“Whatever you’ve been in your life, you will bring it to your work. You cannot help but be who you are and who you’ve been.”
~Jay Maisel~
Hopefully some of you have had a chance to view “A Day with Jay Maisel“. The quote above is from the chapter titled “Lunch Part 3” and is one that resonated with me on a number of levels. Here’s another quote–”Do not internalize the industrial world. You are not one of the myriad of interchangeable pieces, but a unique human being, and if you’ve got something to say, say it, and think well of yourself while you’re learning to say it better.” This David Mamet quote is from Seth Godin’s book “Linchpin” recently given to me by my good friend David W. I wanted to share these quotes because Ray and I were discussing the response to Jay’s video and realizing that some might take away the wrong message. I also feel I might have inadvertently contributed to this in my post on Monday.
The point I’d like to make is this. There is a temptation to take a shortcut to create better photographs. I know because I’m guilty of it. The problem is that this just leads to more generic images, poor imitations of the real thing. After reflecting on my last blooper post, I realized that this was one of my issues. We are, each of us, unique individuals and as much as the world wants to make us a cog in the wheel, our photographic soul will beg to break free. I now understand that it is alright–and even artistically important–to stumble through this journey to make it our own. The world doesn’t need nor want another Jay Maisel; there is already a perfect original. There is also a rather imperfect original of me and that’s okay. The way towards a less imperfect version is not through a 70-300mm lens but through what makes me unique. My past, what’s in my heart now, and what lies ahead for me. Pretty exciting, eh?
At the risk of repeating myself… It’s the journey! We need to stop looking at, and craving for, the destination. We need to stop right where we are (metaphorically; don’t stop in the middle of traffic!)… look, watch, see… absorb, understand… interpret, create… then we can take another step… in whatever direction we like. It doesn’t have to be forward! Backwards is as good a choice. As is sideways.
We’re so obsessed with being who we hope to be that we sometimes forget to be who we are.
You can repeat without risking anything, Jeffrey–at least from my perspective. I heard once that we need to hear something 7 to 8 times before we actually get it. Each time I hear you say it, you add a little something that makes it clearer for me. And today it’s your last line. Whatever you say, you always say it so well. Thank you!
I believe imitation has its place in the journey. In that, when trying to imitate a particular photo, or style, we learn something new about craft and concept. For some people, this is a way of discovering new possibilities that help in finding/broadening their own vision.
It was Henri Cartier-Bresson that said “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst” so there’s hope for all of us yet. In March I had the honour of participating in a workshop with Trent Parke, another Magnum photographer. A memorable phrase of his was “Shoot the sh*t out of it”, and he freely admitted to having shot (and by association, still shooting) a lot of aforementioned crap. When coaching me on how to develop and expand my take on a chosen subject, he inadvertently turned to other photographers’ work to show, not the result, but the other visual/mental concepts I could work with. It was a simple, but bloody important lesson for me.
I guess working towards any creative endeavour, we’re bound to produce a lot of rubbish to get to the jewels, but that’s a pleasure of the journey. No great success without great failure.
Oooh and I came across this quote yesterday that made me think I should stop dithering and making excuses for being shy/guilty about not working harder on my stuff:
“Most things in life are moments of pleasure and a lifetime of embarrassment; photography is a moment of embarrassment and a lifetime of pleasure.” – Tony Benn
Sorry about the novel in your comments box. Didn’t really intend to write quite so much!
Love the quote from Tony Benn, Charlene!
When I first read about your workshop with Trent Parke, I was quite interested to hear more about it so I don’t mind the novel at all. I was concerned that people would take the Jay Maisel video too literally when instead the real treasure was in what he had to say–at least it was for me. It was almost as if I had been given permission to be me. Hope that makes sense but at any rate, it will be something I will explore further so stay tuned
Jeffrey I also like your quote “We’re so obsessed with being who we hope to be that we sometimes forget to be who we are.” I have trouble being still and tend to fly off in all directions. My friend Carol used to say about a feeling – ‘just sink into it’ and that’s helpful when I think about photography. Sinking into something means I can experience (and maybe see) in a deeper and more interesting/meaningful way. I love your posts Sabrina and the discussion that follow them adds to the experience.
Maureen, maybe flying off in all directions is right for you. If so, then don’t fight it. You can’t dress a hunter up like a farmer and expect bountiful crops!
Jeffrey, I suggest a book of your quotes with your lovely photographs. Your farmer/hunter comment had me rolling on the floor!
Good thoughts Jeffrey but I do get better photos when I am standing still. In fact my life improves when I slow down a little – then distractions seem to recede. I will always fly off in some directions but would like to fly in a glider not a jet…
Thanks Maureen for dropping by for lunch
I think one of these days you and I will have to join a Chapman/duChemin workshop so we can do a real lunch time talk.
And sorry but I just can’t imagine you standing still. It’s just not you!
You keep hitting it out of the park, Sabrina. I’m going to be thinking about this wisdom for a while.
“Whatever you’ve been in your life, you will bring it to your work. You cannot help but be who you are and who you’ve been.” So glad you picked out this quote. Looking at it again, I can’t help thinking that approaching it from the other side is equally true… what a shame to not be intention with our own life experience, to waste what we could explore more fully. Sometimes I’m so caught in envy of other’s experiences (yes, sad but true) that I fail to wring the most out of what is mine.
Thank you.
Thanks Erin! There were so many pearls of wisdom in that video. I’m going to sit down and watch it again and this time make notes.
I think it’s human to look at others and let our mind wander down the road of envy, so don’t beat yourself up. As I mentioned in my reply to Charlene earlier, I realized being me is ok too. And Jeffrey’s comment about forgetting who we are was right on the money for me too. And I think what the world wants to see in your images is you being you
Imitation occupies a definite place in the learning process, but if that’s all one’s photographs ever are, then they’re likely to lack passion and emotion. Copying another photographer in order to learn a particular technique can be useful as long as you can then take that technique and put your own spin on it. IMO.
For sure you can copy a technique (craft) but if we never bring who we are to our work, we may never reach our potential as artists. I think we are essentially saying the same thing. Putting your own spin on something is good but I think understanding where that spin comes from can help us create even deeper, more compelling images.
Lunch wile on a w/s with David and Jeffry would be excellent!
I’m not sure when I wanted fish this early in the morning!