In a previous post I said that photography requires technical skills (knowing how your camera works), visual design skills (seeing), and voice (something to say).
Do you know what you have to say through your photography? Do you believe you have a unique essence and therefore a unique voice? I do. Even if you photograph for the fun of it, for the experience of being in the moment, that says something about you.
What you’re drawn to photograph comes from a combination of your intrinsic nature and experiences.
Through offering photography workshops, I’ve observed the following:
- Many photographers don’t trust their own instincts. They admire other photographers and try to emulate them. They photograph what they think others will “like.”
- They don’t see how their photography is or can be different or unique.
- They believe that with the right equipment and the right classes they will learn how to photograph.
Does this resonate with you?
The technical skills are important, however, not enough time is spent on discovering why you photograph and what you are saying. Trust that you have something to say. What resonates with you is important and deserves to be explored. Get curious about it.
Mary Oliver’s poem, The Journey, is one of my favourites and is all about trusting yourself. These words in particular can be applied to photography.
Little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world, determined to do the only thing you could do.
The image of ferns at the top of this post was one of the first where I said to myself – this is me. The softness, the curving lines, the colour – all touch me deeply. I call it Fern Dance, because to me it is about relationship and how everything connects.
Which photograph would you say is you through and through?
How to Start Discovering you Voice
- Photograph every day and notice what resonates in your body. Do you see themes or patterns in your photography?
- Each month, choose a favourite photo from the month. By the end of the year, you will have 12 photographs that say a lot about you and what’s important to you.
- Choose 5 of your most recent favourite photographs. Study them in terms of composition and emotional impact. What stories are they telling? What do they say about you and what’s important to you?
- Most importantly, share the photographs you love most without worrying about whether anyone else approves. This practice will help you learn to trust yourself.
“The thing a photographer should be doing is asking herself (or himself) why is she doing this? Why do you photograph anything?” ~ Mark O’Brien, Finding Your Photographic Voice
Trust your inner self and you will unveil a magical world not seen in quite the same way by anyone but you.
I love the fern dance composition, Kim and it’s so nice that you can see how it is you. It’s a good exercise in recognizing ourselves and our style. I will remember to do a similar exercise sometime soon.
I like the poem by Mary Oliver about finding your voice. Now I will go and read all your interesting links you have included here!
Oh, yes – that Mary Oliver poem is one of my all-time favorites – such an inspirational message about finding your own voice in all aspects of life. Your “Fern Dance” image is very clearly a “Kim” image – a wondrous ode to nature and color and line and texture.
This is a great post Kim and I thank you for the links you collected and shared. I gravitate to articles like this as I am slowly working towards developing (and even recognizing) my unique voice and vision. Fern Dance has always been one of my favorite images of yours.
I can happily spend a good deal of time noticing and admiring photos by others that I love. What you say is very true, that taking the time to do this with our own images can be a rewarding exercise. Sometimes it’s good to look at photos we love and remind ourselves that these are our own creations, that we saw and captured this moment, this beauty. I don’t know why we tend to get so caught up in doing things right that we forget to simply respond, but I am glad your words and teachings always pull me back to that.