Salesman – © John Neel

“Artists sometimes claim that they work without thought of an audience—that they make pictures just for themselves. We are not deceived. The only reward worth that much effort is a response, and if no one pays attention, or if the artist cannot live on hope, then he or she is lost.” —‪#‎RobertAdams‬

While I like and respect Robert Adams, I believe most artists work out of a need to create. The audience is a thing that happens when the work resonates with others.

My job as a photographer is to see the world through a camera. The reward, is what I learn from that act. While hope is a part of the effort, the making of images is a way to grow self. The fact that an image-maker does not have an audience does not mean there is no value in observing life.

There is nothing wrong with an audience. But, putting stuff on line, in a book or in a gallery does not mean that you have anything to say. It also doesn’t mean that anything you do have to say has any value to anyone else.

Hope can simply be that you gain a new perspective on things by looking at the world through an open mind. If you have something to show the rest of the world, you should do it.  If anyone happens to see it – great. If anyone understands it – all the better. You can’t do much to make them like it or not.

When and if you want to share the who that you are, open-mindedness is a two way deal.

The goal of art is to make you think. For that, you just might be the only audience you need.

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