It is everyone’s dream to make a living out of what they love to do. Some may love to drive and, dream about being a race car champion, others may want to look cool in a business suit and, dream to be a renowned corporate figure, I want to be a wanderer telling stories through my photography and, here in this diary entry, we will discuss about how to decide whether or not you want to be a photographer?
I am not a veteran photographer, but I have seen that encouragement from people around plays a vital role in the making of an artist. Photography is somehow a collaboration of science & art. When you hold a camera with an intention of capturing a good image, you must observe light like a scientist and at the same time appreciate color & beauty of your subject as an artist. If you lack either of these traits, it is going to be tough for your images to convey emotions.
On the bases of my observations and personal experiences, I have classified the process of decision making about the career in photography into following four stages:
1. Photographer by luck – This does not mean that you lack talent, or as they say “the photographer’s eye”. Here, it simply means that you created a photograph, for which you did not use any special consideration towards light & composition. This is the earliest stage. It can be your childhood, or maybe one or two of your first few images that you took with your new camera. The point is, you clicked an image and it received appreciation from the viewers. This is a stage which directs yours creativity towards photography.
2. Photographer by chance – Once you start taking the compliments for your lucky shots on a serious note, you enter this second stage. Here you are seen with your camera more often. Clicking almost everything & anything. I remember there was a time when I clicked 758 images on a two day trip, sadly not all were keepers. In fact, in this stage you might not get many good images out of your numerous clicks. Still, this is an important phase because, it polishes your skill with camera as you will be experimenting most in this phase. Your dedication towards photography will also be checked in this phase. The more you experiment and, strive to make good images in this phase, the less you struggle in the later stages.
3. Photographer by choice – As soon as you start getting good results in your second phase, you enter the third stage. By this time, you will be clicking subjects that are special to you. By the word ‘special’ I simply mean moments that makes you feel more expressive with your photography. I found out that I like to capture the spirit of the places I travel. I enjoy interacting with local people and, try to represent face of life in that particular place with its particular natural, cultural & social environment. Similarly you may love capturing still life, Natural landscapes or, people etc. Bottom line is that in this phase you are going to figure out your trigger for photography.
4. Photographer by determination – Now that you have figured out which kind of photography you enjoy the most or, what is your favorite subject, your real challenge starts. It is determination. This will distinguish you from a hobbyist or, photography enthusiast. In your journey to this stage you will start getting compliments and, critique on your work. If compliments make you feel satisfied or, critique makes you feel disheartened, you are still in one of the earlier three stages. If you find yourself focused only on making better images in your own unique style, learning from compliments & critique alike, then congratulations you stand a good chance of creating some everlasting images.
If you are still confused about how to know that you want to be a photographer? Then my friend, you decided to be a photographer in that very moment when you decided to create a good image from that camera in your hand.
Now you only have to think whether you want to make a living from it, or not? The decision is always yours. I look forward to seeing your photography and learning from you.