With apologies to “you know who” for today’s title but this one has been playing in my head for a long time and after my weekend with Ray Ketcham, I think it’s time to put it out there. As you might have heard, this past weekend I travelled down to somewhere between Sequim and Port Townsend, Washington to spend some dedicated time with Ray, who started out as an acquaintance on Twitter, became one of my photography mentors, and is now also a beloved friend. We talked about art, photography, integrity, values, ideas, work, plans, projects and I can’t even remember all the other things because after one o’clock in the morning everything seemed to blur together. The next morning I was chatting with Ray’s lovely wife Diane who was making us breakfast when he walked into the room and said: “I’m thinking…” As our friend Matthew Connors pointed out, not even a “Good Morning”! Needless to say, it was an intense weekend.
One of the things Ray and I discussed was my growth as a photographer. I won’t go into all the details, mostly because I can’t. The discussion is far too fresh in my mind for me to even verbalize let alone write it down to share with everyone but I promise it will come, all in good time. The thing that struck me as I was driving home was that I did not make a single photograph the entire time and yet I left more confident that I can make better photographs. I’m sure you are thinking “Well, that’s quite a claim she’s making” and yes, it is rather brazen of me to say but this assurance comes from my progress over the past few months rather than from any non-existent talent I have for fortune-telling.
So here it is. One thing that has helped me to make better photographs: Self-awareness.
A while ago Jeffrey Chapman left a comment on my blog that has stayed with me: “More than finding a niche, one has to find oneself.” I don’t think I would have ever got off the proverbial couch if I didn’t set aside time to know if I am the person I need to be to make this dream happen. If I want to create photographs that will resonate with people because when they look at them, they understand what I’m saying, I had better understand myself first. I know a few photographers who want to be different, to stand out from the crowd. I get that but to me wanting to be different without knowing what makes you unique is a bit like chasing your tail. If you want to be unique, look inside deep inside and be truthful with yourself and you will find the answer. At times that hasn’t been easy for me but it has never without reward and for that reason alone, it has become an ongoing part of my process of making images.
Many people have said that experience is a great teacher, something akin to putting in your 10,000 hours or your first 10,000 frames. I think that’s only partially true. If we do not take the time to evaluate our experiences, they never quite reach their potential to transform us into better photographers. I don’t mean looking at your images and seeing if you used the right aperture, shutter speed, point of view, lens, etc for what you are trying to communicate. I mean spending time with your images and using them as a reflecting tool. (I will concede that for this you need a camera to at least make the photographs.) What do they say about you as a person and can you learn any lessons from them?
It’s easy to want to take the shortcut on self-awareness. Spend a little bit of time, don’t dig too deep, and you think you know yourself. But for me one of the best rewards I’ve gained by spending time becoming more aware of who I am on an ongoing basis is that it feeds my work. Fuel on the inside results in growth on the outside. While I hesitate to suggest this, go back to my earlier blog posts. Look at the photographs I was making back then and read how I was approaching my learning. I hope you’ll agree that both my images and my writing have improved. One of the main reasons is that this has been a voyage of self-discovery and what’s wonderful about that is there’s always room for more growth, which means more images to be made and hopefully much better ones.
Each of us has to be responsible for our own growth as a photographer. I could go and read all the books and blogs out there to find out what to do next but there is no map for this journey. Both Ray and Jeffrey have talked to me about not having a map. In the beginning, I didn’t know how to venture out without an idea of where I was going. What I’ve come to realize is that the map that we think we need, exists within us. When we spend time learning who we are and who we are becoming, we do not need to rely on anyone else to point us in the direction we should go. Instead we draw upon ourselves to create our own unique road map to better photographs.
Here is one final thought. Conventional wisdom says that to be better, we need to work on our weaknesses so that they are no longer our weaknesses. Everything I’ve experienced in working with people has told me otherwise. I’ve worked with management teams where no amount of coaching has helped them except in cases where the person had a high degree of self-awareness. In fact it was a prerequisite for their personal change and growth. What is interesting is that when they figure out what their weaknesses are, they don’t spend time trying to fix them. Instead they find ways to manage their weaknesses and to do this they invariably use their strengths. That’s the value of self-awareness. For me as a photographer, self-discovery through self-knowing has helped me uncover weaknesses I thought were strengths and vice-versa. There’s no more proof of this than the number of images where I now include people. The aspects I thought were my weaknesses when it came to photographing people weren’t exactly as I understood them. Now that I more clearly know what they are, I can address them through the process by which I make images with people.
So there you have it. Five rather long points on self-awareness. I believe that if you want to make better photographs, you can do this without a camera. Being more self-aware, you can create work that is different and unique but the real value is that you will begin to create work that makes a difference.
Bravo! If “you know who” were here, he would link to this.
beautifully described; LOVE the quote from Jeffrey Chapman!
