How has photography changed you?

[Gabe]

For many years now, I have said that photography has helped shape me into the person I am today. I've been thinking about this lately as I make a transition in my work from photojournalism to a return to fashion. I have to say that photography has really "expanded my horizons", as my mom used to say to my sister and I when we were kids, trying to get us to read more or take up a new interest.

How has photography changed you?

Here are a few items of note for myself:

1. Journalism has taught me a much higher tolerance of others. I now celebrate diversity in a way I never have before.

2. Working with models showed me that a woman's real beauty has nothing to do with facial features or a physical shape - I understood this by meeting a few girls who looked amazing but were quite empty on the inside. I've more to learn, though, as I'm still searching for the girl with both qualities.

3. Journalism made me realize that the camera is a great tool to make new friends, and to help bring out the best - or worst - in others. On a related note, working in news forced me to come out of the shy/antisocial shell I lived in for so long - you can't always get a good picture of a total stranger without initiating contact first.

4. Wildlife photography got me to prove to myself time and again that through a lot of self-discipline and perseverance, I can get the shot that I want.

5. The business of photography - and the vicious competition found in some fields - has brought out the aggressive nature needed to reach my goals..


I'm sure I'll think of others, but this should get things rolling...

[natatbeach]

Photography has made me:

Negatives--- more neurotic and unable to enjoy and event without trying to get the shot
more of a covetous person---always wanting more cameras, more lighting,
MORE MORE MORE coveting my neighbor's photo equpiment

Positives- less self centered and self focused. Hard to worry about what you look like when you're sprawled on the ground or in the mud for the shot. Difficult to look cool when your neighbor's look at you strange because you are sitting taking pics of yourself in the middle of the afternoon looking like Madonna and an old Vogue video lol

I've learned to take risk and laugh at my mistakes

I've learned to stop and appreciate the most miniscule of details and stop taking God for granted.

I've learned to be thankful that God created all these opportunities in nature for my enjoyment and that he didn't leave any detail untouched.

Good thread!

[mtbbrian]

Photography has brought me "out of my shell" so to speak anyway...
I have seen myself evolve as a person as I have looked over my photographs that I have taken over the past 19 years.
When I first began photography, I shot landscapes, nature scenes and found objects.
But then when I got into college, I began photographing people, portrait stuff at first and then more journalistic stuff where I had to walk up to people, photograph them and get some quick information from them for a caption.
So I had to be confident of myself and my photography, because I had to get the shot and get the information quickly and accurately.

Thanks for the great post!
Brian

[megan]

Let's see:

It's given me a path in life. I'm not saying that photography comes easy to me, but it's certainly natural to me, as opposed to me being a writer or a musician or fashion designer [other things I was considering pursuing when making the important college decision all those years ago.] I would struggle to be those things, whereas I feel that photography/art is my path.

And talk about diversity - well, last weekend's NYC gathering is the perfect indication of that! It has opened up my larger social circle to people outside of my set of friends.

It's also given me the excuse to travel [like I need one], and whilst travelling, go places and do things my normal cautious self would hesitate to do.

Megan

[aberna]

I never understood when I heard people talk about doing "exactly what they were meant to do..." or "in their zone..." or "this is what I was meant to do with my life..." or "feeling like everything is aligned when I'm doing - - -?" When I started with photography and writing then I understood what they meant. Nothing else matters at those moments when I'm doing either one...It has definitely changed me - and has given me a satisfaction that I now know is possible.


www.abernathypublishing.com

[Asylum Steve]

Well, ok, I suppose I should backtrack a bit...

My life as an artist has completely affected the way I view and interact with the world and people around me.

More often than not, my photography, whether it be my camera equipment when I'm out or on a shoot, or my studio as a setting to meet people, or showing my portfolio or work in venues or publications, has served as both a potent ice breaker wiith all kinds of people as well as a protective shield that has allowed me to overcome my natural shyness and solidary nature as a person.

Photography has been the connective force that has allowed my to converse on a simple human level with everyone from the most abject homeless person on the street to some of the biggest stars in sports, music, tv, and film. From incredibly powerful lawyers and politicians to death row inmates. From beautiful South Beach "glamazons" to Cuban and Haitian refugees spending their first hours on American soil...

Many, if not most of these people would have been extremely wary of me otherwise, and lacking any kind of photographic basis would have also meant a lack of a reason to be with them, and more importantly, a lack of the courage to interact with them...

Photography has given me confidence in myself as an observer and INTERPRETER of the human condition, whether that means the beautiful or the ugly or the good or the bad side of it, and everything in between. It has also shown me that there can be righteousness and honor in the poor, meek, and unknown, or sometimes a severe lack of it the rich, powerful, and famous. And vice versa. I've learned to become tolerant and understanding of many diverse groups of people...

Well, a'hem, getting back to women. Now, as naturally charming and funny as a I am (hope you got your boots on), photography has single-handedly given me the opportunity to meet and get to known men and women of all different shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds.

It is inevitable that some of these interactions turn into genuine friendships, and a common ground of art, photography, or fashion has (thankfully) given me the time it takes to get to truely get to know a woman behind an initial attraction.

That in turn, on that rare occasion, has allowed a friendship to blossom into a romance...

And THAT is what I mean when I say, "It's gotten me chicks..."

HAH! And you though this was going to be another one of my superficial, smartass posts...

