Everyone has a camera these days. We have mighty tech in our pockets at all times. And pretty much anyone can take a picture without much effort. So what is a photographer? What sets them apart from the selfie bunch or someone who takes a lovely iphone picture of a sunset? I suggest it’s intent.
What was I thinking when I was taking this series of photographs of Milford Haven. I was thinking of history, of decline, of sadness, of neglect, of a dying way of life, of tourism and gentrification, of myself and where I fit in this landscape. Does any of this some across in the picture? I think some of it does. Or maybe I’m being pretentious and literally everyone with a camera is a photographer. I don’t think so but I could be wrong.
Why do I choose to document the things I do? I live in a beautiful ancient city so why shoot the urban decay or the “dirty” things. Actually, I do both. I’ve photographed the Parthenon many times. It’s always there. But what makes my heart beat a little quicker? What makes me breath a bit faster? The weird mannequin with a scythe in the shop window. The humble bench in sitting lopsided in the sun.
So what makes my different from anyone else with a camera? Absolutely nothing apart from intent. I have something to say and I have found a way to say it with photography. It doesn’t make me better, although I’ve spent many years learning and practicing and finding my style.
I find building websites and doing the social media thing really hard.
But photography is easy!
You capture what’s inside you well Cassi and intent means everything. Anyone can take a picture but photographers try to tell a story and I think you do that with your photos. But, I think anyone can be or become a photographer if the intent is there. Even from day 1, just got my camera, no idea what I’m doing but I’m going to figure it out. From that day, you are a photographer.
Thank you so much for visiting and reading. I totally agree. Intent is key. I never set out to actually be a photographer, it evolved. A slightly different story for me as I’m married to a professional photographer. It took me a long time to call myself one as I think of myself more as a storyteller who uses photography. But I do believe, if the intent is there, you can become whatever you want.