Dirty Little Secrets #3

Posted by Philip in Photo Philosophy

The third secret of photography is an attempt to quiet negative people, especially negative photographers.  From time to time you will run into these people, the know-it-all.  They’ll make sure you know it too… not what they know, but the “fact” that they know it all.  I ran into one of these photography “experts” at a recent meetup.  He was actually telling someone what to photograph.

Here’s the secret: You can photograph anything.  There are no rules in this matter.  Want to photograph the floor?  Fine.  Think the dust on grass is interesting?  Great.  Do you feel that clouds over people’s heads  from low and behind is a good photo?  It probably is. All this goes back to that old adage, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”  This is particularly true of photography.  Photograph what you like.  Just because I make portraits, doesn’t mean you have to in order to be a “photographer.”

By default if you make a photo… of anything, you are a photographer.  If someone seeks you out to photograph for them, you are a professional photographer.  No one needs photography.  The desire to create and express oneself is a need we all have.  I choose to express this through photography.  I hope you’ll join me.