Another great piece of writing and perspective, Gill. As always. I totally agree that a good image has nothing to do with the technical aspects, it’s how it makes us feel as a photographer and the viewer feel as well. You know somewhere deep inside you when you have a good image, either in the field or back at your desk. It’s that “oh yes, I like that” moment.
Over the years I’ve come to accept that these don’t appear every time you get your camera out. With patience however, they will and when they don’t, well you are just practicing and keeping your creative muscles warm until the next one.
I completely agree - that 'oh yes' moment is one of the reasons I love photography. They don't come along that often but when they do it is so exciting.
Gill, I think you are setting the bar for "good" a little high. I would say those images that resonate in some dynamic, captivating way are great images. They are rare beasts and often come along when least expected, when some unknown alchemy produces something far greater than the sum of the parts. All the images you publish are good photos - they are taken and published to serve an intent. I am a firm believer that consistently getting out there, enjoying the process and producing good images while inevitably produce great images. And many a reputation has been based on relatively few great images.
Thank you for your comments James. I agree with what you say and do think that I am being hard on myself although this often comes from self imposed pressure. It is true that getting out there consistently will produce good images, although sometimes I feel I need a little more direction than making single images creates.
Beautiful writing Gill. I'm very guilty of being out every day and keeping a diary of what I do. I love being out but of course it means I won't produce great images every single time.
When I look at some people's portfolios or Instagram feeds they look much "better" than mine but of course they are usually selected images made over extended periods of time.
I always long for autumn and winter storms whereas your summer peaceful calm scenes look beautiful to me.
I love the fact that you go out and keep a diary of where you've been and what you do. I do something similar and love the little extra that the written words add to the images.
Lots of photographers don't enjoy summer from an image making point of view but I love the flowers and the colours and try to bring that to my photography at this time of year - especially as winter on the east coast can be very grey!
I think I agree with everything you are saying here. I am glad that you are sharing the images that you took even though you don’t think of them as a photograph with “deeper meaning”. Sometimes the meaning to me lies in simply sharing some beauty with others, and that’s ok.
However, I completely understand the feeling of being dissatisfied with images even if the image itself is a beautiful image. I completely understand the desire to express more and create something deeper. I think we cannot always be doing that kind of work because we need breaks and creative nourishment. We need times in our creative journeys to process and reflect on life. And then eventually we will turn that into art again which then will create connection between the photographer and the viewer.
Thank you so much for your comments Manuela, they resonated with me a lot. I agree - it is not possible to produce meaningful work all the time and you are right we do need to give ourselves a break to nourish our creativity. Sometimes I am not good with that part and feel that I am not working properly if I am not producing something with meaning. It is a flaw that I need to work on 🙂
Excellent and thought-provoking. You write, "So maybe this is why I am feeling a little lost with my image making. At the moment, in this space between projects, my work has no direction or meaning. Beyond communicating my love of nature and place, I have nothing to say. Yet." That's something both enthusiasts and professionals face. Do we have a theme? A random voice? A purpose? Or, is it just the joy of creation? I don't know, but looking forward to your journey.
Wonderful, thought-provoking article, Gil! Over the years, I’ve found that I go back and forth between needing to produce “meaningful” work and simply using photography to help me connect more deeply with the world around me. Being in nature with my camera can put me in a state of flow that I find so nourishing, and whether there are images worth sharing afterward is a secondary concern. For me, it’s often like sitting down with a sketchbook, simply capturing my experience of seeing the world.
Thank you very much Todd, I am glad you enjoyed it. I think I have a very similar mindset to you. I like to try and produce meaningful work but sometime just being out in nature with the camera is enough. I love the idea of a sketchbook and have often referred to my image making in those terms.
Alternate Monday already! Drawn in by your narrative and knowing exactly where you were, right the boat wreck, then about turn, I thought why don't you look towards the Church and catch the light there? Low and behold as I read on, that image jumps out!
It is an interesting question, and I think what we are all learning as part of the connections project is we all see things differently! Like art, images are in the eye of the beholder. For us who do not make a living from photography or our art, we are freer to just shoot what we want , like and are happy with, for us does it really matter if it's good work or a good image, as long as we like it? With self critique, and the fact that every day is a school day there is always something to improve on!
For us within the connections project the proof of whether our images or work is good will come with the book and exhibition, let us hope so!
Thank you very much for your comments Chris. We definitely all see things differently which is why we should never class an image as bad just because we don't like it. I think that is part of what makes photography so interesting - the different ways in which we all react to the same scene. Photography is all about self expression and our different ways of seeing should be celebrated - which is what I hope the connection project will achieve.
