Oof - this hit hard as I could have written these exact words. My time has become more limited and therefore so has my photography. Note to self: avoid overthinking every frame.
Hi Kyle, I feel you on this one and I write about this topic often, especially as balancing needs versus obligations stands against the ticking clock. I'm working toward a much more freeing concept of photographing just because and watching how it all unfolds. It sends my socially-constructed driven self crazy but ultimately, it makes for better art.
Thx for including the publishing vid as well. Lots of good info. Have you written anywhere on the "business" of photo book publishing? For instance, how was your project financed? It looks to be a fairly expensive, meaning high/quality, final book. Thx again.
Cheers, Mark. That’s not something that I’ve written about before. But if you’re curious, I actually ran a crowd funding style campaign to fund the book, which helped with the upfront costs.
Thank you, Kyle, for sharing your thoughts and reflections with us. I find your insights inspiring. When it comes to naming your projects or forming initial ideas for specific photos, I believe these shouldn’t limit you from exploring further. Perhaps allowing the project to evolve naturally could lead to unexpected opportunities.
Incidentally, there’s an interesting interview with Alec Soth on Matt Day’s YouTube channel where he discusses a similar challenge—he finds that when he talks about a project too early, it can create a sense of commitment that limits the project’s potential to evolve. It might be worth a watch!
Kyle: Thanks for sharing your struggle balancing creativity and purpose. Since retiring, photography has become my avocation. I suppose in retirement it’s easy to get hung up on what your purpose is now that you’re not gainfully employed. I do go through times when I wonder if my photography is a frivolous pursuit. But then I realize that I get great joy from creating new work and learning new things. If my work brings a smile to someone’s face or evokes a positive emotional response that is the icing on the cake.
Hi Kyle, I regularly go out and take pictures for fun and mainly for myself. I will choose 4 or more photos and put them on Substack or sometimes on Facebook. I'll be happy if someone is interested, if not, that's fine. I don't want to give myself any deadlines because I know it limits me. I photograph and publish when I feel free. Thank you and all the best!
Great read. I find the overthinking stops me getting any project off the ground. If I leave to long constructing and planning in my head, a new idea comes along and takes over. I'm trying to really focus and see through my projects so I can begin a 'journey' and see where it goes.
Great article Kyle. Its good to know that we all go through the same "process" so to speak. Currently am working on a project documenting british remnants in Malta. Honestly, I just went out once and came back with no keepers but learnt a lot how to better tweak my shooting (or at least I hope so). I wish it rained here to take moody images but the sun is out 99% of the time so I will probably have to accept that my images will be taken a bit differently. Having said that, moving forward I am trying to allow myself to trust the process and shoot. Maybe I will not have fantastic images but at least I would have captured by feeling. Well to put it simply, we are all on a journey of self discovery through photography. What is most important is that we learn about ourselves in the process. Whatever comes after is the product of our experience and mindset. Or something like that anyway :D
I found I was asking myself the same question recently. What has got me over the hump is a shift in editing style, which is more conducive with the type of photos I take today, versus the type of photos I used to take.
I also started a Substack, which acts a bit like a photography project, but is more of a journal. No pressure. Just take photos when I feel like it and share a few words for context. The important thing for me is the sharing. That goes somewhat to answering the question of “why?”.
Oof - this hit hard as I could have written these exact words. My time has become more limited and therefore so has my photography. Note to self: avoid overthinking every frame.
Hi Kyle, I feel you on this one and I write about this topic often, especially as balancing needs versus obligations stands against the ticking clock. I'm working toward a much more freeing concept of photographing just because and watching how it all unfolds. It sends my socially-constructed driven self crazy but ultimately, it makes for better art.
Cheers, Juliette. I think that’s often where the magic is—when we let go a bit and don’t try and figure it all out right away.
Thx for including the publishing vid as well. Lots of good info. Have you written anywhere on the "business" of photo book publishing? For instance, how was your project financed? It looks to be a fairly expensive, meaning high/quality, final book. Thx again.
Cheers, Mark. That’s not something that I’ve written about before. But if you’re curious, I actually ran a crowd funding style campaign to fund the book, which helped with the upfront costs.
Glad you found your motivation again. For me, the process of photography (rather than the images that result from it) is often just as rewarding 🍻
I feel you. All the best for some joyful (and “purposeless”) photography time in your future.
Thank you, Kyle, for sharing your thoughts and reflections with us. I find your insights inspiring. When it comes to naming your projects or forming initial ideas for specific photos, I believe these shouldn’t limit you from exploring further. Perhaps allowing the project to evolve naturally could lead to unexpected opportunities.
Incidentally, there’s an interesting interview with Alec Soth on Matt Day’s YouTube channel where he discusses a similar challenge—he finds that when he talks about a project too early, it can create a sense of commitment that limits the project’s potential to evolve. It might be worth a watch!
Cheers, Marco
Loved this, dude. Been a big inspiration behind starting Ground(ed) Glass
Glad you enjoyed this one. I’ll check out yours!
Kyle: Thanks for sharing your struggle balancing creativity and purpose. Since retiring, photography has become my avocation. I suppose in retirement it’s easy to get hung up on what your purpose is now that you’re not gainfully employed. I do go through times when I wonder if my photography is a frivolous pursuit. But then I realize that I get great joy from creating new work and learning new things. If my work brings a smile to someone’s face or evokes a positive emotional response that is the icing on the cake.
The process is so important, Tom. The enjoyment it brings, and the challenges. I’m trying to embrace it as much as possible.
Hi Kyle, I regularly go out and take pictures for fun and mainly for myself. I will choose 4 or more photos and put them on Substack or sometimes on Facebook. I'll be happy if someone is interested, if not, that's fine. I don't want to give myself any deadlines because I know it limits me. I photograph and publish when I feel free. Thank you and all the best!
Great read. I find the overthinking stops me getting any project off the ground. If I leave to long constructing and planning in my head, a new idea comes along and takes over. I'm trying to really focus and see through my projects so I can begin a 'journey' and see where it goes.
Very inspirational
Great article Kyle. Its good to know that we all go through the same "process" so to speak. Currently am working on a project documenting british remnants in Malta. Honestly, I just went out once and came back with no keepers but learnt a lot how to better tweak my shooting (or at least I hope so). I wish it rained here to take moody images but the sun is out 99% of the time so I will probably have to accept that my images will be taken a bit differently. Having said that, moving forward I am trying to allow myself to trust the process and shoot. Maybe I will not have fantastic images but at least I would have captured by feeling. Well to put it simply, we are all on a journey of self discovery through photography. What is most important is that we learn about ourselves in the process. Whatever comes after is the product of our experience and mindset. Or something like that anyway :D
Excellent piece, Kyle.
I found I was asking myself the same question recently. What has got me over the hump is a shift in editing style, which is more conducive with the type of photos I take today, versus the type of photos I used to take.
I also started a Substack, which acts a bit like a photography project, but is more of a journal. No pressure. Just take photos when I feel like it and share a few words for context. The important thing for me is the sharing. That goes somewhat to answering the question of “why?”.
In case you’re interested: https://danialsturgetwo.substack.com