Inspiration

How should I (or, for that matter, even should I) explore my inspiration? Here is my example: I absolutely love photographing old boats, working waterfronts and in particular, fishing villages. I love the sights, sounds and smells of fishing docks and can spend all day wandering around photographing and talking with the fishermen (when they have the time). The thing is – I'm not sure why I am drawn to these subjects. I have tremendous respect for their professions and livelihood, but I would never want to become a commercial fisherman. So, would exploring the reasons why I am drawn to them improve my photographs or more importantly my photographic experience?  And if so, how does one explore his/her own inspirations?

— Dan Kehlenbach

   

At the risk of sounding flippant, why would you want to photograph something in which you have no interest whatsoever?

A few random thoughts . . .

• If it bores you, it will likely lead to boring photographs.
• Curiosity is more important than a new lens.
• Photography is more about questions than answers.
• A camera is one of the best excuses to poke around somewhere that is often off limits.
• More often than not, people will be flattered that you are interested in them.
• Why you are interested in something is less important than the fact that you are.
• Be careful of excessive introspection. Just do the photography and let the self-analysis arise later, naturally, if at all.
• The best photography is not about you; it's about what it is you are photographing. You might actually be the subject, but why should we think others would be interested in our self-examination through our artwork? Photography-as-therapy often leads to bad photography and ineffective therapy.
• You will likely make better photographs if you know as much as you can about the subject — often before you pick up the camera. It is your curiosity that will propel you to learn and do the important research.
• The phrase "my photographic experience" catches my attention. Remember, as an artist, you are a conduit, not an objective. There is a lot to be gained by giving yourself to a project and letting go of the personal, experiential part of the process. A friend of mine is fond of saying, "Do not speak unless spoke through." Become transparent. Like your lens. Your job is to gather, focus, and let the story pass through you, not to clutch and accumulate hedonistically. This often happens, but it's a perk, not an objective.
• You mention "sights, sounds and smells" — which are a clue to your interest. It's not just visual, but sensual. This is a good place to start.
• You also mention "talking with the fishermen" — which is an aural and intellectual process, not a visual one. Stories, stories, and stories. This is also a good place to start.
• That you don't want to become a fisherman is unimportant. That you want to tell their story is.
• Inspiration is a tricky word. It always brings to mind some sort of muse arising from the wispy vapors of the unknown. In my experience, curiosity is a better source of photographic motivation and momentum. Leave the wispy stuff to the theoreticians in art.

Does any of this help?

Comments

[Dan Kehlenbach]

Mr. Jensen,

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. This certainly does help, and perhaps I have been looking too much into it. I guess the important things are that I indeed have a passion for this particular subject, want to tell their story, and have a lot of fun photographing it!

Very Respectfully,
Dan Kehlenbach

[Daniel Seurer]

An excellent post.

It got me thinking about why I recently started a new photo project and how I can keep it going. Coincidently the project involved fishing--in my case ice fisherman.

The project started as a way to motivate myself to get out of the house, and to practice shooting people (not a forte of mine), and working with fill flash. All nice things, but not very inspirational.

Reading this post got me thinking. I really enjoy talking to the people I meet out on the ice. I have just started wondering about why they ice fish, and am now inspired to use my photography to help tell the story of why these brave souls subject themselves to such brutal weather conditions.

Only time will tell if I am successful, but I am sure it will be enjoyable, if not warm.