To know thyself

Originality is neither a matter of inventiveness nor method, it is the essence of personality –Edward Hopper

I have been on a good stretch with my photography lately. I have been sticking to my routine since the beginning of this year – going out to shoot at least once a week, if not more when time allows. It certainly helps winter is my favorite season of the year. Instead of dreading the bitter cold, the ice and the snow that is part of life in England, I find my creativity thriving this time of the year. With the snow on the ground, it makes life so much easier when you have far fewer elements to contemplate putting in the frame. The low angle of sun provides softer light which makes a lot of my favorite subjects look ever more appealing.

I continue to work at locations close to home, places that I have been photographing consistently now going on the third year of exploring my neighborhood. Even though the year is still young, I have already noticed there is a shift in my work. During last winter, I dedicated most of my energy to photographing ice abstracts. I learned a lot from focusing on that one aspect of winter photography, from composing up close, to trying new editing techniques that strengthen the abstract nature of those images, something I had not done before prior to last winter. Whereas with this winter, I broaden my scope with what I choose to photograph. Basically, there are no rules other than to sticking to using one prime lens on occasion. I photograph whatever speaks to me when I am on locations. Instead of thinking if the images I take belong to any of the collections I have been working on, I just go with my instinct.

I must say my loosening up with the subjects I work with have provided lots of present surprises so far. Unlike last winter, when I started off photographing the usual winter landscape scenes that I used to favor, this winter, I find myself focusing on capturing the intimate moments in life, those we tend to overlook and not think of them as worthwhile photographic subjects. I notice I am no longer interested in making images that provide immediate excitement. I feel my images taken lately reflect more of my maturity as a photographer, and I sincerely hope my sensibility shines through my images. My confidence has been growing steadily, hence I feel comfortable exploring subjects that feel close to my heart, but not necessarily the material that will impress at first glance.

Seeing the shift in my photography, I can’t help but think how wonderful photography is as a tool for forgetting to know thyself. The camera does point both ways, the images you take reflect your psyche, the information you absorb every day, and if you have a strong sense of self awareness, you can’t help but put whatever is in your energy flow into your creative endeavor. For this reason, the camera can be a powerful creative tool, but it is still a tool for what we choose to see the world through that viewfinder has plenty to do with what is inside us. The camera is a means to share our unique experiences, our ways of seeing the world; or to express our thoughts, ideas, and feelings when we are fully engaged with the environment.

Photography, to me, is a contemplative act, a wonderful way to observe myself and my interaction with my surroundings. That’s the reason I am a strong advocate of slowing down when taking photographs, especially when the genres allow it. When you put in that extra time to look, think, interpret, and express, you give your vision the space to shine through.