We are all potential artisans. I use the word artisan rather than artist because I am a blue collar, nuts and bolts kind of guy and I think artisan is best suited to me! Being an photographer has different artistic possibilities.
We could use photography to create “our” reflection of our environment, our life, a visual expression of the world around us. Or we could use it as a means of internal expression, to reflect our feelings, be it one’s hurts, one’s hopes, or one’s desires. For me photography is a visual manifestation, a means of reflection and expression!
So why am I a photographer? There are a variety of reasons. One is that I want to slow the world down. I want to pause and focus. It is something of a meditative process for me, like meditating on a mantra. I want to focus on a subject, single mindedly observing with all else temporarily forgotten.
Being “in the moment” is a healthy state of mind; it helps me relax and cope with the fast moving world around me. It also reaffirms that it is often the simpler things in life that are most important.
Secondly I just love nature. Never ceasing to be amazed and inspired by the Grand Lady herself. Perhaps most importantly nature reaffirms how lucky I am. Despite all my imperfections I am a part of all this beauty, all this possibility, all this hope, I too am nature!
Thirdly, it’s always exciting to discover new ways to be creative, learn new things about perspective, composition and lighting. Artistic outlet knows no bounds!
Lastly, it’s because of the surprises. I have, for almost 30 years taken long exposures of up to 6 hours and you can’t always predict exactly what will happen while your shutter is open; the world is on the move. A car or even an insect may pass through the frame.
My desire as a photographer is to capture the fleeting moments of a dynamic world as well as show my world from a unique perspective!
Links:
http://www.briancareyphotography.com
http://blog.briancareyphotography.com
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