Photography may seem like a noble enough activity, but is it really something we should devote all our time, money and energy to? Here’s how to know if photography is something you should be doing in your life.
For many of us, the title of “photographer” is ingrained in our identities. The thought of leaving it all behind is unthinkable. However, perhaps some of us would be happier if we stopped picking up our cameras. This week, photographers and educators Filippo Nenna talks about this very topic as he explores the concept of photography and separates the mechanical actions of taking pictures from the emotions we get from doing the work.
The video begins with the question of whether we enjoy what we do as photographers, even if we don’t have a camera in front of us. Examples like being in nature and not photographing landscapes or meeting new people and not taking portraits are well used to illustrate this point. This type of framing helps us unpack what components of an action we actually do and don’t like in a way many of us probably never thought of before.
For those who realize the mechanical action of photography isn’t their thing, Nenna suggests simplifying camera settings or staying away from photography manuals as a way to avoid getting bogged down in the dark. technical aspects of imaging. This video may raise some tough questions, but they are important questions for creators to ask themselves from time to time. For some of us, the answer may be that photography itself isn’t our favorite thing, and I’m here to tell you that’s okay. Life is too short to do things we don’t like. By trying to drill down and identify what we like about something, we can hopefully try to capture more of the positive aspects and reduce the number of negative ones. For some, this can be a dramatic escape from photography, while for others it may just mean refocusing. Either way, the change will hopefully lead to people doing more of what they actually enjoy doing, rather than a conception of what they think they ought to enjoy.
Have you ever thought about if you really like taking pictures? Would you still enjoy those activities even if you don’t bring your camera? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
