Topic 1: Mirrors and Windows
Q. What do you make of the ‘mirror’ and ‘window’ analogy?
A. I found it quite a different way of looking at the subject of photography. by using the camera I am forming a window to look through and framing it without even thinking or even doing it consciously or unconsciously. perhaps every image is a way to look at the world and is always a reflection of the artist. their motivation for taking that particular image (even if the intention was to have nothing of them reflected in it) is always there and thus a part of the photographer’s reflection. I think that photography isn’t just a mirror reflecting the photographer but also holds up a mirror to the viewer to see parts of themselves reflected back at them from the image.
Q. As an image maker, do you identify more closely with one or the other?
A. As an image maker I identify myself more closely to the window analogy as a wedding photographer I find I am directing what I see through the window but on the other hand, my clients would see the mirror as it is them at that moment. I think my personal creative photography both reflects much of who I am as a person and a photographer but I like to think it also offers a different view of the world, conceptually. Offering a new perspective to the world in which we live. The paid wedding and creative work I do is definitely intended to be more of a window into the subjects worlds with much less of me reflected into it, although it could be argued that the style of my images is a reflection of my photography but the reflection element is definitely a much weaker element in client work.
Q. What other metaphors do you know of, or can think of, that provide an insight into photography?
A. Photography is often compared to various metaphors and
analogies to provide insight into its nature and processes here are some
metaphors and analogies related to photography.
Capturing a Moment in Time.
Photography freezes a moment in a moment making it eternal
it’s like a time machine that allows you to revisit the past.
Painting with Light.
Photographers use light as their medium much like a painter
uses paint they shape and manipulate light to create their images.
Framing Reality.
Photographs frame their subjects within the confines of
their viewfinder much like an artist framing a painting on a canvas.
A mirror of the soul
Some believe that photographs can reveal the inner emotions
and character of a person like a mirror reflecting their soul.
The Decisive Moment.
The decisive moment is a term coined by Henri
Cartier-Bresson, one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century.
It refers to the moment when all the elements in a photograph come together
perfectly to create a meaningful image.
Q. What is your motivation for photography? What
do you want to learn about and how can photography help you get a greater
understanding of it?
My motivation
for photography comes in two areas that I currently do. Weddings and Landscapes I have broken these
down into two sections.
Weddings.
As a Wedding photographer,
capturing love and emotion: weddings are one of the most significant and
emotional events in a person’s life. And to have the opportunity to capture the
love, happiness, and genuine emotions of the couple and their loved ones,
creating lasting memories that will be cherished for generations. This also
allows me to input my own creative expression allowing me to experiment with different
angles and lighting, to create stunning and unique images that tell a story.
Meeting New
People: It gives me the privilege of meeting a diverse range of people from different
backgrounds and cultures. Building
relationships with couples and their families can be rewarding and fulfilling.
Job Satisfaction:
Seeing the joy and gratitude on a couple’s faces when they receive their
wedding photos is incredibly satisfying.
Knowing that I have played a significant role in making their day memorable
is the greatest motivation for me.
Landscape.
I found that
Landscape photography is a form of expression of myself, using it more of a diary
for myself on locations I enjoyed spending time and looking at, the photos are
of nothing of note and weren’t for anybody’s approval or validation. It often takes
you to remote and beautiful locations. Hiking
through the wilderness, and discovering hidden gems is a strong motivation.
It’s also an escape
from the stresses of daily life, it provides a chance to disconnect from technology,
immerse oneself in the present moment, and find relaxation in the serenity of
natural settings.
I want to be able to learn how to go into more
storytelling of the landscapes, as a lot of the landscapes I am walking and
hiking over have a hidden past.