Final conclusion and feed back

The Art of photography.  http://www.photographergarybridger.com

My Conclusion:

 I had just started to get into the swing of this course. The path to learning methods and the way a photograph reads, has certainly been an experience. 

How I feel about my accomplishments is open to thought. I feel that my approach given time , could have had a more simple artistic out come.   

Other than what I have produced for the exercises: The main assignments  are showing work that I have taken during my journey in the art of photography, Building on what I have been learning.  I have gathered so many photographs that I would like to show to the world.  

So many I am spoilt for choice to select from the fast amount.

In reading the book Oxford History of art. by Graham Clarke The photograph.

I was surprised what is referred to as art. 

With set backs of my job here in Sabah, and the effecting reality to what effects us in the world today. I have sacrificed much time to improving my skills and to gain expression.

Reading the book on the Oxford history of ART,  I found my self slowly unfolding what photography is really about.  Looking through his web site, I changed my views on the way I see the world, and the elements that are the make up the world we live in.
 As before, My approach to photography was more,get in close! make impact!  All very well to impress those who just snapped with a pocket range finder camera. 

Much has changed now. Digital is in full swing, especially now and the last past 2 years Cameras have leapt forward. What cannot be done through the lens can be in the digitally. 

Nevertheless, making that statement, I did find, that what Graham Clark has researched, opened my mind. I must say, the use of creative words had me struggle, keeping up with the book. A Note book and Dictionary helped me to understand the concept to what Graham Clark is telling us.  I went over page after page, to understand what exactly was to be portrayed. 
I am still reading this book now. Going over, to in bed, what truly is missing in to days photography, that we have lost.  

Mush of the photography to day, is a make up of what sells. Or is examined to be the goal of the avid photographer.
Other books I find easier to read, like Tom Ang. The Complete Photographer. These book teach you how, but not how to look for that magic that brings all what this course has to offer.
 However. Still missing is the individuality. The DNA, that marks ones work, as the imprint that I have taken the photograph. Am I looking to far? Or is my refection fooling me? Stile is hard to find now. with so many photographers trying to prove them selves. 

Taking photographs is to day a past time for everyone. Here in Asia I see so many people with SLR cameras. Some of such high specification, Most just like to say “ I own top gear” But do they know how to use that tool. 

Photography in the commercial world, also has to make a statement. Wether it has been taken with a large format for vogue, Time, or even, travel photography, with National Geographic.  Even those photographs are not Technically perfect. But are for good reason sound images that speak for them selves. They can be blurred or unsharp. there is a reason or something seen it the image, that makes the image say something. 

How many times have you been given photographs to look at. And with lack of interest, gone through them, like a pack of cards. 

When I am given photos,   Those family, or holiday snaps. I go through them looking to see how I would take or what may come from them if I had the camera in my hands.  To often one gets involved to capture what they sees. I still have to think, when looking through the lens, to focus on more than just the subject. This is when I found looking back on my photography. Many times I wish I took more thought to just move the camera to one side. 

One can eat  food and look for more. You can you understand the reason to why you like that food so much? And what went into it to impress you. Like listening to music. Amongst all the clutter, the classical mess that music has become. One out of so many  songs, tunes, will make you want to hear that one, thats so unique  again and again. And it will become famous. 

Photography is much the same.
 I wanted to express and be more creative.  In what I have undergone here, is much to what I, as a photographer have avoided, 

Let me explain:  

When I was in full time photography, I felt trapped to explore what I wanted to photograph, and how a photograph inspires my self and others. 

Although this course pushed me to explore and discover my approach. I still feel something lacking. 

That special something. 

 As Graham Clark emphasises: A picture just on its own, like the twins, Cuts off much to what the mind can wonder. One just sees two girls side by side. Its not until you look closer, do you find something els. 

A photograph may have a key to unlock the imagination. Also, other photographs put together, can unlock the story that the photographer wants to portray. How much do you need to place or crate to express what you want to say?

Sadly most have become lured into the digital perfection.  Looking for the sharpest detail in the image, like modern life.
We lose who we are, and lose culture. The very reason photography is meant to record, what may not be here tomorrow. 

Many photographers have forgotten to capture what is meant to be told, and focus on what geeks would look at to accept as a technically good photographs. 

Grain and Noise, so what if it captured the moment and paints the mood? Art is meant to be admired from a far. And not examined under a magnifying glass. It’s what the image tells the person. 

Today' I wonder with HD TV now 3D and 3D cameras, how much can the eyes take to the brain to analyse.
What do we honestly relate to in quality. An image may be perfectly sharp, and focussed, well exposed. If the image lacks to say something, then its just an image. And nothing more. 

Moving pictures are of short term impact. The mind soon learns to filter out what it does not need to see. Where a still photograph imprints itself or dismisses its self from the on looker. 

Therefore, the main image content, like a famous painting, will pull you in.
To stop the passers by, of those who appreciate the life that surrounds them. 

Those who appreciate art, photography, and the makeup of the world around them.
They most certainly will have life meaning. 

Observation is the key word here. Without it we are just snappers. Observation, creativity. What is there? and the reason for being? Like life it self. 

Relating to this:  I have taken a closer look at photography to day. What sells and  what does not.
I feel more like a learner still. Looking at some of the work on Getty images, and I stock photo. We find a jungle of standards, Styles yet to be explored.
Standards are high. Yes! some of the advertising photos can be so simple, yet they have a statement. I have giving this a try with photostockplus.com 

Still I have not found that something in my work. That I can hang and say" I am content." What is it I am looking for? 

I feel that some how digital photography and the instant play back of images has stolen that glory. 

I have so many photographs now. Perhaps 30,000 or so. Yet so few have I had in print. They seem meaningless. 

Before digital: That carful exposure with the light metre; Setting up: loading the film. The shoot and the magic of the waiting: That wait gave time to contemplate on the moment, to take in the set: the scene. When the prints came back, and an enlargement made. That moment all came back. Somehow digital makes it all to easy. Yet harder to impress! And time lost in processing. 

Finally I ask my self.
When will that moment become evident.  To crate a photograph is much like a chef cooking a meal. To cook it your self , you soon lose your appetite. Especially when you have to cook when not inspired. 

I am still waiting for the moment when everything comes together. When I can sit back and say." I love this photograph." As when I did back in the 80s. Although I have shown and learnt how to put together pictures. I am still yet to crate the master piece of fine art.

Finally for this part of my journey in discovering my self in the world of photography.

I at this time would like to ad, that not just still, movie also, I see more then just the film. I have done this for a long time, Films stimulate me as so does the still photograph. Like a good film. If it captures something that gives me good reason to watch or look at it, time and time again, Then its got that something special.
Sorry to many,words  to whom may find this statement conceited, To this I am saying that I do find emotional feeling when I relate to art. film , News, If I was asked what film I would reflect on as a work of art. I have to say the french Movie (Emalie) And if it were to be a photograph, Then , I have yet to find that photograph. One thing I find missing in my life, And this is where I wish I could attend collage or University in person, Is the lack of reaction to share comment, and stimulation in conversation about what we see and do with others.

So many to day, seem locked up in the jail of the rat race, of modern life, Or lack the awareness to appreciate the world around them. And the things that are left behind.
This is why I love photography so much. Its my escape!