Non-Photography Day
A British artist, Becca Bland, is promoting July 17 as a day without photography, Non-Photography Day. Basically, a day for photographers and others taking pictures to put down the camera and enjoy the experience.
More information at PDNOnline Here.
According to the PDN article, there has been the typical backlash, knee-jerk, reactions to this proposal by some who are encouraging people to take as many photos as possible on July 17.
The point of the exercise as I see it is not to banish photography, but to encourage people hampered by the camera cemented to their eyeballs to "take part" rather than "take apart" (my quotes). When we photograph, we do "take apart" a scene or an event, dividing it up into discrete, time-specific moments, isolated from the whole. We as photographers select which experiences we document, again isolating those experiences in ourselves without taking part in the whole. It's common to come away from an event and, especially talking in groups, not be familiar with what someone else is describing because we've been focused on only a small part, our vision and senses narrowed.
In one sense we can get into the mindset that as "the photographer" it's our job to document, not to experience or participate. If we don't come away with the essential images, our peers, our families and friends, will wonder if we're actually useful or as good as they (or we) claim. We have a reputation to uphold for ourselves and have a duty to uphold the reputation of others who sing our praises. If we aren't capturing the moment, our value is diminished. Being the one never in the picture is almost a badge of honor. Like a designated driver, as photographers we are the designated chronicler, responsible for creating long-lasting memories.
That said, putting down the camera occasionally, not just on a certain days (which makes the whole practice a bit artificial), helps us as photographers recharge. A photographer relies on his/her senses and experiences to help create and maintain their photographic vision. If your experiences are limited to those seen through a tiny glass window, your photographic creativity will eventually suffer. A person needs to participate, climb a mountain, sit quietly, party, dance like a wildman, walk in a parade, fly a kite, debate an issue, without capturing it for prosperity. It reconnects you to the world and gets you excited for the next time you pick up the camera.
So, putting down the camera is really a good thing. Maybe not for an entire day (but maybe so), certainly not just one day a year, but definitely on occasion. A few minutes here, an hour there, just put the machine down and look around, listen, feel, smell, taste. You might be surprised how inspired it makes you.
More information at PDNOnline Here.
According to the PDN article, there has been the typical backlash, knee-jerk, reactions to this proposal by some who are encouraging people to take as many photos as possible on July 17.
The point of the exercise as I see it is not to banish photography, but to encourage people hampered by the camera cemented to their eyeballs to "take part" rather than "take apart" (my quotes). When we photograph, we do "take apart" a scene or an event, dividing it up into discrete, time-specific moments, isolated from the whole. We as photographers select which experiences we document, again isolating those experiences in ourselves without taking part in the whole. It's common to come away from an event and, especially talking in groups, not be familiar with what someone else is describing because we've been focused on only a small part, our vision and senses narrowed.
In one sense we can get into the mindset that as "the photographer" it's our job to document, not to experience or participate. If we don't come away with the essential images, our peers, our families and friends, will wonder if we're actually useful or as good as they (or we) claim. We have a reputation to uphold for ourselves and have a duty to uphold the reputation of others who sing our praises. If we aren't capturing the moment, our value is diminished. Being the one never in the picture is almost a badge of honor. Like a designated driver, as photographers we are the designated chronicler, responsible for creating long-lasting memories.
That said, putting down the camera occasionally, not just on a certain days (which makes the whole practice a bit artificial), helps us as photographers recharge. A photographer relies on his/her senses and experiences to help create and maintain their photographic vision. If your experiences are limited to those seen through a tiny glass window, your photographic creativity will eventually suffer. A person needs to participate, climb a mountain, sit quietly, party, dance like a wildman, walk in a parade, fly a kite, debate an issue, without capturing it for prosperity. It reconnects you to the world and gets you excited for the next time you pick up the camera.
So, putting down the camera is really a good thing. Maybe not for an entire day (but maybe so), certainly not just one day a year, but definitely on occasion. A few minutes here, an hour there, just put the machine down and look around, listen, feel, smell, taste. You might be surprised how inspired it makes you.
posted by Mike Shipman | 11:46:00 AM
1 Comments:
Easy Photography Home Business! Earn $200+ Per Day Taking Simple Photos In Your Local Area!
to find out more, click here
Post a Comment
<< Home