The 2-Consider column this week is a little bit different than usual. Why? Because this week, two of the most important blog posts to my photography were in video form and not a written article. So, for the first time, our 2-Consider has two videos instead something to read about. They will probably be a little more “fun” to follow this time (make sure to let me know). Anyway, there’s also a short, very incredible article from Kirk Tuck.

These two videos contain some really powerful “thoughts” for photographers, and cover two different aspects of our craft. One of them is about creativity and gear. The other one is more about vision, talent, and “shooting from the heart”. I will explain you why I have chosen these articles and how I think you and your work can use them. The third article from Kirk is about “living your dream”, and Identity. Let’s start!

1. How Photography Can Make a Difference – Jen Lemen

I found this video after following a tweet from Erin Wilson, one of the most avid “commenters” on this blog, and a great photographer as well. This video is about 8 minutes long and I totally recommended it to you. I think it’s a good reminder of the following things: (Please see the video before reading my comments)

Answer this question. How can an “inexpert” photographer win a competition among 2500 other photographers? How can a novice, an “amateur” photographer, shooting in “program mode” defeat a Pulitzer prize winner?
My answer? Jen Lemen won that contest by “shooting from her heart.” I know, contests are subjective, tricky, and depend a lot on the judges’ moods. But again, how can you get noticed in a contest as big as this one?

Last year a friend, who is just starting out in photography, asked me if I thought he could win a National Geographic contest. My answer? “No. I don’t think so.” Why in the world did I answer that? I know I’m a bad person for that, and I regret that answer today. But I think I answered that way because we are taught to consider photography as a mere science. Where, if you do this, plus if you add that, then the result will be x; like a mathematical formula. No heart, plain exercise, only a physical thing. Let me be fair on this, not all the people out there are teaching that way, but a large amount. So, what do I think now? That my friend, me or you can win any competition, any day… but there’s a great ingredient, vision, desire for finding who we are as photographers and shooting with that passion in mind, giving all what we are in each frame.

The other important part of this video, at least for me (you can add your own comments) is about the title of the link, and I’m going to transform it into a question, “How Can Photography Make A Difference?”
I think, what gave Jen the edge in that competition, was how she felt about photography and her intention towards the prize if she would win it. The photographs that you see in the video speak by themselves. She is telling stories of other human beings, now affected positively by her photographs. Guys and Pals, that’s what a Humanitarian photographer is about! It’s not a photographer shooting for NGOs or non-profits, it’s a photographer committed to using his/her photography to positively affect the lives of other human beings, specifically the ones who are the subjects of their photographs. GREAT reminder!

I’m grateful to have found this video, so, thank you Erin for bringing it to our attention!
I know you have more comments on this video, so please leave a comment with your opinion.

2. In the Bag, with photographer David Burnett

I found this video through Photoshelter, more specifically in their blog. I thought, “well… another video about gear and that type of stuff.” I know, gear is not a sin… actually it’s good, but vision…. you know the rest of that sentence!

In The Bag with photographer David Burnett from PhotoShelter.com on Vimeo.

My surprise was to find other things about David’s photography that really “touched” me as an artist, and as a photographer. So, let me put my thoughts in order through the following list:

a) Shoot what really ignites your passion; what makes you a creative person, an artist. How many photographers have dumped old gear because it doesn’t turn in sales these days? How many have abandoned old gear because of laziness? I’m not against technology, not at all! But, there’s a rush, an instant thing that’s part of it, that doesn’t allow us to get out all what we are capable of. Photographers, in my opinion, are primary artists, creators, and so if we don’t take the necessary time to be creative, to go through the process of slowing down to think, to get the mojo, the mood, the inspiration and so on, What in the world are we doing? What’s more impotent than that?

b) The GEAR doesn’t matter. Those are tools; we are the authors, the mind behind the photographs. Did you see how David doesn’t care to have the latest or the greatest. He’s got 2 Mark 5D’s! People are dumping those nowadays to get the Mark 5D II. Why? I know – there are good reasons for it. I’m not criticizing your decision, . Rather, what I’m saying is, if you cannot afford new gear DON’T BE WORRIED, go out and shoot with what you happen to have. Your photography don’t depend on the camera, but in you!

c) Contrary to what people teach and think, the industry pays, yes, pays for YOUR vision, if you happen to have one! Time Magazine hired David because “they couldn’t afford NOT to have his photography.” Do you think that after they saw his amazing work, they were worried about what type of gear he used? They cared about the artist behind those shots, the mind, his vision!

d) Using old-fashioned gear requires dedication, time, slowing down, investing yourself in it. Don’t start buying old gear thinking that you will get amazing jobs because of that cool “status”. You will get those assignments ONLY if you are able to pull off worthy results. The key is devotion to your passion, devotion to your craft – stick to and love what you are, your identity as an artist is fundamental.

Feel free to leave your comments on this video as well.

3. “In Defense Of Doing Things Exactly the Way You Want To,” by Kirk Tuck.

Wow, I didn’t do this on purpose, but I think the three articles today have something in common. They talk about your identity as a photographer and artist; who you are, what’s your vision, the “heart” for what you do. Kirk, in this article, reminds us that we cannot follow all the advice given to us. If you live according to what other people say, you will end up living another person’s life, another person’s dream. If you want to be unique, to be truly yourself, you have to decide for yourself what’s best for your photography. Life is short, so you’d better hurry up in finding a purpose, and answer the important questions about your own existence as an artist. Once you have a clue of who you are, do what you have to do, and not something else. This article struck me really hard, as I am in the middle of a time of adjustment, discovery, and decision making, trying to live the life that I was meant to have.
I think we must go through these questions to really be able to contribute our skills to the world. We have to listen that “voice”, to understand who we are, and then live to make that a reality. Great article Kirk! A timeless one somehow…

Thank you for following another 2-Consider. I hope to have contributed a little bit to your work today.
Peace.