Awesome. This PHOTOGRAPHER is awesome. It's great to see someone around the SNC campus that does not participate in anything art department produce great work.
Nick is the true definition of a photographer , to me at least. He is probably one of the most "real" photographers, if not artists, on this campus. Nick does not do this because he wants to produce trendy work. He does not do this to impress people. He does not do this for anyone else but himself. Honestly, Nick does not even really know that he is an artist. Nick and I used to be roommates a couple of years ago, but have since grew apart with our busy lives controling most of our time. We spent many late nights suffering from insomnia together - writing raps, making stupid short movies, and talking about the most random things you could imagine... or couldn't. It is no surpise to me that Nick has so much talent speaking without words. He is so good with words when he does try to comunicate, but this is a completely differnt level of communication.
The other night I walked into the graphics lab, and there was Nick - scanning away. We sometimes complain or find it hard to shoot/develop/scan/edit. Nick is not an art major. He has a busy schedule. Yet he is able to find time to do something that he has a passion for. If this is something that we are going to school for, or possibly may end up doing as a career, this is the mindset that we must be in. After a while this "work" should become part of you. A connection should be there. If you are not excited to see the work that you have produced, maybe you are not doing the right thing/shooting with the right camera/shooting the right subject matter. Really , try to make a connection with what you are doing and it will eventually become a part of you that you must get out. You will be excited to do this!
Nick tried to get into our photography class a while back, but Shane would not let him because he did not complete the prerequisites to enter the class. Frankly, I am happy that Nick wasn't able to take the course. I think that if he were "under pressure " to produce, he would not make the beautiful, real, raw, work that he is producing. I have felt that some of us, including myself, have been doing work for a grade rather than something that we believe in. Honestly, who cares what Shane thinks of what you are doing. If it's something "real" to you, the process that he speaks of will eventually catch on and you will see great development of UNIQUE work.
When I saw this image all I could think about was the work that Sam has been doing with her grandma. Now I am not saying this to put Sam's work down, but there is a different feel to this photograph compared to Sam's work. I'm not sure if it is in the camera choice, the film speed, the depth of field, or all of the above, but I just get a genuine/real feeling from this photograph. Nick told me what his grandma told him right before he took this image. It was something like "the road is the arm of my mother, calling me home"... that's freakin deep. And the best part is - he captured this so well that I can almost get that feeling.
Anyways, I am presenting his work tomorrow, but I put different images up. Nick is a great photographer - and I think he could actually have some success if he keeps doing what he is doing. Little does he know that I added a special touch to this clothes line photo. The little blue specs are crayon fragments of mine that have been stuck on the scanner for forever... That's what I'm talkin about.
So the question of the day is: Are you doing the art you are doing for yourself, or are you doing it for Shane's approval/a good grade?
3 comments:
I think the answer's obvious. You BETTER do it for yourself; you are the only one who'll always be there...
Great post.
Chris,
I KNOW I am doing my photography for me. As of recent, it is the best thing ever!! I think yes, all of us are meeting deadline dates, and completing assignments for a grade. But ultimately, I could not be doing anything more rewarding for myself right now. I make appointments to go shoot at the prison every week. I do not have to go this often to meet the minimum requirement for a grade. I do it for me. I know that I should go back this often, at least, for myself. Every time I go, I find something different, a new way to see things. If I were to do this solely for class, to meet a grade, it would not be nearly as hard as it is (emotionally/physically, etc.) Entering into that space is draining. I stay there for as long as I can each time I go to push myself. This is also why I am hesitant to bring an "assistant." I think that that would sort of limit what I could see and how I move int that space.
I don't think you were in class the day that I gave my presentation. But I opened it with an entry from my journal. It was so emotional to me that I couldn't even get through reading it. It basically said that this (creating art/photos) is who I AM currently. I've never felt that before this semester, being confident in what I was doing. I am not comfortable at the prison, I don't think I will ever be during my time there. But it is who I am. I don't do it for a reward, because I know that it is not very rewarding.
I think you have a very valid point here. We should not just be doing things for a grade. But for ourselves. I think this was my biggest discovery with the prison, because it does get tiring. I naturally want to do things more comfortable, but I must push myself to do more. And quite frankly, usually Shane and I disagree in review of every contact sheet as to what photos are strong, so I certainly don't try to take photos and seek for what he might approve when shooting.
Your friend has an awesome eye. I'm glad you shared this. I think that since he is outside of the art program it may allow him to see more, essentially. I think it is so neat that he is willing to put in so much effort for his hobby/passion. I know I lack that inspiration sometimes, like everyone does. But as of late, my photos I take are for me. I've come to realize that I cannot give a shit as to trying to seek approval when doing art because nobody will be pleased.
Well said Jacki, I don't think I can really say anything more. Advanced photography has been the only class where I have felt a personal connection and the most improvement. Yeah, there are deadlines, but in the end I am really enjoying my process. Comparing how I shot in intro and the way I shoot now is night and day.
Finding the unique way in which I need to work has been extremely important. I was not totally aware before of how to go about my photography but I am not comfortable in what I know I HAVE to do to create something that is meaningful to me. This morning was my light bulb moment. While I was uploading before class I knew that what I shot was what I was looking for, even before my contact sheet review. It's you who really needs to be satisfied, other people just have to deal with it.
Jacki, since I have consistently been seeing your work online and in crits I can appreciate just how much you have been putting in, and it shows. Good job!
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