I am not sure what to say; I guess I could talk about my
photography and myself. I would have to rant and rave but
make it seem that someone else is doing the ranting and
raving, that way it would seem that I am not boasting. This
would be hard to do for me since there are many fine
photographers out there, even if they have one good shot. A
professional photographer to me is not just one who says "I
won this prize" or "I won that contest", the professional
would be the one that does it out of love for the art. It
would not matter to this one to make a load of money and to
have their name in some big paper; it would be that they
are able to see with their camera something new in
something that is old. These photographers would not quit
learning after a while and begin to think “I have learned
all I could”. These photographers would find new ways to
look at the world around them. They would know there tools
and use them fast with out wondering "Did I get the shot"
then look at the image on the screen and if they do not
like it "Delete", mean while all has passed by in front of
them. Of course tools of photography are good, but dividing
gear into categories such as amateur, semi-pro and
professional strikes me as a way to make money and the most
disgusting, divide photographers. Some of the greatest
images know in the world have been with light on film, no
in-betweens. Direct contact prints have been made with
nothing more than film, paper and my favorite, sunlight.
Many great images have been made by use of a point and
shoot throwaway camera and a good eye. Any photographer
that is good at capturing a moment in their little box will
also be sure that the finished print will look just as
good, without molesting the image. It will be a given that
any photographer that loves the medium, will make sure
their finished prints are the best they have made and will
last longer than they will.
The prints are the photographer’s memories, painted by the
sun and protected only by thin glass. Of course the
chemical process and a thorough washing of the print are
most handy.
I do not know about everything there is under the sun about
photography, I let the sun paint the pictures that are
already there and catch them in my little box.
Thank you for your time.
Shawn E.
