Consciousness – the state of being aware of one’s surroundings, one’s self and the world.
It isn’t about the camera, the lens, or the technique you use. It has nothing to do with shooting like another photographer, copying a style, or being one of them. It has nothing to do with social networking, what is popular or what has been done before. It isn’t about following trends, shooting digital or shooting film. It has little to do with big prints or the number of pixels. It has nothing to do with the make or model of a camera, a type of lens, or a gadget used. It doesn’t matter about the kind of light you use, the type of tripod, or any accessory you might think cool. It is not about the things themselves. Photography isn’t about imaging subjects as objects or picturing objects as subjects.
Rear Window – © John Neel
Photography has everything to do with raising the consciousness of the viewer. It has to do with making an image that has a deeper meaning for those who will look and who attempt to comprehend what they see. It has to do with reading the subject for what else it is. It has to do with the other that the subject suggests. It has to do with seeing and interpretation.
What you use and how well you use it are secondary to what you are asking your viewers to see.
Photography is a puzzle of what is puzzling. The good ones make us think. Photography is what we use to clarify our perceptions of the world in which we live.
Photography is primarily about raising one’s own awareness and raising the awareness for others to see.
Great photography is about consciousness.
Great photography is about something bigger than the subject shown.
Great photography is about illumination.
Similar posts on LensGarden.com:
How to make a perfect Ansel Adams
Seeing the World as Sacred – As Miracle
Inspiration – Compassion…Yes!… This is about photography
“The Angel of Chance” and the Photograph
My latest book – Focus In Photography
Focus In Photography – by John Neel
I also cover many photographic topics and techniques in my first book – Great Photography book for any creative Photographer.
Rethinking Digital Photography – John Neel
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John, You serve your fellow photographers in posting this reminder. Appropriate to pause and reflect. For me, the making often results from moments of pure fascination with an observation — visual, but often philosophical as well. Thank you for this.
Roger, Thank you for your insightful comment. I’m attempting to reach those who desire something more experiential, imaginative and intelligent from photography. As you know, the image can be much more powerful than many realize. User awareness is vital to the medium. So is the viewers. Thank you for your insightful comment. That’s why I do this blog.
Thank you for this, John — pertinent and insightful writing in a time when everyone’s got snake oil to sell to every wishful photographer.