[mtbbrian]

I am totally blown away there Steve...
I didn't think you were capable of such deep thoughts...

Very well put!
Brian

[Liz]

Wow Steve! What an excellent expression of how photography has changed your life.

I know you're an excellent writer as I've been impressed with some of your (mostly intellectual) posts in the past. Your ability to express yourself on a more personal level combined with your writing skills have made me feel I know you just a little better.

Thanks for sharing! Reading this gave me immense enjoyment!

Liz

Well, ok, I suppose I should backtrack a bit...

My life as an artist has completely affected the way I view and interact with the world and people around me.

More often than not, my photography, whether it be my camera equipment when I'm out or on a shoot, or my studio as a setting to meet people, or showing my portfolio or work in venues or publications, has served as both a potent ice breaker wiith all kinds of people as well as a protective shield that has allowed me to overcome my natural shyness and solidary nature as a person.

Photography has been the connective force that has allowed my to converse on a simple human level with everyone from the most abject homeless person on the street to some of the biggest stars in sports, music, tv, and film. From incredibly powerful lawyers and politicians to death row inmates. From beautiful South Beach "glamazons" to Cuban and Haitian refugees spending their first hours on American soil...

Many, if not most of these people would have been extremely wary of me otherwise, and lacking any kind of photographic basis would have also meant a lack of a reason to be with them, and more importantly, a lack of the courage to interact with them...

Photography has given me confidence in myself as an observer and INTERPRETER of the human condition, whether that means the beautiful or the ugly or the good or the bad side of it, and everything in between. It has also shown me that there can be righteousness and honor in the poor, meek, and unknown, or sometimes a severe lack of it the rich, powerful, and famous. And vice versa. I've learned to become tolerant and understanding of many diverse groups of people...

Well, a'hem, getting back to women. Now, as naturally charming and funny as a I am (hope you got your boots on), photography has single-handedly given me the opportunity to meet and get to known men and women of all different shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds.

It is inevitable that some of these interactions turn into genuine friendships, and a common ground of art, photography, or fashion has (thankfully) given me the time it takes to get to truely get to know a woman behind an initial attraction.

That in turn, on that rare occasion, has allowed a friendship to blossom into a romance...

And THAT is what I mean when I say, "It's gotten me chicks..."

HAH! And you though this was going to be another one of my superficial, smartass posts...

[Lionheart]

The main thing photography has done for me is help me see there is a hidden beauty in most things around us. Photography has forced me to learn to look for it through the viewfinder of the camera. This applies to all things in life. The ugliest personality has some good, some beauty or strength, if we just take the time to look, or have the patience to find it.

[walterick]

last weekend? (!)

[walterick]

I think I can mirror almost everything everyone here has said. Particularly the parts about getting to know people and have the courage to talk to people (like strangers, especially) that I normally wouldn't.

It's also taught me to see things - like lighting, contrast, shadows, compostions, and details - that I never looked at before.

It has given me another way to express my "soul."

It has beleagured me financially and I spend WAY TOO MUCH TIME on this site!

Heh heh but I wouldn't change a thing ;)

Nice posts guys

Rick

[Cowgirl]

WOW! Great topic!

Photography has helped me to enjoy life more - go exploring and absord the outdoors! Since I'm always at a desk, photography gets me outdoors, one on one with mother nature. Its rubbing off on my family too. My kids want to go exploring with me, we study animals & plants, and take some shots. Even my husband is starting to venture outdoors more. If I am frustrated at life/work/whatever, I find myself grabing a camera and going for a walk. We live out in the country, so its a nice & peaceful with lots of wildlife. Its great for you physically, photography is a healthy habit for the whole family.

I've met a lot of new people and have made many new friends that are in the art world because of photography. Photography is great for your social life!

I enjoy other art more since I have been studying photography. In the past I wouldn't really 'see' artwork. Now, I study artwork more and have a greater appreciation for it.

Mentally, it is such a great feeling when someone really likes and buys your work. Wether its a landscape, portrait, or wedding job, I'm on cloud 9 when they compliment my work. It really 'lifts' me!

Photography has helped me to live better, live well. In fact I like it so much that I am in the process of changing my career, I'm trying to get away from that darn desk!

Kathy

[megan]

When did we vote on that sexiest member prize?!

Okay - it was 2 weekends ago! I get confused sometimes!

Megan

[megan]

I was waiting for the post that said "It cahnged my bank account, man, before I was happy and now I spend all of my extra cash on xx lenses and yy software, and new zz..."


Megan

[Gabe]

Megan, I won't get rich off of it anytime soon, but I do make money from my photography on a fairly regular basis - just nowhere near enough of it to change my life! LOL

I'm reading every post that comes through, so please keep 'em coming This is really good stuff.

[megan]

Yup, I'm working on making $$ off mine too! Someday.

Megan

[walterick]

I did all the voting. You weren't allowed

[Charles Hess]

Some of you know about the "bad stuff" that has been in my life. That stuff has made me appreciate just how fragile life is, and that we should enjoy every moment, and enjoy interacting with our fellow human beings every chance we get. Because of that, I've felt the urge and need to capture life in its every form. Working with models has suffered in recent months, with all of my energy and free time going into walking the streets, just capturing those slices of life. And that seems to get me through the days, smiling as I go. :-)