Why Photography?

Leaving Bokeh Behind

Such a question I ask myself, now and again, as I look at the countless number of photographs I have on computer. I had to transfer many to disc the other day as I think my computer was complaining about the number! Over 3,000 went on disc to be stored away to probably never be looked at again!

I have to admit, I am guilty of the crime ‘photograph hording’. No matter how I try I can never get rid of them. I come back from one of my sojourns, check my photographs and delete but a few blurry ones. I select a few for editing and the rest just get left (and put on disc at a later date) for me to never look at again! But, try as I might I can never press ‘delete’. Is this common theme for photograph-olics?

Anyway, back to the question I ask. Why photography? It is something I touched upon on my previous blog but I still come back to it and feel I need to explore some more! As I look at the photographs I display on Flickr I do ask why do I do it? I do enjoy taking photographs and it also means I get off the sofa and go out walking. I also enjoy editing and presenting the photos for others to see. But still some thing niggles at me and I ask why?

I enjoy receiving comments but it never fails to surprise me to see how one photograph I thought was ‘just OK’ receives a lot of positive comments whilst another I love doesn’t! Photography, so subjective! And again, still something niggles and I ask why?

I love and appreciate other people photographs and learn so much from them. But, just as I learn and enjoy seeing others works I can get disheartened as I see so many wonderful pieces of art and just know my work is what it is….raw, unfinished and, quite rightly so at this stage, amateurish. That said, that is how I like most things!!

Anyway, back to the question I still ask. Why do we do it? Why do you do it? I know for me it isn’t the money (I would never make any from this game!) or the fame (ditto!). Once I have completed a photograph and posted for others to see it is kind of ‘right, next one!’

It is strange, I shouldn’t really ask why? And just take it as art, a way of being creative and a way of showing part of myself that very often lies hidden. At work people are surprised when they see my photographs, possibly catching a glimpse of a person they never see. My family also appear surprised, maybe for the same reason. I am often surprised! I just see it as me pressing a button and ‘Hey Presto’. But I realise it is more about what we are seeing at that time and how we view the world differently from others, in other words, producing our unique art.

But once again, the whole process puzzles me and I am still left wondering why photography? What is it that captures mine, yours and others imagination? What is it that makes me look a photograph for ages ‘feeling’ the environment and the images? What is it that spurs us all on to take more shots? Stand knee deep in snow? Wriggle in the mud? Squat in a field? Just to get the shot?

Anyway..ideas on a postcard please!!

Ramblings of a newly devoted photography addict..

The Edge of the World

My foray into the world of photoblography (can this be a new word?) starts with my bewilderment of this pointy, clicking thing and an addiction that has ensued.

During the extremely winter weather period, I found myself in the local park, knee-deep in snow and braving windy, practically blizzard, conditions. I hardly noticed my hands turn red then blue as I began to shoot anything in sight. I wasn’t aware of how long I had been out there as I continued to click. Snow covered my lens, I was wet and insane but it didn’t matter! The addiction had taken hold. My partner had stayed at home and just shook his head as, what appeared to be a rather cold, wet snowman, entered the house with a look of glee and the uttering of “I got some GREAT shots” as I pushed him off the computer and hurriedly put the little card in it’s slot to check them out.

This is just one example of how much photography has grabbed me by the neck and wrenched me out to places during some of the most inclement weather. Without a camera I would in no way venture to such places and in no way leave the warmth and comfort of my bed. Other people must wonder 'What the heck is she doing??' as I amble down the street taking pictures of abandoned crisp packets and plastic cartons or lurch gracelessly around a field covered with knee-deep snow.

I find I want bigger and better with the camera as well. I run before I can walk! Last year I graduated from a small compact Samsung camera to a larger Fuji Finepix bridge camera. After only a few months I have moved on to a Sony Cybershot. I haven’t even picked this up yet but I find myself reading copious numbers of magazines, looking at fantastic works of photographic art that get me salivating over fancy SLR camera's, fancy lenses and words I have yet to understand. I wouldn’t know how to turn an SLR on yet ne’er mind use it but I WANT ONE!!

What is it that drives me on? Why this avid interest in setting up a shot and clicking? Why does it drive me to such places in such weather? I read an article the other week by Jane Brown the Observer Photographer (amongst many other photographic works). She was being interviewed when she showed the journalist to a room where some of her finest shots of famous people were and just said ‘But what is it all for?’ That is something I felt and asked myself on several occasions.

Sinead O'Connor by Jane Brown

Why have I got countless numbers of photographs on my computer (many that I won’t look at again!)? Why this continual quest? I know I won’t get fame from this art – it’s a very competitive business and some of the work out there is ASTOUNDING! I know I won’t get money. As much as I would like both! I know I am not up to standard but it is something I strive for. But why? To what end?