In my own journey I’ve found that some qualities I was told were weaknesses all my life, turned out to be MAJOR strengths and patterns of thinking. But you’re right, we have to develop a level of self awareness to figure it out.
Thanks for this, Sabrina.
Well it’s no rant, Anita but it will just have to do until “you know who” gets back. I’m glad that you’ve been able to see beyond what others have told you to uncover your strengths for yourself.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by PTG Canada, AndreaG and Stuart Sipahigil, Ray Ketcham. Ray Ketcham said: Insight on a lot of things New Post by @SabrinaHenry http://tinyurl.com/265eaeu [...]
Sabrina, well expressed. I’ve finding photos which resonate deeply within myself usually end up resonating with many others as well — it may be there is a measure of a common purity/truth about them or perhaps they tell a universal story. This connection between myself and some photos is an area of keen interest to me — the camera does indeed look both ways and so must we. Have a good week!
We have talk at some point Earl! I’ve been struggling with the whole resonating with me versus resonating with others bit. Maybe you’ll have some wisdom for me.
Great post Sabrina!!
Thanks Charlene…
Thought-provoking post. I think an awareness of what we are trying to achieve with a camera is important, and we never really understand that until we understand ourselves. The point about managing your weaknesses is so true!
I have to agree with you regarding the link between what we are trying to create and understanding ourselves. And it sounds like you’re doing well in the self-awareness department
Thanks for dropping by!
Wow, Sabrina. A lot to take in here. From what you describe of Ray, his philosophical demeanor, and your weekend, I think he rubbed off on you.
This is a thoughtful and thought provoking post and one that I can take to heart as I continue to hone my photography and attempt to discover inner photographic voice. Thanks for sharing. I’ll look forward to viewing some of the results from your brainstorming weekend.
Thanks for sharing.
Matthew, it’s a real treat to spend time with Ray. If you ever get a chance to meet him, you’ll know what I mean. Your ears were probably burning because you were a part of our conversation and we both hope you’ll be there in person one day.
Excellent post Sabrina. Well written, good points. I would agree with you and add that a nomadic life on the road showed me I knew very little about myself. After some months of finding my feet again I produced my best images ever! Love following your journey.
Oh Flemming, I just love what you’ve shared about your nomadic life. What an incredible opportunity to be on a voyage of self-discovery; I envy you (but in a good way)…
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by charlene, Ed Brydon. Ed Brydon said: Look within and become self aware. One way to become a better photographer, a thought-provoking post by @SabrinaHenry http://bit.ly/cRwVZI [...]
[...] post on his own struggles with creativity. The second was my friend Sabrina Henry’s post on her own creative weekend (in which she didn’t take a single picture) and her journey of [...]
Seriously. I need a meet up with you and Ray. Enough said.
Sue, you must meet Ray. You’d love him. He’s just like us…well sort of because there’s only one you..oxo
I’m not sure how long I’ve been following along on your blog but your writing and images are why I show up here. It’s impressive to me the quality of both as you have not been doing this that long. Good mentors are needed and you seem to have them in your life. You also have gifts within you that are surfacing and that’s a gift to us. Continue on, my friend.
Oh, and your insight, lessons learned and your willingness to share all of that helps each one us. So, thanks again!
I always enjoy it when you drop by Monte. Thanks for your kind words. I think I’m also improving because of the encouragement and support I receive from friends like you. Definitely I couldn’t do it without you all.
Sabrina,
I am enjoying riding along on this journey with you, and I am excited to see where it all leads you! I agree with Monte, your writing and your images stand out, which is especially impressive considering you have not been doing this long.
And, I want to meet Ray and Sue too – especially since I know they are both chocolate fiends!!!
Krista
p.s. I love the image at the top too!!
Thanks Roomie! I think you and Sue and Ray would be an extremely dangerous combination especially if you were to add chocolate to the mix.
Chocolate? did someone say…..
Hi Sabrina. I agree with everything you have said about the necessity of knowing oneself if one wants to take better pictures. I am glad that one of my photography friends sent me the link to this article and this blog. I will return to see what follows.
Hi there Robert, you’re welcome here anytime
Finally catching up.
Timing is an odd thing…
This is exactly what I needed to read.
I guess you already knew that
Thanks
I’m happy that we are in sync. That just happens with friends
Fantastic, Sabrina! This was something I really needed to read. I will come back to this entry and read it again. And maybe again. Thank you so much for sharing!
I’ll be here Preeti…not planning on going anywhere other than on this journey with people like you. Thanks for dropping by!
Sorry if I’m a bit late to the party here, but I’m just seeing this. (Was kind of busy elsewhere for a few weeks and am now playing catch-up.)
Sabrina, I wrote a really rough draft for a post a while ago on finding one’s niche. I can trash it. The wisdom that you share here of your own journey is far more compelling. This is great stuff. Really great stuff.
[...] post on his own struggles with creativity. The second was my friend Sabrina Henry’s post on her own creative weekend (in which she didn’t take a single picture) and her journey of [...]