Photography Is A Journey – Phase 5: Defining The Photographer In You

The further along this journey you go, the closer you get to your destination. In this case, it’s the journey to define yourself as a photographer. It is about finding out what makes you tick, what sets you apart, what your images say about you, what kind of photography makes you strive for more, and what doesn’t quite strike your fancy.

It could be capturing the life of the people around you. It could be taking grand panoramas around the world. It could be capturing the defining moments of others. It could be bringing out the beauty of strangers through photography. It could be to tell moving tales. It could be about simple poetry. Basically, to each his/her own.

You don’t have to love one of the main genres of photography to define yourself as a photographer. You don’t have to be a professional. Same way you may never even need to own a DSLR. The whole idea behind defining yourself as a photographer, is knowing what kind of photos the person deep inside you wants to take, and will feel fulfilled taking. It’s the sort of photography that will drive you and take you to the next level. If all else fails, it’s the photography that you find joy in doing.

I’ve gotten a lot of nudges in this direction with events that have happened recently. They include Shootfest where I was able to meet a whole list of amazing photographers such as Jon Low, Zach Chin, Jenny Sun and Fiona Lim just to name a few. I could list them all, and I really should, but I know I’ll still forget somebody. So I’ll take my chances.

Then there was Steve McCurry’s talk which took place in Kuala Lumpur recently. To those unfamiliar with this name, Steve McCurry is the photographer behind the iconic image of the Afghan girl. Having seen even more of his work during his short talk organized by the US embassy, I’m left feeling very humbled. His images were jaw-dropping to say the least. It left me with a lot of hidden insight by reading between the lines, but nevertheless I left feeling pretty awestruck.

And then there’s David DuChemin’s Within The Frame, a book I highly recommend to those suffering from Phase 4: The Photographic Lull. Somehow or rather, the author is able to put into perspective (not to mention in the form of a well written book) the means of developing your photographic eye and defining your relationship with photography. He calls it developing your ‘vision’, basically honing your ability to take the images that you see with your mind’s eye. I remember finding this book whilst stumbling through Joe Mcnally’s blog, the latter another photographer whom I am a fan of. Hesitated for a full day, and ordered it from Amazon the next day. No regrets.

I personally have gone through a bit of agony, and put my closest friends in a fair bit too on this journey of self-discovery. I’ve done the unthinkable and switched from a Canon system to a Nikon system (a story I’ll leave for another day). I’ve bought a smaller non-DSLR camera. I stopped photographing for a long time, and at times only just played the role of a lighting assistant. I’ve gotten inspired by the books written by Joe Mcnally. I’ve taken short trips out of the city. Like I’ve said, it truly is a journey.

I have to admit I’m not quite there yet when it comes to being able to define myself as a photographer. I’ve been through all the phases I’ve described and more. As it stands, I just want to enjoy my photography. I can’t yet put into a clear perspective what my relationship is with photography. All I know, is that it’s a real passion, and I can spend hours doing it. But it does not mean I’ve gotten close enough to define myself yet.

To be able to achieve such photographic nirvana in itself will be a sense of achievement. It’s akin to finding your purpose or aim when you get lost in a barrage of distractions, decisions, and many other things in what we call ‘life’.

You see, once you’re able to define yourself as a photographer, no matter where photography takes you, no matter how many lows you go through, you will always have a direction to fall back on. You will know what drives you, and why you photograph. That little bit of light at the end of the tunnel, or so they say. The little spark to keep you going.

So I encourage you, yes you, to have a think about it, perhaps when you’re in Phase 4, and are going through a lull. What drives you as a photographer? What makes you different? What makes you… you? That answer, when you do find it, will be enough to keep you going, and I hope make you an even better photographer.

As for now, I’m still on this journey. Care to join me?

Photography Is A Journey

Phase 1 – The Possibilities are Limitless
Phase 2 – The Gear What-Ifs
Phase 3 – The Official Assignment
Phase 4 – The Photographic Lull
Phase 5 – Defining The Photographer In You