State of mind
Subjective, abstract, and vague
Lately, I've been drawn to watching YouTube videos about the emotions, mental processes, and beliefs behind artists' creations. These videos put me in a state of mind that is conclusive to creating art. After I watch them, I want to pick up my camera and go out to shoot. They are inspiring in a way no other type of video is.
As a side effect, the videos led me to start analyzing the reasons I do photography. What drives me, and why?
I'm not inclined to self-analyze because I'm not too fond of it or scared of what I can find. However, I am making an exception. Slowly, I'm trying to put into words the feelings, state of mind, or whatever you want to call it, that triggers the impulse to capture life in photographs.
This article is a small step in this new direction. This is a way to encourage myself to get deeper into this journey.
I don't want to infer that each photo results from a profound spiritual experience. This cannot be farther away from the truth. Most of the time, my photos start with an automatic reaction to a subject or scene.
But sometimes, there's more behind them.
How do I explain this? It's subjective, abstract, and vague. More often than not, it is closely linked to light. Light produces a reaction in my brain that helps me visualize the photo that's there to be taken. When this happens, I have a significant percentage of "keepers." Sometimes, it's the subject itself that reveals a photo opportunity, whether it is the leading lines, the beauty or the 'provocative' factor. This happens more often when watching or reading inspirational material.
Then, there are the days when I go through the motions. Taking pictures, some average, some bad, and yes, some good. I must keep active because I'm always one step away from the next 'inspired' moment.
Learning the technical aspects of photography gave me the tools, and exploring photography's intellectual and emotional elements gives me purpose and satisfaction.
I encourage you to read or watch these creators if you haven't already. I find them very inspiring.
The Photographic Eye - YouTube
Happy shooting!