Gill, this piece is really making me think. First, a good image may be defined a bit differently based on the genre. What's good for photojournalism may be a bit different than for artistic photography. Since we are speaking mostly of the artistic, I'd suggest that technical aspects might come secondary, and a 'good' photo is simply one that conveys emotion or a unique vision well.
Up until recently I've thought about my photos as stand alone creations. I do find those photos satisfying, but many times I'll see one and its almost as if there is still more about the scene I want to say, having been there. Probably because of your influence, I'm now thinking of each of my backpacking trips as a photography 'project.' I'm really enjoying photographing the smaller scenes along the way and behind the scene elements in addition to the main attractions. Its still a learning process and I'm still fumbling with a way to present these projects, though.
Thank you for writing this, it is helping me consider elements and directions in photography I probably wouldn't otherwise!
Thank you very much for your comments Erik, I am glad you enjoyed the post and it inspired some thought. I think you make a good point about a good image being defined by its genre - I hadn't really considered that.
It is interesting what you say about your photography and stand alone images. That is how I always used to work, but I find it much more satisfying these days to work in projects - even if they are only small.
I think your backpacking trips make great projects and mixing up the wider scenes with some smaller details is a great way to document a journey.
Thanks. Unfortunately, Substack isn't the best place for these types of projects just because the layout for photos is so limited. I've been working on re-purposing some of my old series into zines, but haven't quite got that ironed out yet.
Thank you for this post Gill. I’m just starting out on my journey from a casual photographer to somebody who feels I have a deep well of creativity in me that I need to give space to and starting to use my camera to do so. Up to this point I think I’ve just been enjoying being in a flow state with my camera in hand and being mesmerised again by the process of film photography. I hadn’t really even thought about standalone images vs a project or a theme. I guess it’s still early days for me in refining the craft and finding what interests and inspires me. Enjoyed reading your post - food for future thought.
Another great piece of writing and perspective, Gill. As always. I totally agree that a good image has nothing to do with the technical aspects, it’s how it makes us feel as a photographer and the viewer feel as well. You know somewhere deep inside you when you have a good image, either in the field or back at your desk. It’s that “oh yes, I like that” moment.
Over the years I’ve come to accept that these don’t appear every time you get your camera out. With patience however, they will and when they don’t, well you are just practicing and keeping your creative muscles warm until the next one.
Thank you very much for your comments Giles.
I completely agree - that 'oh yes' moment is one of the reasons I love photography. They don't come along that often but when they do it is so exciting.
a good image is one that speaks to me, is as simple as. and yes there is a distinction between creating a good image and good work
Thank you for your comments - I agree 🙂
Gill, I think you are setting the bar for "good" a little high. I would say those images that resonate in some dynamic, captivating way are great images. They are rare beasts and often come along when least expected, when some unknown alchemy produces something far greater than the sum of the parts. All the images you publish are good photos - they are taken and published to serve an intent. I am a firm believer that consistently getting out there, enjoying the process and producing good images while inevitably produce great images. And many a reputation has been based on relatively few great images.
Thank you for your comments James. I agree with what you say and do think that I am being hard on myself although this often comes from self imposed pressure. It is true that getting out there consistently will produce good images, although sometimes I feel I need a little more direction than making single images creates.
Beautiful writing Gill. I'm very guilty of being out every day and keeping a diary of what I do. I love being out but of course it means I won't produce great images every single time.
When I look at some people's portfolios or Instagram feeds they look much "better" than mine but of course they are usually selected images made over extended periods of time.
I always long for autumn and winter storms whereas your summer peaceful calm scenes look beautiful to me.
Thank you very much for your comments Peter.
I love the fact that you go out and keep a diary of where you've been and what you do. I do something similar and love the little extra that the written words add to the images.
Lots of photographers don't enjoy summer from an image making point of view but I love the flowers and the colours and try to bring that to my photography at this time of year - especially as winter on the east coast can be very grey!
I think I agree with everything you are saying here. I am glad that you are sharing the images that you took even though you don’t think of them as a photograph with “deeper meaning”. Sometimes the meaning to me lies in simply sharing some beauty with others, and that’s ok.
However, I completely understand the feeling of being dissatisfied with images even if the image itself is a beautiful image. I completely understand the desire to express more and create something deeper. I think we cannot always be doing that kind of work because we need breaks and creative nourishment. We need times in our creative journeys to process and reflect on life. And then eventually we will turn that into art again which then will create connection between the photographer and the viewer.
