"Why do people photograph?" Ask me, the reply would be simple. To capture the moment, the mood, presence and immortalize it. Although this to many of us is already good enough and a strong enough motivation to push them in their careers or if as a hobby, to even read more to understand it. To a few, there is a deeper meaning and cause to what they are doing. In the quest to answer questions, many would have found meaning to their lives and also the pictures that they take.
"At our best and most fortunate we make pictures because of what stands in front of the camera, to however what is greater and more interesting than we are. we never accomplish this perfectly, though in return we are given something perfect- a sense of inclusion. Our subject thus redefines us, and is par of the biography by which we want to be known."
From Why People Photograph
There are some things which helps in the photographer being able to do what he does, both material wise and also in the aspect of art. In the book, why people photograph, Robert Adams lists and elaborate some of them. And through them, I actually understand more about photographers, their art, and also issues facing them.
As I read I can only agree with him on the subject.
Art is based so much on our perspectives and ideas that there is limitless possibility of presenting it. However, this is also why, when the need arises, it is difficult to quantify and rate the worth of an art. At the same time, originality is a question as many art is often inspired by others, and not just from thin air. For some, this is what gives meaning to their art. I think it is impossible for the artist to work alone and makes reference to nothing but his own work. The art maker would of course be regularly seeking his counterparts' work, looking, seeing, learning and understanding them. Thus, many artists or photographers always had a few intimate friends to share and learn. As, the author says,"Your own photography is never enough." Where there is art, there is always a community, where everyone supports one another.
To some photographers, their art can be intoxication or a kind of quiet pleasure while others it can be a record of compassion , of shared suffering. There are also some who do not aim to make art but reporting that would move us. Some display their entire life with the pictures they take or even bring people on magical journeys that would not end. Many would aim to capture the atmosphere or mood at the time with their imagination. More often than not, there is always a bigger picture or a goal they hope to achieve in their mind as the shutters run.
I think people who dabble in the arts are really generous and great people. Be it you sing, draw, paint, mould, bend, sing, play, act, or shoot, the basic intention or motivation of why you do it, is because you want to share. After spending many hours on a painting, you do not just keep it locked up in a cupboard, most likely, you will be running down the streets asking the first person you see what he thinks of it. Art exist only because there is an audience. There is really no point in practicing so hard on your instrument, but you do not perform, or take thousands of pictures, but do not let anyone see them. This is why art makers are so great. I think those who succeed are those who managed to share their great art to a wide audience and receive criticisms. However, some would claim that they work without thought of an audience.
Of course, after the want to share comes other reasons that art makers do what they do. Sometimes, prodigious would say that art chose them, while the more common people say that chose art. Some would succeed, while others who set their goals too high often fell into demise and never got heard of again. For all art makers, it has always been a constant struggle with themselves to produce new works which is refreshing and inspires and also with the external forces to get enough attention for their work. Those at the top would most likely have enough for a nice apartment, while, at the bottom would be those that have barely enough to eat bread or pay for their bills. Regardless of what happen, they are always searching, searching for something which they know only.
Teaching has always been a popular choice for many. Some teach only and some whom have not given up hope, continue to practice their art while teaching. Ultimately, teaching is always a job that pays if art doesn't. For them, at least now the tap in the kitchen is running. Some end up teaching till they retire as they found new inspirations in the career. Educating the future is not always easy, but can be as fulfilling as when somebody praises your work. There are always to be art makers, hungry for knowledge of the real world and their trade. If there happen to be a breakthrough, many would still give it all up to gamble all they got in the particular work. It just be like relighting the flames in their hearts again.
Another important issue would of course be money. Many would think that to choose to make art is to forgo the opportunity of making a lot more money in other trade which would logically mean that you do not value money so much. However, like it or not, money is important, for the art maker, it is also very important, maybe more so. It's no more like the ancient times, where art is made by using clay on cave walls. Nowadays, everything cost money. Money literally decides where you live, where you do your art, how much time and energy you can spend on it, and also what you use for your art. If you are lacking it, time and energy would be spent not just doing your art, but also making money to sustain it. Many who are lucky and worked hard enough, get their work paid for. While others filled with fatigue, eventually lose all hope and give it all up to venture somewhere else.
"Part of the difficulty in trying to be both an artist and a businessperson is this: You make a picture because you have seen something beyond price; then you are to turn and assign to your record of it a cash value. If the selling is not necessarily a contradiction of the truth in the picture, it is so close to being a contradiction- and the truth is always in shades of gray- that you are worn down by the threat."
Sometimes, the money only comes in when the art maker dies. However, this is not always the case, there are always many who have enjoyed life, making their art. The unfortunate few, only to get their work recognize after they past away, often due to lack of publicity, or issues not related to art.
If interested in more in depth writings on the subject, Why People Photograph by Robert Adams is certainly a good read.
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Why do people photograph and painters paint?
From Why People Photograph
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