Personal #1

I had the opportunity to help provide 7th Term reviews at Art Center, one of the leading schools of photography in the country. It was an opportunity to provide comments and suggestions to students who will be soon graduating and entering the marketplace as professional photographers.

I saw some great work, but what surprised me the most was that most of the students didn't recognize their own strengths. They were all good photographers, but they were sometimes very surprised to hear that some of the things that they took for granted, a particular way of seeing, was really exceptional. I suspect that they are so often comparing their work to others that they focus more on what they believe they lack rather than what they have. That really struck home for me.

Though I have been in the photo industry for over 15 years, I have not been a big proponent of my own work. I often see where I am lacking rather than were have strengths. It an issue that's kept me from pursuing my work at a higher, more professional level. Though I regularly got my images published, a goal that many of my students, aspire to, I still felt that the work was not of the kind that I had always aspired to.

I feel that there is a big gap between where I am as a photographer and where I want to be as a photographer. Some days, I feel like it's a chasm, but most days I believe that if I create an opportunity for myself, I can get closer to that goal.

This week, I need to think about how to make it happen. I want more for myself and my work. Exactly what that is and how I am going to get there, is something I will need to figure out.

Today's image is a picture of my dad that I shot today while visiting. He is likely my favorite subject. He's a wonderful man and I love him very much.