everyone, I think. Everything became SO easy!!! Today, everyone is a photographer. Everyone that can get their hands on a smartphone and create an Instagram account, slaps some filters on their pictures calls themselves a photographer. Call me a snob, but I've had training in photography, and I feel like I've developed a style, and an eye for certain detail. I have practiced my photography, looked into techniques, ventured into what I think is art on a photography standpoint, and I'm sorry but Instagram?? If thats what in fact you are doing... YOU ARE NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER.

Being a photographer is far more than just taking a picture. Anyone can do that! Especially now, more than ever. So, what is it that sets the real Photographers a part from the fakes? Anyone can learn the equipment(depending on how quick you learn, and your ability to pick up on tech-y things.) We've already established anyone can actually take the picture. So, what do I think it is? There are so many out there utilizing our precious moments like our weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and even our children to make a buck and to call themselves photographers. These are the things we want captured. We want to re-live those great moments. We want to freeze our child in time to remember how cute they were at 4 years old, especially when they become that horrible, rebellious teen. I'm sure several people have encountered the terrible class photos, family portrait, or even wedding photos where you ended up wasting thousands of dollars. When things like this happen that's when you know not everyone can be a photographer. Mainly because you're pissed that you got shitty photos out of the deal.

There are many different types of photography out there, and I'd like to think that the beloved "Long-Arm photography" as I like to call it, is not a type of photography, but just the thing that those instagramers need to fulfill whatever attention needs they have. We live in a world of instant gratification now, and Instagram is just the thing to satisfy the needs of the attention-whore. I wont even get into the duck-face and bathroom mirror photos!!

Long Arm Photography!! 

See, even I've done it. 

I will not say that everyone on Instagram is talent-less. I have seen some great things on there!! I have always said that it doesn't matter what equipment you use to be a great photographer. I've seen some crazy impressive equipment owned by a half-assed photographer and didn't really impress me with what they produced. I've seen amazing things come from people that could only afford a cheap point and shoot. So, equipment does not make the photographer!


The Photographer's question isn't, "How Do I make a living doing this?" Now, it's "Am I REAL Photographer?" A great photographer is humble, and know thats there is always room for improvement. They never get to cocky either. They always work hard with the equipment they have, and they go with their instinct, and feeling when they take a photo. A great photographer has immaculate attention to detail. It's the difference between a ruined photograph when a photographer doesn't see that bra strap, or a lop-sided tie, or the garbage-can in the distance of a great landscape. A photographer that sees the tiniest detail, and the big picture, all at the same time! Knowing your equipment is half the battle, it doesn't have to be a Leica, but whatever you are using make sure you know how to produce the best picture possible. Knowing how to work with what you have is a great skill, and I'll go as far as to say thats even a talent.

When I think about how I take pictures, and if I am in fact a "Real Photographer" I often wonder if I passed the bar, or are up to par, or whatever measurement you want to use. Do I measure it by how many people say they love my work? Do I base it off of how much I sell? I'm not really sure. I do appreciate the eye that I have. I think that composition, and whatever you put in that frame is the most important. It doesn't matter if you had a bad camera, you were freezing, and couldn't achieve a steady hand, or that person just photo-bombed your picture. If you have a vision make sure it makes the frame exactly the way you wanted it to.

Capturing a moment is one thing, but if you can capture that moment, the emotion, and make someone else, even a total stranger, feel that emotion years later from looking at it than it goes way beyond just snapping the shutter. When you can do that you can then say yes, I am a REAL Photographer.

I like the Black and White!

One on-Going Project I have going is this NYC black and white project.

So, what do I mean Black and White? When I look at things I feel like I always see things in photograph form. I can see the composition constantly. When I see a photo with my eyes, and the urge strikes "Yes, you need to take a picture" thats exactly what I need to do.

Sometimes while walking around the city on my everyday errands I see colors that just stand or POP out. For me, the color black is such a striking color, and very aesthetically pleasing to my eye. It's my favorite color. I dont know why. It just is. The color black happens naturally in a lot of ways in the city, and I wanted to capture that. I didnt want to make just make some regular black and white photo. I love black and White photography, but I wanted to find black and whites that were already there.

I'm real big on contrast too. I want things to be striking!! I love black and whites. I am really into the giant contrast between the two. I love the combination. To find that combination in the city is a bit more challenging. This project is definitely in progress. I think as I go along my end result may change, morph, and develop into something I am not aware of now. Who knows?? But thats the beauty of art!!

Here a few examples of what I mean. These aren't edited. Once I think I am done shooting this than I will go into my editing stage.

Those are just a few examples of where I am going with this. I really wanted to avoid the continuous picture of texts, signs, and things of that nature. The nails picture isn't really a Black and White per se, but I liked it. I may include the grey areas into this whole project. I'm not sure. I took the picture so, it has to be connected in some way. I'll find the connection down the line somewhere.