I look at the magazines and photographs on here and sometimes become inspired and other times disillusioned. How can I create such beauty like they have? How on earth can I get to that stage? Why do I want to!? Well, for now, I have decided it is just something I just enjoy. I have found something I am ‘in to’. I feel a sense of achievement when I take a photograph I, and if I am lucky,other people, enjoy.

I always wanted to be a creative person, to paint and draw, write poetry and do something as a form of creative expression. Circumstances and my rather working class upbringing always told me that I wasn’t good enough or an ‘arty’ person - 'Yer won't get neywhere paintin them there pitchures' or, as one technical drawing teacher said about my effort 'Ee lass, it looks like a spider drew them lines....'

An Illusion in Water

Times change and I now think photography allows me to become that person! To show what I enjoy and want to display creatively. I feel that a photograph says much about the photographer as the subject being captured and I like that idea. I love the feeling of capturing a moment in time, of knowing your photographs will be very different to mine. Or looking at a photograph and just ‘feeling’ it (I can’t think of any better way to describe it!). I suppose that’s the answer to my own question ‘what’s it all for?’ How about you!?

Glastonbury Blessings!

Lily-Wren

Waiting for Summer

Poppies, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Poppies

I took this last summer. Too much grey, snow and cold around at the moment has me anticipating spring with much excitement. That is if we get spring in these parts

Blessings
:)

self

self, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

Self portrait with a few tweeks and punches...

An illusion in water

An illusion in water, originally uploaded by Lily-Wren.

One of my recent photographs. Practically taken 'as is' - it was very foggy, atmospheric and eerie!

Photography and me..

First apologies for anything Blogger does to the settings when I actually publish this blog. It still drives me mad and after all this time I would have thought Blogger could become more intuitive. Anyway, enough ranting. Onto my blog!

Yep, I have caught the bug! I am now officially mad about taking photographs. Well, I have been for sometime but it waxed and waned. But something happened when the snow came down, I became a demon with a camera. Out in snow storms, snow capped lenses, wet boots and a snowy nose!

It has just caught my imagination, sucked me in and now I am at the stage where I am buying a couple of Camera magazines a week. What is it about those magazines though?? I love reading them and getting tips and so forth, but now and again, I am left with of feeling of disillusionment, quite often because there are so many wonderful photographers and a feeling I could never match that, but also a feeling of 'Why?'..'What for?' and 'What on earth is it all about?' Why do I get so much enjoyment in getting my camera out, heading somewhere for a morning and snapping?

I read an interview with Jane Brown, a renowned photographer, in one of said magazines. She was showing the interviewer around her home and came to a room where a lot of her famous photographs were on the wall. She sighed and just turned to the interviewer and said she wondered what is was all about though. At that moment I knew what she meant!

Anyway, that aside, I do enjoy taking photographs and looking at them. I could gaze at snaps on Flickr for hours on end, and often do! Very often, photographs will stir emotions in me, an sometimes (call me insane?) I actually think I can taste, smell or feel what the photographs are conveying. I also feel that a photograph says so much more about the photographer than the subject being photographed.

It is a very creative force, much like art, writing, music and poetry. Each picture revealing something of the person who captured it. I suppose in saying this I have answered my own question! I think that is what I get out of it. I have always wanted to be 'creative' but felt I have never quite managed it. With photography I suppose I am working towards that way of showing myself through creativity. Possibly.

That said, I do wonder what some of the photographs I have taken say about me!! No, don't tell me!!

Next venture is a new camera! I currently use a Fuji Finepix s8000fd. Not quite an SLR yet (money won't allow) and the next camera I am getting is a Sony Cybershot F828 so I am hoping this has a super duper function that can help create better than ever photographs!!

Blessings!

:)

The Intertwined Minds

Here is a poem I wrote a good couple of years ago now. It speaks of soul mates and how I felt when I met mine :)

The Intertwined Minds

Think as one,
they seek and find,
the greater sum.

Of all parts known,
and all that's created,
a psychic connection,
a love that is sated.

The distance,
the space,
the time,
and a place.

Both came together,
In one long embrace.

The Intertwined Minds,
joined old moons ago,
and from that time forward,
have always been so.

The softest of touches.
The lightest of breaths.
The barest of whipers.
The gentlest caress.

The intertwined minds,
need not to feel these,
no physical senses,
the minds need to please.

The minds they do know,
they already see,
they already sense,
what is meant to be.

The intertwined minds,
need not to speak out,
just transfer a thought,
that removes any doubt.

The joining of minds,
and linking of souls,
the sensing of thought,
A connection that grows.

The intertwined minds,
are thinking as one,
seeking and finding,
the greater sum.

~~~~~~~~~~

Lily-Wren 2007