Michelle,

When I shoot i shoot for me. I shoot because I am looking to show something I see, something I see that I want others to see. Perhaps it is because I find it pretty, or perhaps it intrigues me somehow. I shoot things because I like them for some reason.

I think your professors want to know why you like them. They want to understand your motivation, or moreso, they want you to understand your own motivation. The question is do you need to question it? I don't think so. Know what it is perhaps but not question it.

Fine art is not defined by teachers, it is defined by viewers. I often feel that those who teach tell us that we must do this or compose like that or shoot in B&W, or in color, or high contrast or... The list goes on and on. What they know is nothing. They are translating their own desires to see the world in their view. I am not trying to show what I see in your or their views, I am showing my views, the way I see things. I want people to know what I see. I want the world to know that there are differnt views to everything. My view is but one.

Then there is the most important reason I shoot. because I get joy from it. Plain and simple, I feel good when I am working on my photography. Whether I am walking in the woods or trying to find that special something about a subject that makes them attractive, and the hard part, capturing it.

I didn't go to school. The reason is two fold.

1. I hate tests. Test are about me being able to see things the way the instructors do. I learned a long time ago I don't see the world as others do, and I don't want to! If I did, I wouldn't be true to my art. I may not be as "good" as some in this forum and I may be a bit better than others, but I am always true to myself.

2. The other reason I haven't gone to school is because I don't want to lose my unique view of the world. I don't want to put a Mapplethorpe angle to my work, nor do I want to shoot scenes like Adams. I want my work to be my own. I retreat into my photography. It is my space in the world where I can hide. I can be "me" right in front of everyone and not have to apologize for it. Other shooters understand what I mean. Being lost in a crowd so to speak.

Pat may stop shooting. If she does I will miss her work. I enjoy it. I occasionally see shots of glass paperwieghts and think, "yeah thats a good shot but, Pat already did that. And I think she did it better." She and I met on another forum (that has died a quiet death), and I love her work.

So Pat, do what you must, but I for one miss your work.

Michelle, Don't think of what others think of your work. Don't think about how to explain it either. Just think of how to get the shot YOU want, and those Angel wings of our moody moderator will never fail.

We are true Photographers. We don't need to speak well of our work. It explains itself. That is why;

A picture is worth a ....

Magick Michael

Message edited on: 07/13/2004 05:44