I’m a photographer. I started taking pictures as a kid and I’m not sure exactly why I started, but I did. I think I saw things in the world around me that I wanted to capture, to hold, to have. As I grew, I felt things I wanted to capture, to take and share. I wanted to communicate, to express maybe. I’m still discovering more and more, why I do photography.
My photography is considerably different than it was six years ago, it’s curious to reflect on the change. It makes me think though, and the more I photograph, the more I question why I do it. What is my motivation?
I think that creative expression is a good thing. Finding new ways to see, to feel, and communicate about those experiences can be quite powerful. I also think motives must face consistent and regular questioning. There is a fine line separating this good expression from mere selfish expression. Why must this be avoided? Selfish expression looks different to different people, it is negative when the expression becomes being about the person, and not what is being expressed. So I must be careful. Here I speak for myself, but when I photograph, I must maintain perspective. A proper perspective on who and where I am, and my place in time and space, keeps my expression from being about me. Capturing and expressing, as a means of satisfying inward desires, is a temptation to the artists, or even the intellectuals among us. We must not say, here’s how I feel, or think, appreciate it for the mere fact that I felt it. Here’s beauty that I saw, enjoy it for the mere fact that I saw it. Our expression must take place within the context we live in, and more importantly, the context of truth.
Maybe you’re an artist or thinker and you don’t struggle with this. Great; but maybe that means you should ask yourself questions about what you do. Who is it for? What do you give? Why do you give it?
What is your expression? You can find some of mine here.
I really like this. I love how you make question of motive and intent, selfish or selfless… Why are we seeing what we see? Where and what is the true source of this beauty that makes me want to capture it in whatever way I can? WHY do I want to capture it? The questions you ask in the end, the who, what and why I too believe are important. I find that when I become inspired to create something it is generally because of people. It is usually because I have seen something beautiful, whether it be in a person or something else, that I want to so badly capture and express what I have seen– most of the time I cannot capture the true essence of what it was– but I like your point about perspective — ” it is negative when the expression becomes being about the person, and not what is being expressed.” Great point :)