Photography is so Negative
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but photography is filled with so many negative words. No wonder people are intimidated by photographers. You are probably wondering what I’m talking about. You see photography as a creative expression of your vision. But some words have negative meanings and even when put in innocent phrases you feel those negative words. Here’s the 3 biggies.
1) Take a picture – Are you stealing the picture? The term take implies without permission. It’s like you are now an art thief removing pictures from everywhere stealing moments in time.
2) Capture an image – This is almost like saying kidnapping an image. Once again forcibly removing the image from the scene. The camera is now a net or a snare for you the photographic hunter.
3) Photo Shoot – You shoot a camera and you shoot a gun. What’s the purpose of shooting? Destruction of whatever is in the way.
We need to change these words and phrases. Even a simple change in wording can have a big impact on how people view you and your photography. I continue to slip from time to time, but these are the alternative phrases I try to use.
1) Make a picture – This sounds like you are a photographic construction worker, building the picture from scratch. Actually this is closer to the truth anyway. There are many decisions you have to make when you take a picture. So take those decisions and make that picture.
2) Produce an image – The act of creation. Almost makes you seem like a god.
3) Photo Session – What can be more politically correct than the word session. It almost sounds like you are going to a meeting. In a way you are, you have to dress up for it. At least the people having their photos made need to dress up.
You may think I’m joking about this whole post. Really I’m not, even though I try to make it as lighthearted as possible. Just a simple change in terminology can set you above the rest.
