Comments on: Photography’s intent: moment or memory? http://steampoweredmedia.com/blog/2009/05/photographys-intent-moment-or-memory/ fiction, photography, creativity and design Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:43:25 -0700 hourly 1 By: Greg Turner http://steampoweredmedia.com/blog/2009/05/photographys-intent-moment-or-memory/comment-page-1/#comment-81 Greg Turner Mon, 04 May 2009 16:18:54 +0000 http://steampoweredmedia.com/blog/?p=60#comment-81 Please don't regret it! My perspective would probably be drastically different had I any gone to school for photography. But I didn't, and continue to struggle with what makes a compelling image for me and for others. And yes, there are different levels of photography and photographer, just as there are different levels of writer and cook (two other things that interest me greatly). But I like the idea that people can strive, that continued (or increased) popularity of photography will enable folks to pursue their passions, to aspire to make better art. Sure, there will be those who are lazy or simpletons. And probably more of them as time goes on. But with every 20 simpletons we might get one good artist, and for me, that's a trade (at this point) I'm willing to make. Please don’t regret it!

My perspective would probably be drastically different had I any gone to school for photography. But I didn’t, and continue to struggle with what makes a compelling image for me and for others.

And yes, there are different levels of photography and photographer, just as there are different levels of writer and cook (two other things that interest me greatly). But I like the idea that people can strive, that continued (or increased) popularity of photography will enable folks to pursue their passions, to aspire to make better art.

Sure, there will be those who are lazy or simpletons. And probably more of them as time goes on. But with every 20 simpletons we might get one good artist, and for me, that’s a trade (at this point) I’m willing to make.

]]> By: Brian http://steampoweredmedia.com/blog/2009/05/photographys-intent-moment-or-memory/comment-page-1/#comment-80 Brian Mon, 04 May 2009 15:06:38 +0000 http://steampoweredmedia.com/blog/?p=60#comment-80 First off, yes the internet has helped popularize digital photography or photography in general. But I could list about 20 people off the top of my head whom do not share photos on the internet, and have no intention. I absolutely guarantee you that digital cameras have helped to popularize photography. I've been wrapped up in photography communities for a very long time, including DeviantArt way back when it first began. But I got out of all of that for many reasons, but mostly because of all the crap that people shared that was considered by them "Art" or "good" photography. I use Flickr mainly to showcase things that are not on my website, and as an archive. I guess when you become a professional photographer it might change your perspective on things (by professional I mean paid as a living), because I obviously see the term "photographer" in a completely different way than what you mentioned above. I also don't believe we are really seeing that much of a resurgence in film photography, I think people are just more aware of it because of the online communities they get involved in. In other words, if you go on the internet looking for film photographers you are going to find film photographers. Yes, technically everyone who takes "photos" is a "photographer", but there are so many different levels of it. For example, there is the pro studio photographer (won't name names) who gets paid $3500 a day to take 3 product photos, or the architectural photographer whom is flown around the world to snap a few photos of a building. They are treated or paid in that manner because they are damn good at what they do. They are not the "I snap photos and 1 in 20 is considered decent" type of photographer. Anyway, I could drag on forever about this crap and there is a reason I stopped getting involved with conversations about this sort of thing a long time ago. I'll soon regret I bothered writing this also. First off, yes the internet has helped popularize digital photography or photography in general. But I could list about 20 people off the top of my head whom do not share photos on the internet, and have no intention. I absolutely guarantee you that digital cameras have helped to popularize photography.

I’ve been wrapped up in photography communities for a very long time, including DeviantArt way back when it first began. But I got out of all of that for many reasons, but mostly because of all the crap that people shared that was considered by them “Art” or “good” photography. I use Flickr mainly to showcase things that are not on my website, and as an archive.

I guess when you become a professional photographer it might change your perspective on things (by professional I mean paid as a living), because I obviously see the term “photographer” in a completely different way than what you mentioned above.

I also don’t believe we are really seeing that much of a resurgence in film photography, I think people are just more aware of it because of the online communities they get involved in. In other words, if you go on the internet looking for film photographers you are going to find film photographers.

Yes, technically everyone who takes “photos” is a “photographer”, but there are so many different levels of it. For example, there is the pro studio photographer (won’t name names) who gets paid $3500 a day to take 3 product photos, or the architectural photographer whom is flown around the world to snap a few photos of a building. They are treated or paid in that manner because they are damn good at what they do. They are not the “I snap photos and 1 in 20 is considered decent” type of photographer.

Anyway, I could drag on forever about this crap and there is a reason I stopped getting involved with conversations about this sort of thing a long time ago. I’ll soon regret I bothered writing this also.

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