Photography with a Purpose
For years I regarded photography as a suspect occupation that attracted train spotters and odd people.
I accidentally starting to take photographs in the early 1990's when my boss at Glasgow Caledonian Uni, Alec, asked me to take photographs of student projects that were to be illustrated on floor standing displays at the university open day.
I later borrowed this camera, a 35mm Pentax, and would photograph almost anything as my enthusiasm was unlimited and I read every photography book I could find. I also studied the physics of camera construction and the workings of optics but I had yet to find a purpose for my photography.
One thing I am glad about is that I stopped reading technical specifications and marketing literature.
Instead I just carried on taking photographs because that is what I felt I was born to do.
There was no point in trying to learn everything technical so I took note of the photographic styles I liked and made the conscious decision that, for me, photography would be interesting, fun and rewarding.
I always used to ask "what is good photography?" and I found some answers.
Reading books by great landscape photographers like Ansel Adams and Charlie Waite were a revelation because I realised that there were other people who loved can cared about the landscape.
Today I ask "what makes great photography?" and all I need to do is go on Google and find lots of examples from great photographers around the world.
It is great to have access to the work of other landscape photographers because you discover people who have a niche that is similar to your own. If you ever doubt the wisdom of developing a particular style then you can rest assured because you can easily find someone out there who is already working in that style and it will re-inforce your belief.
There has never been a better time than now to take advantage of the internet and use it to promote your own work. There is a huge demand for images, illustrated articles and tutorials. Designers of all types need images that will visually explain intellectual concepts clearly.
The internet has opened up a worldwide market and it is breathtaking to think of the advantages that photographers have now compared to 15 years ago. All that was a lifetime ago and it is now possible for a photographer to practice graphic design and web design if they have the wish to do so. Photoshop is not only used for editing photographs and now photographers can at last become serious artists or visual communicators.
As well as being capable of producing good photography we need to find a purpose for it. There are stock agencies galore and printed magazines that all have lists of topics that they need pictures of.
In the end there is a market for your pictures and if you can find that market then you have a purpose for your photography. There is no need to work with galleries and pay out the huge commissions they demand for selling your work.
