The Glory of Consistency
Following the last video essay by Faizal Wescott about his exhaustion of Photography. I would like to share his feelings about practicing through a thought’s proposition. It is the perfect time for me to admit that this quote reached me. Two weeks ago, I wrote about what I learnt from Dolorès Marat and this last Asian trip.
I spoke about emotions and feelings, about intensity and being yourself. It’s precisely that !
As novice photographers, we only experienced short term series. Matching pictures of any sort, framing, colours, type, or format.
But what if a photographer, who lived enough to think about a deep and personal philosophy linked by a practice, tried to take pictures to serve his purpose during decade ?
What would that be? I can even imagine that, let’s refer to the past to find examples :
Artists of Consistency :
These artists represent the perception of consistency, creating with their mind, far away limitations.
Sabine Weiss
Luigi Ghirri
Salvador Dalí
These guardians of our true love Photography and Painting wrote history and art for generations to come. We talk about a personal aesthetic and “Style” because our camera is a tool to express themselves. They found in Photography (or Painting) the true essence of their life, earring their heart.
Most of YouTube videos are stalking you about : “How to take the perfect shot” but they don’t mention for whom. Is this for you ? Is this really what you are inside, or is it about photographers you admire ?It’s exactly te same in instagram, we’ll talk about my favorite social media later…
Every names quoted are not here to copy them, there are the best of this medium because they dedicated their lives to offer their feelings on frame as a representation of : “Hey, this is what I really am inside.”
“A Photographer is an eye wide open person (he is a walking Buddah). He spends his time to observe the evidence.”
The last interview last week with Héloïse Barreau learned us that you have to let your intuition guide you. You can try every form of expression and mix them, or not. It’s up to you, just try. Following ideas creates experiences. This is why you are reading this blog right now by the way :)
The two last ingredients
All you need now is time. Let you time to explore who you are, two steps front, one step back. Analyse yourself at some points of your practice to understand what you want to tell. What inspires you in the world, enough to press the shutter again.
In photography, film rolls are perfect to associate cost and inspiration, every shot is a waste of money. You HAVE to think ! (Unless you’re rich…if you are, buy me an original print :p )
Let culture grow on you along the edges, through all books read, movies and videos watched, experiences, through life. And maybe one day you will able to share with the world your vision in the pure essence of yourself.
Don’t be hard with you, you’re new. Great things don’t rush.
DEFINITION OF CONSISTENT*
While “constant” implies an unchanging state, “consistent” refers to a condition that remains relatively stable over time, allowing for minor fluctuations within a defined range.