This is very soul wrenching insightful foray into the passionate mind of a true artist. I'm not sure that you can actually execute the choice you propose. Despite any conscious decision to take one path or the other, you can't turn off the part of your brain that has become passionate about either discipline. In fact, I believe both passions will suffer from such a mental split. You will be no less able to walk by a spectacular sunset without your camera than you will be able to walk away from a threat to the beloved places where you photograph those sunsets. You will be entwined in an internal ethical dilemma asking yourself 'what do I care more about?' I believe the answer is you care about both very deeply and both have been critical to the foundation of who you are as a person. Ansel Adams and Galen Rowell are famous because they were able to do both, and they gained additional respect in each discipline because of their ability to do both. They inspired the preservation of special places by seeing those places through the intimate eye of a photographer. And they were respected as photographers by their work to keep these places special for others to enjoy. If John Muir or Henry David Thoreau were alive today I'll bet they would carry a camera with them in the wilderness. If some ORV junkie refuses to buy your images because you work to protect the wild lands of Utah, well he's ultimate loser, isn't he? And as for the critics, we won't remember them in 10 years but their children may be greatful that Guy Tal lived on this earth at one time and worked hard to make sure they have pristine empty places where they can enrich their souls.
Posted by Larry Lynch on January 16, 2007 at 12:13 AM
Guy,
Well written article and thought provoking. I have dealt with these same self evaluations and soul searching during my life and like you have reached some conclusions. Like you I appreciate those who enjoy my work and still am grateful for those offer constructive criticism which can help me to improve. I try to filter those points which can offer positive points for improvement and realize there are those who offer negative comments as an abrasive point to look down on what you are offering or how you present it. As I approach the twilight of my life I take the position that I dont have time to let those negative factors make me change my path. I take the position that what I do brings me joy and is a reflection of my heart and spirit and who I am. If someone is in need I try to take the time to stop and offer help. If I take a photo and someone enjoys my work I take joy in sharing a part of me.
Know this, when I first joined NPN you were one of the first people who took a moment to offer help to get started. I haven't forgotten that and have been very appreciative. Not only that I look forward to seeing your excellent work and your love of what you do which is reflected in your images. If it brings you joy to do your photography and enviromental issues, go for it. Don't let the demands of either influence your joy and I know you will be effective in one or both. Forgive the remarks of an "olde buzzard" to speak off the cuff and I look forward to seeing future images from you. "Treat each moment as gold"
See what happens when you write such a thought provoking article. God Bless and take care. Larry
Posted by Leann Greene on January 16, 2007 at 4:00 AM
"We all know that a good person can be a bad artist.But no one will ever be a genuine artist unless he is a great human being and thus also a good one." Marc Chagall
Thanks for the great responses! I appreciate the thoughts and the kind words.
John, it's funny that you mention optimism. Here's a snippet from an exchange I recently had with a fellow photographer on this same topic:
"I guess in a way I have come to realize I'm personally not a very good
activist. This is not to say I'm not passionate about the things I
believe in, just that I'm not good at negotiating and "selling" them in
a way that leads to real change. I'm more of a doer than a proselytizer
and find it very hard to compromise. I'm also a notorious pessimist"
This exchange also helped me realize that I was really referring to more political or militant forms of activism and that whether I am conscious of it or not, activism is always an inherent part of my work and writing. Perhaps that is the true answer - focus on the activity I'm better at, and it may carry the message for me.
Guy
Posted by Jim Goldstein on January 18, 2007 at 1:57 PM
Interesting article Guy. From a marketing perspective keeping a neutral tone is never going to hurt. But in all honesty it depends who you're hoping to move with your work. If you're focusing on a niche audience the advocacy component might be well suited. From an artistic perspective the adage that "a photo is worth a 1000 words" goes even farther in todays world as a great photo will stir emotion of your viewer. When an image is crafted carefully it in itself can spur action by those that view it and in many instances that is the goal of many nature and wildlife photographers. I think many of us are drawn to photography not just because of our appreciation for beauty but because of our deep desire to see that beauty preserved for future generations. In that regard I don't see a conflict.
Discussion
5 repliesThis is very soul wrenching insightful foray into the passionate mind of a true artist. I'm not sure that you can actually execute the choice you propose. Despite any conscious decision to take one path or the other, you can't turn off the part of your brain that has become passionate about either discipline. In fact, I believe both passions will suffer from such a mental split. You will be no less able to walk by a spectacular sunset without your camera than you will be able to walk away from a threat to the beloved places where you photograph those sunsets. You will be entwined in an internal ethical dilemma asking yourself 'what do I care more about?' I believe the answer is you care about both very deeply and both have been critical to the foundation of who you are as a person. Ansel Adams and Galen Rowell are famous because they were able to do both, and they gained additional respect in each discipline because of their ability to do both. They inspired the preservation of special places by seeing those places through the intimate eye of a photographer. And they were respected as photographers by their work to keep these places special for others to enjoy. If John Muir or Henry David Thoreau were alive today I'll bet they would carry a camera with them in the wilderness. If some ORV junkie refuses to buy your images because you work to protect the wild lands of Utah, well he's ultimate loser, isn't he? And as for the critics, we won't remember them in 10 years but their children may be greatful that Guy Tal lived on this earth at one time and worked hard to make sure they have pristine empty places where they can enrich their souls.
Well written article and thought provoking. I have dealt with these same self evaluations and soul searching during my life and like you have reached some conclusions. Like you I appreciate those who enjoy my work and still am grateful for those offer constructive criticism which can help me to improve. I try to filter those points which can offer positive points for improvement and realize there are those who offer negative comments as an abrasive point to look down on what you are offering or how you present it. As I approach the twilight of my life I take the position that I dont have time to let those negative factors make me change my path. I take the position that what I do brings me joy and is a reflection of my heart and spirit and who I am. If someone is in need I try to take the time to stop and offer help. If I take a photo and someone enjoys my work I take joy in sharing a part of me.
Know this, when I first joined NPN you were one of the first people who took a moment to offer help to get started. I haven't forgotten that and have been very appreciative. Not only that I look forward to seeing your excellent work and your love of what you do which is reflected in your images. If it brings you joy to do your photography and enviromental issues, go for it. Don't let the demands of either influence your joy and I know you will be effective in one or both. Forgive the remarks of an "olde buzzard" to speak off the cuff and I look forward to seeing future images from you. "Treat each moment as gold"
See what happens when you write such a thought provoking article.
Thanks for the great responses! I appreciate the thoughts and the kind words.
John, it's funny that you mention optimism. Here's a snippet from an exchange I recently had with a fellow photographer on this same topic:
"I guess in a way I have come to realize I'm personally not a very good
activist. This is not to say I'm not passionate about the things I
believe in, just that I'm not good at negotiating and "selling" them in
a way that leads to real change. I'm more of a doer than a proselytizer
and find it very hard to compromise. I'm also a notorious pessimist"
This exchange also helped me realize that I was really referring to more political or militant forms of activism and that whether I am conscious of it or not, activism is always an inherent part of my work and writing. Perhaps that is the true answer - focus on the activity I'm better at, and it may carry the message for me.
Guy