In Search Of Novelty

When I was active on social media a few years ago, I always felt an urge to replicate other photographers’ shots. Sometimes I would go to the exact same spot, frame the same composition, edit it in the same way, and post it with the thought of garnishing a bunch of likes and new followers. Instead of finding my own visions, I just copied my friends or other photographers, “riding the bandwagon”.

Now that I look back, I realize there was no substance at all in those photos. There was no meaning because I didn’t spend any effort to get it, or I was only doing it because it was popular at the time, despite the photo being considered spectacular and visually pleasing. One of the main reasons I stopped using social media altogether was because I believe it was impeding my creativity, and creativity is what drives me as an artist.

The more I focus on my own vision, the more I understand why I do photography. It has nothing to do with sharing to get popular or to make money. It was for the simple joy of exploring somewhere new and photographing something I have never seen before; it was my way of seeing the world. I found the more work I put into making a photo, the more satisfaction I got out of it, without needing any validation from anyone.

The more I discover, the more I learn that I have barely explored much of my home state, let alone this country. Exposing myself to social media feeds creates the illusion that everything has been done already, and the only interesting places are those that get shared over and over again. Nowadays, rather than scroll through Instagram, I spend hours scouring Google Maps, searching for a new road, trail, or a remote campsite. Often times I would discover an interesting location or even a state park that I’ve never seen or heard of. Sometimes I don’t even plan for an exact location, I just tell myself this general area at this time, and see what we get. It’s this effort that I believe keeps my art pure, the photograph is a true representation of my experience, and makes my portfolio not the same as a million other photographers. Some of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken were stumbled upon unexpectedly or by chance. I often keep the exact location of my photos undisclosed, not because I’m selfish but because I want someone feel the same satisfaction I did when I found it. I encourage you to find new places, to hike further, to drive longer, to discover based on your own intuition.

July 24, 2020 | Photography & Art