Just a quick note today, an observation really. Much of the photography I see, especially on social media, has more emphasis on style rather than substance. Aesthetically pleasing (some are anyway) but ultimately fleeting and disposable. I have no problem with ‘pretty photographs’ after all photography is a visual medium and if it is pleasing to the eye then that’s a victory, isn’t it? Well yes and no – there is a danger that as photographers we can get lost in a sea of similarity, where the world is overloaded with photos of pretty people. Where the photography doesn’t really say much at all.
That’s actually not such a bad thing, well I’d be a hypocrite to say that it is considering that a fair proportion of my job is either doing just that or teaching people how to take pretty pictures of pretty people.
However I’d also encourage you to go deeper into photography. Think about putting a narrative into your images – tell a story. Whether this is like a documentary or like a fairy tale or anywhere in between, that’s up to you.
Be creative, honest, entertaining, inspiring, devilish, virtuous, educational, revealing – in combination or as single elements. Try producing a series of cohesive images rather than just one individual photograph. Consider using periods of time as chapters or episodes.
Don’t disregard the aesthetic but use it as purely another layer in your work. Watch what happens when you start to putting it together. It will make you see photography in a different and hopefully more profound way.
If this resonates with you please email me with your thoughts and images.
Keep taking photos!
Michael 🙂