Create is to bring something into existence
Photography to me is like creating a 3D piece of art in front of my eyes, and all I have to do is press click to make it still. I can tell a story by interacting with my subjects, making it exactly the way I want it, and styling it in the exact way I want it in!
To create is to bring something into existence. For a while I wondered if it was 'taking' a picture, or 'making' a picture.
Now I've come to a part in my career where I can truly say, yep, it's 'making' a picture. Recently I was interviewed by a young, rising writer, Ahmed Samir (see blog here) about some of the things I think of when I do photography. Honestly, I don't think.
His interview gave me a chance to step back, and analyse what I do. This does not by anyway mean that I excel in what I do, but it just means that it has become second nature to me after a few years of practice. This is why I have taken a moment today, to write a little bit about my steps in 'creating' a photo; or rather, making it!
- Start with a plan.
Know what you want. By all means, hack some ideas from the internet, make a mood board, re-create what you see until you create what is truly your own. You're going to be making mistakes, and that is only a good thing, to create. - Bring in elements.
Most of the times, you cannot do it by yourself. You need a team of talented and awe-inspiring people by your side who can envision your goals, or if not, add onto your creation. When you bring your elements together, you create. - Go shoot.
When you decide your look and your location and your model and your mood and your lighting patterns and your wardrobe, you can now go shoot. You can now create.
I know that I've pretty much simplified the longest process in Fashion Photography in mere 3 points, but I kid you not, the number of times I've complicated things when I held my day-time job... it's ridiculous!
Sometimes all it takes is to stop making excuses, and just head out and do it (no Nike placement here).
Just go create my fellow friends!