THE EYE OF THE OBSERVER
Today with the new generation of photographers, we regularly hear the words 'inspiration' and 'influence'. How often do we actually pause to investigate the true meaning of these words and the context in which they are applied in regard to photography?
Now we live in the age of the ever continuing wheel of consumption, a hungry machine that pushes forward, consuming all in its path. Visually, seeking inspiration at the cost of ones own creative development.
The natural evolution of observation and technical experience is diluted. When really, there is no fast track, no one road that will lead you to 'knowing'.
“It’s a journey, a life.”
As a photographer it's a dedicated life filled with hours of silence, days of chaos and adventure, moments of observing, developing, experimenting and testing.
Ball Games with Mick Fanning & local children - Rwanda.
PRECIOUS MOMENTS
Embracing all who take photos. Joyfully, most people will take photos, snapshots of their lives, things they experience, events that occur - they all turn into wondrous memories because of the 'photo'. Some will even take photos on holidays, travel shots that capture good times - for enjoyment.
When time stands still - Centro Habana, Cuba
And then there's the 'photography' that I'm talking about. The life that is photography. Professional photographers see the world through a lens, composing, observing, living and doing life as a photographer. Following a true path of personal expression is often at the cost of all. This will ring loud for creatives all over the planet.
I place value on different things. For me I see photography and life as one, there is no separation - there is no separation.
“Life - Photography; there is no separation.”
Photography is a craft, and when beautifully developed through life it morphs into a raw expression. It's unspoken and results in exquisite moments of time, not a bastardised form of duplication.
INSPIRATION
I feel deeply inspired by the greats. Firstly being Henri Cartier-Bresson; he is, without a doubt one of the greatest minds in the world of photography. Deemed as the master of photojournalism, his candid street photography, his words, his expression are so very inspirational for me. But this inspiration doesn't mean I try to replicate his work. As a young photographer I found his work, approach and wisdoms opened my eyes to possibilities beyond what I could comprehend at the time.
He forms a league of masters who are teachers purely by living their example, leading the way by doing and sharing. Poetically communicating to the world through the medium of photography.
In the words of Henri Cartier-Bresson;
“I believe that, through the act of living, the discovery of oneself is made concurrently with the discovery of the world around us.”
To me, so to is the journey of photography and the parallel of life itself. Most recently, while exploring my photographic archives, it is that I can now see, over 40 years, how my journey has transpired. How my story telling has evolved and how differently I now see that world in which I live.