Thank you so much for your comments Manuela, they resonated with me a lot. I agree - it is not possible to produce meaningful work all the time and you are right we do need to give ourselves a break to nourish our creativity. Sometimes I am not good with that part and feel that I am not working properly if I am not producing something with meaning. It is a flaw that I need to work on 🙂
It is hard for me, too.
Excellent and thought-provoking. You write, "So maybe this is why I am feeling a little lost with my image making. At the moment, in this space between projects, my work has no direction or meaning. Beyond communicating my love of nature and place, I have nothing to say. Yet." That's something both enthusiasts and professionals face. Do we have a theme? A random voice? A purpose? Or, is it just the joy of creation? I don't know, but looking forward to your journey.
Thank you Robert - interesting question and one I struggle with from time to time.
I am glad you enjoyed the article and thank you for your comments.
Wonderful, thought-provoking article, Gil! Over the years, I’ve found that I go back and forth between needing to produce “meaningful” work and simply using photography to help me connect more deeply with the world around me. Being in nature with my camera can put me in a state of flow that I find so nourishing, and whether there are images worth sharing afterward is a secondary concern. For me, it’s often like sitting down with a sketchbook, simply capturing my experience of seeing the world.
Thank you very much Todd, I am glad you enjoyed it. I think I have a very similar mindset to you. I like to try and produce meaningful work but sometime just being out in nature with the camera is enough. I love the idea of a sketchbook and have often referred to my image making in those terms.
Alternate Monday already! Drawn in by your narrative and knowing exactly where you were, right the boat wreck, then about turn, I thought why don't you look towards the Church and catch the light there? Low and behold as I read on, that image jumps out!
It is an interesting question, and I think what we are all learning as part of the connections project is we all see things differently! Like art, images are in the eye of the beholder. For us who do not make a living from photography or our art, we are freer to just shoot what we want , like and are happy with, for us does it really matter if it's good work or a good image, as long as we like it? With self critique, and the fact that every day is a school day there is always something to improve on!
For us within the connections project the proof of whether our images or work is good will come with the book and exhibition, let us hope so!
Thank you very much for your comments Chris. We definitely all see things differently which is why we should never class an image as bad just because we don't like it. I think that is part of what makes photography so interesting - the different ways in which we all react to the same scene. Photography is all about self expression and our different ways of seeing should be celebrated - which is what I hope the connection project will achieve.
Gill, to date I think the project has very much already achieved it, certainly for me, can't wait to see the book!
Thank you Chris, I am glad you think so 🙂
Gill, this piece is really making me think. First, a good image may be defined a bit differently based on the genre. What's good for photojournalism may be a bit different than for artistic photography. Since we are speaking mostly of the artistic, I'd suggest that technical aspects might come secondary, and a 'good' photo is simply one that conveys emotion or a unique vision well.
Up until recently I've thought about my photos as stand alone creations. I do find those photos satisfying, but many times I'll see one and its almost as if there is still more about the scene I want to say, having been there. Probably because of your influence, I'm now thinking of each of my backpacking trips as a photography 'project.' I'm really enjoying photographing the smaller scenes along the way and behind the scene elements in addition to the main attractions. Its still a learning process and I'm still fumbling with a way to present these projects, though.
Thank you for writing this, it is helping me consider elements and directions in photography I probably wouldn't otherwise!
Thank you very much for your comments Erik, I am glad you enjoyed the post and it inspired some thought. I think you make a good point about a good image being defined by its genre - I hadn't really considered that.
It is interesting what you say about your photography and stand alone images. That is how I always used to work, but I find it much more satisfying these days to work in projects - even if they are only small.
I think your backpacking trips make great projects and mixing up the wider scenes with some smaller details is a great way to document a journey.
Thanks. Unfortunately, Substack isn't the best place for these types of projects just because the layout for photos is so limited. I've been working on re-purposing some of my old series into zines, but haven't quite got that ironed out yet.
That sounds brilliant Erik, I think zines are a great way to display projects. I look forward to seeing what you produce.
Thank you for this post Gill. I’m just starting out on my journey from a casual photographer to somebody who feels I have a deep well of creativity in me that I need to give space to and starting to use my camera to do so. Up to this point I think I’ve just been enjoying being in a flow state with my camera in hand and being mesmerised again by the process of film photography. I hadn’t really even thought about standalone images vs a project or a theme. I guess it’s still early days for me in refining the craft and finding what interests and inspires me. Enjoyed reading your post - food for future thought.